Minister cries out, alleges disgruntled elements after her

.Over N585.1M vulnerable grant

Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu, has cried out to Nigerians over what she described as “disgruntled elements” trying to stain her hard earned integrity following the Federal Government ongoing 44.8 Billion Fraud investigation in NSIPA.

The minister yesterday said these elements have been trying to link her to a phantom fraud and are behind this latest misadventure by displaying on social media a memo from the ministry to the Accountant-General of the Federation approving for payment, of the sum of N585,189,500.00 Renewed Hope Grant for Vulnerable Groups, (GVGs), for four states, which is currently being circulated in the social media.

In a statement by her Special Assistant on Media, Rasheed Zubair, she explains; “For the avoidance of doubt, the said N585,198,500.00 was approved, and it is meant for the implementation of grants to vulnerable groups in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ogun, and Lagos states.
“We must, however, note that GVG was first launched in Kogi state where recipients testified. Akwa Ibom and Cross River were launched in December 2023, Kogi in November, and others will be launched in the coming weeks.

“The general public is invited to note that the Renewed Hope Grant for Vulnerable Groups is one of the social intervention schemes of the federal government, which is being implemented by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation,” the statement contained.

As issues around the suspension of NSIPA boss, Halima Shehu, her quick replacement in acting capacity by Dr. Akindele Egbuwale of NPower, her detention and subsequent release by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), evolve, the minister is forced to come out and debunk series of similar allegations that has been coming her way.

In this latest development, Dr. Edu is urging Nigerians to discountence these allegations claiming that “It is glaring that the same sponsored disgruntled elements in the past few days have been trying to smear her image and stain her integrity following the Federal Government ongoing 44.8 Billion Fraud in NSIPA.

She insisted that the “Fund for Vulnerable Groups In the four states was approved and went through due Process.
“Oniyelu Bridget is the Project Accountant for GVG from the department of finance and it is legal in civil service for a staff, the project accountant to be paid and use same funds legally and retire same with all receipts and evidence after project or Programme is completed.

“The evil motive of the mischief-makers behind the circulation of the memo is well-known and should be ignored.”