The Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development has come under scrutiny after an audit report alleged that it paid N522.49m for firearms and ammunition without sufficient evidence that the items were delivered.
The allegation is contained in the 2024 Annual Report on Non-Compliance and Internal Control Weaknesses in Ministries, Departments and Agencies by the Auditor-General for the Federation.
According to the report, the ministry paid N270.02m through two payment vouchers in January and May 2023 for the procurement of AK rifles, red-dot sights and AK ammunition intended to strengthen security at Nigerian airports.
The auditors, however, said the payments were surrounded by several irregularities.
They noted that there was initially no evidence of approval from the Office of the National Security Adviser for the ammunition procurement, while the company’s quotation and several required due-process documents were missing from the payment vouchers.
The auditors also said there was no Store Receipt Voucher to prove that the firearms had been received by the ministry.
Although the ministry claimed the weapons had been supplied to the armoury of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps headquarters in Abuja for safekeeping, the audit report said there was no supporting evidence that the firearms were actually in NSCDC custody.
The Auditor-General warned that the lapses could expose government funds to the risk of diversion and loss.
The ministry, however, rejected the allegations, insisting that the procurement passed through the required procedures and that all necessary approvals had been obtained.
It said documents including award and acceptance letters, Bureau of Public Procurement reviews, Federal Executive Council approvals, contract agreements and security clearance from the NSA were available to support the transactions.
The auditors were not convinced.
The report said the ministry’s response was “unsatisfactory”, leaving the findings valid until the recommendations are implemented.
The Auditor-General consequently recommended that the Permanent Secretary should account to the Public Accounts Committees of the National Assembly and recover and remit the N270.02m to the Treasury.
Another N252m firearms payment
The report also flagged a separate N252.47m payment made by the ministry for the procurement of sub-machine guns, pistols and ammunition for airport security.
The money was paid through two vouchers dated February 10 and May 23, 2023.
Again, the auditors raised concerns about the supporting documentation and evidence of delivery.
The ministry maintained that the procurement procedures were properly followed and that the required approvals and documents were obtained.
It also submitted additional documents, including a security clearance from the Office of the National Security Adviser and a delivery note forwarded by the Director of Finance and Accounts of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria.
But the Auditor-General again rejected the explanation as unsatisfactory and maintained the finding.
N164m airport control tower contracts under scrutiny
The audit report also raised concerns over the payment of N163.92m to six contractors involved in the construction of control towers at six airports.
Five of the contractors reportedly received N30.95m each, while another received N9.18m in June 2023.
The contracts, valued at about N4.46bn, were awarded in May 2018 but remained incomplete years later, particularly the technical aspects.
The auditors further alleged that agreements relating to five of the projects were executed “by proxy” between the ministry and representatives of UK-based companies.
The report said there was no evidence showing that work had been carried out for the money paid through the representative contractors.
It warned that executing the agreements through proxies could make some of the contract clauses difficult to enforce and expose the government to possible financial losses if the projects defaulted.
The ministry disputed the allegation, saying it had no direct engagement or agreement with the foreign companies.
It explained that the relationship involving the foreign firm was between the six contractors and the company, while assuring that procurement regulations were followed.
The ministry also attributed delays in completing the projects to the release of funds by the Federal Government.
However, the audit findings have raised fresh questions over procurement controls, documentation and accountability within the aviation ministry.
