El-Rufai defends N20m pay for two appointees
From Okumephuna Chukwunwike (Abuja)
FEDERAL Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai yesterday defended his payment of over N20 million as emolument and allowances to two political appointees in his office.
El-Rufai, who was queried about two months ago by the Senate over the payment, said: "It is an incentive to boost the morale of Nigerians in Diaspora who want to contribute to the nation's development."
The minister, who said that the amount was truly removed from the accounts of the FCT Ministry for the payment, added that the intention was to pay back later when World Bank, which is in charge of their payment, pays back.
According to him, the two staff Miss Aishatu Kolo and Dr. Abdu Mukhtar, are among Nigerians in Diaspora who are being encouraged by President Olusegun Obasanjo under a World Bank initiative to render their professional services to the nation.
He admitted that the two staff were really moved from the Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE) to the Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory due to their expertise and professional service when he was appointed the minister in-charge of the ministry.
His words: "When I brought my assistants, Aishatu and Mukhtar, from the BPE to the Ministry, they are already being paid under a World Bank programme.
"I transferred them to the Ministry to work with me. What I requested the government to do was to continue to pay them through the BPE till I get an alternative funding and I knew I will get it.
"Even the Vice President Atiku Abubakar directed that they should be paid. Of course, my predecessor in BPE didn't want to pay them because he felt they are not working there and kept playing hide and seek game.
"So, these young lady and gentleman worked for six months without pay because the leadership in BPE didn't want to pay them."
El-Rufai, who spoke during a Nigerian Television Authority's (NTA) programme, Platform, said he contacted the Permanent Secretary and both worked out the arrangement by which the services of the two staff were retained.
"Somebody later went to tell Ibrahim Mantu and he got the Senate Committee to investigate me. I have taken the position and it's a cross I have to carry," he said.
The minister also opined that his act stands justified "since there is nothing in paying people well."
The minister further said: "What's wrong in paying people well. People that happen to be very good and my office is functioning. We are doing certain things because I have people with brain and experience. I have no apology for that. I think as a country, we are full of envy.
"Some people took something that is straight and make it controversial. It is quite unfortunate. If we want the Nigerians in Diaspora to come back, we should be able to make things easier for them."
