The Humanitarian Affairs Minister, Dr Betta Edu, has denied allegations that N25Billion purportedly meant for retired military pensioners from the Conditioner Cash Transfer Funds has been given to the Minister of Defence, Muhammed Badaru Abubakar.
This is contained in a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the Minister on Media and Publicity, Rasheed Zubair on Wednesday in Abuja.
Zubair urged the general public to disregard the report which he described as not only fake but a deliberate and malicious attempt by mischief makers and enemies of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration to tarnish the good image of the Minister.
He stated,”The attention of the Honourable Minister For Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu, has been drawn to a fake news item in the media and public spaces alleging N25Billion purportedly meant for the Reitred Military Pensioners from the Conditioner Cash Transfer Funds has been given to the Honourable Minister of Defence, Muhammed Badaru Abubakar.
“The general public is urged to disregard this report as it is not only fake but a deliberate, malicious and insipid attempt by mischief makers, disgruntled elements and enemies of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration to tarnish the image and integrity of the Honourable Minister.
“For the records, at no time did the Honourable Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation give or contemplate giving funds meant for the Pensioners of the Retired Military personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces to Ministers or Ministries.
“For the avoidance of doubt, 17,077 Veterans, and 264,560 Pensioners list were submitted to National Social Safety-Nets Coordinating Office
(NASSCO), in the third week of November and the process of in-person verification of the names submitted by the Nigerian Legion and the Pensioners group is still ongoing.”
Zubair added,”Similarly, the office responsible for the verification of the register under the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation is doing a painstaking job, of working with the World Bank. All the captured retired veterans who meet the criteria and pensioners will be paid once the rigorous verification exercise is completed.
“The Members of the public ,especially the media are hereby informed by this press release that the ministry has not released or planning to release any money meant for the Renewed Hope Cash Transfer to any individual or group.
“In line with the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, all funds upon confirmation of the beneficiaries’ details, are to be sent directly to them through their bank accounts and are verifiable.
“The good intention of Mr President to expand the National Social Register and commence payment of the N25,000 for three months to accommodate the veterans of the Nigerian Armed Forces, which is a novel idea and the first of its kind in the history of Nigeria, should be appreciated by Nigerians and not allow themselves to be distracted or misinformed by naysayers.”
