Npower News: How Contractor Refunded ₦30,600,000 Payment

 

According to Npower News, reports have surfaced online of how a Federal Government contractor, Mr. James Okwete, refunded the sum of ₦30,604,651.16 to the Ministry for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation after receiving double payment for a completed contract under ex-Minister, Sadiya Umar Farouq.

According to Npower News, reports obtained from reliable sources showed that the payment was part of a ₦35,000,000 contract for the “Design and Development of N-Knowledge Training Manuals for N-Hardware Beneficiaries North-Central (Lot B17).”

According to Npower News, the contract was given to Mr. James Okwete through his company, Adatech Integrated Services Limited on 29th December, 2020, and announced on 4th January, 2021, under Npower.

The procurement was signed by the Director of Procurement, Mr. F.O Shittu, on behalf of Sadiya Umar Farouq.

According to Npower News, some of the materials procured were: a manual content development to develop a training manual for the N-Tech Hardware track worth ₦5,950,000 and the printing of a training manual for N-Knowledge (hardware track) worth a total of ₦26,608,139.54.

A total of ₦32,558,139.54 together with Value Added Tax (VAT) at 7.5% worth ₦2,441,860, making a grand total of ₦35,000,000.

According to Npower News, in a letter dated April 27th, 2021, the National Social Investment Programme, wrote to the Managing Director, Adatech Integrated Services Limited, informing him of the wrongful double payment of N30,607,651 with respect to the Design and Development of N-Knowledge Training Manuals for N-Hardware Beneficiaries North-Central (Lot B17).

The letter was signed by the Director of Finance and Accounts, National Social Investment Programme (NSIP), Mr. Adaramoye Joseph, for the Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

The document read, “The Managing Director, Adatech Integrated Services Ltd. Suite B, Block C. Commerce Plaza Bhd Old secretariat Area 1. Abuja

“Reference the above subject, please. It was discovered that your company was wrongly paid twice in respect of the above contract to the tune of Thirty million, six hundred and four thousand, six hundred and fifty one Naira, sixteen kobo (₦30,604,651.16) only. The amount was paid twice into your Bank account details below Bank: First Bank of Nigeria plc. Account No: 2021481488

“You should please refund the sum of ₦30,604,651.16 to Account Name: National Social Investment Programme Remitta- RRR GIFMIS CODE-0544003001, NARRATION- Refund of Payment.”

According to Npower News, in response to the request in a letter dated June 23, 2021, Mr James Okwete’s Adatech Integrated Services Limited, wrote to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, acknowledging receipt of the letter and intention to pay back the money.

The document read, “We write to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated April 27th, 2021, and to reassure you of our intention to refund and correct the transaction error from your end.

“The sum of ₦30,604,651.16 was actually received into our account in double credit entry through our First Bank account. However, our Director is not in the country at the moment, he is yet to return from his trip. We assure you by this letter that we will arrange for this payment to be refunded as soon as he arrives in the country in no distant time.

However, a Remita payment document with serial number 1105-5500-0255, which was retrieved, further showed that on October 13th, 2021, Mr James Okwete’s Adatech Integrated Services Limited, paid back the total sum of ₦30,604,812.41 to the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP), Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.

According to Npower News, a copy of the company’s bank statement showing the refunded transaction was also obtained.

Confirming the refund in another letter, Adatech Integrated Services Limited, in a letter signed by the company’s Manager, Mr. Obi Stanley, noted that it attached the refund confirmation and a copy of the refund evidence.

The document reads, “Director, Finance and Accounts, National Social Investment Programme, Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.

“We write to inform you that we have identified and rectified an error regarding the double payments made by your ministry to our company. We are pleased to inform you that we have processed the refund for the duplicate payment, and the amount has been credited to your account on October 31st, 2021.

“We deeply apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused and assure you that it was not our intention to receive duplicate payments. As soon as we discovered the error, we took immediate action to investigate, resolve, and refund the overpayment

“We have attached the following documents for your reference: 1. Award letter with file no: FMHADMSD/PROC/01063/Vol.1/III. 2. Refund Confirmation: A copy of the refund evidence. 3. Bank Statement: A copy of our bank statement highlighting the refund transaction.

“We kindly request a form of confirmation/clarification from the ministry as evidence that the refund has indeed been received. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. We look forward to continuing our positive relationship with your ministry.”

According to Npower News, the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development has been under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged cases of misappropriation of funds.

The major public officials that have been indicted by the anti-graft commission include former Minister in charge of Npower Sadiya Umar Farouq, suspended Minister in charge of Npower, Beta Edu, and suspended former Coordinator, National Social Investment Programme (NSIP) Ms. Halima Shehu.

While Sadiya Umar Farouq is being proven for alleged misappropriation of ₦37,000,000,000, Betta Edu is under investigation for alleged ₦17, 500,000,000 fraud, while Ms. Halima Shehu is being probed for alleged laundering of ₦44,000,000,000, all under the same ministry.

Source: Punch