Minister of Women Affairs Defends N1.5m Convoy Fuel Expense Amidst Parliamentary Scrutiny
The Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, justified the expenditure of N1.5 million on fuel for her convoy during a recent trip to Anambra State.
The minister made these remarks during an appearance on national television, addressing recent criticisms leveled against her ministry’s expenditure.
The controversy arose following a contentious session with members of the House of Representatives, who questioned various expenditures within the ministry, including N45 million allocated for a New Year party, N20 million for sanitary pads, and the aforementioned N1.5 million fuel expense.
Kennedy-Ohanenye expressed incredulity at the scrutiny, asserting, “What is N1.5 million for those cars? Everybody knows how much fuel costs since I came in.” She detailed the composition of her convoy, comprising staff buses, security vehicles from the DSS and police, along with her personal and backup vehicles, totaling six in all.
Responding to allegations regarding the N45 million party expenditure approved under her predecessor, Kennedy-Ohanenye clarified that the event had been organized before her tenure began.
She highlighted that funds were allocated for hosting 33 schools in the Federal Capital Territory, where students received school bags worth N15,000 each, among other provisions.
“I always fought for new narratives since I came; this was partly one of the things I never would have tolerated as a minister. But my hands were tied,” she remarked, distancing herself from decisions made prior to her assuming office.
The minister’s comments underscore ongoing debates over government spending transparency and accountability, particularly within ministerial budgets and project executions.
