Senate queries Environment Ministry over 55 ‘missing’ govt vehicles

Nigerian on Thursday quizzed the Ministry of Environment over 55 government vehicles allegedly missing from the ministry.

The Chairman of Senate Public Accounts Committee, Senator Mathew Urhoghide conducted the probe based on the 2018 Auditor General’s report.

“Audit observed that 55 vehicles were not presented for physical inspection; all efforts to inspect and confirm their existence proved abortive and the exact location of these vehicles could not be ascertained.

“We are aware that some officers take ministry vehicles away with them when going on transfer or retirement. The audit further observed that the motor vehicles’ logbooks had not been updated, making it difficult to track the movement of these vehicles and track their record of maintenance.

“It is also noted that some official vehicles carry private number plates and registered numbers. The above anomalies are because of failure on the part of the management to ensure proper record keeping, due process in the ministry.

“The Permanent Secretary should account for the 55 vehicles not presented during the audit. He should also be sanctioned in accordance with the provision of FR3129,” the report read.

Facing the Senate panel on the committee, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Abel Olumuyiwa, was unable to defend the alleged crime.

Olumuyiwa, during the probe, presented some vehicles as part of the alleged missing one, but the lawmakers rejected them on the grounds that the vehicles the permanent secretary presented had no chassis number.

Consequently, the panel sustained the query of the Auditor General against the Ministry of Environment.