Paucity of funds has hit Nigerian Missions abroad with a
number of embassies unable to meet basic responsibilities like the payment of
staff salaries, as well as electricity and telephone bills.
number of embassies unable to meet basic responsibilities like the payment of
staff salaries, as well as electricity and telephone bills.
Saturday PUNCH gathered
in Abuja on Thursday that complaints from some of the missions, especially in
Europe and Asia, have become more strident.
in Abuja on Thursday that complaints from some of the missions, especially in
Europe and Asia, have become more strident.
As a temporary measure, some of the
diplomats have resorted to dipping their hands into their personal savings or
using their credit cards to get by.
diplomats have resorted to dipping their hands into their personal savings or
using their credit cards to get by.
The more enterprising ones among
them, especially non-career diplomats, have reached out to their state governors
to advance them funds before remittances are made from Abuja.
them, especially non-career diplomats, have reached out to their state governors
to advance them funds before remittances are made from Abuja.
It was further gathered that some
diplomats in Ireland, Canada, Belgium, Germany, United States, Switzerland and
Japan are worst hit with the high cost of living in their host countries.
diplomats in Ireland, Canada, Belgium, Germany, United States, Switzerland and
Japan are worst hit with the high cost of living in their host countries.
Some allege that salaries have not
been paid since October 2012 due to non-remittance from Abuja.
been paid since October 2012 due to non-remittance from Abuja.
When contacted, the Minister of
Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru said claims that remittances have
not been made since October 2012 were untrue.
Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru said claims that remittances have
not been made since October 2012 were untrue.
He said, “As you are aware, the
ministry is part of government and our budget is tied to the budget of the
federation.
ministry is part of government and our budget is tied to the budget of the
federation.
“The 2013 budget is still being
processed. As we speak, we have received assurances from the Minister of
Finance that everything is being done to ensure that our missions are properly
funded.
processed. As we speak, we have received assurances from the Minister of
Finance that everything is being done to ensure that our missions are properly
funded.
“It is not true that we have not
remitted funds since October, it is absolutely not true.
remitted funds since October, it is absolutely not true.
“I have constantly advised our
officers to ensure the prudent management of the little resources available so that
when there is a little delay they can sustain basic services.”
officers to ensure the prudent management of the little resources available so that
when there is a little delay they can sustain basic services.”
The Nigerian High Commission in
Ottawa, Canada, where former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ojo Maduekwe holds
sway, was so broke in October last year that it could not meet its
financial obligations for two months.
Ottawa, Canada, where former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ojo Maduekwe holds
sway, was so broke in October last year that it could not meet its
financial obligations for two months.
It was learnt that the situation was
so critical that Maduekwe paid a visit to Abuja, where he met with the Minister
of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru.
so critical that Maduekwe paid a visit to Abuja, where he met with the Minister
of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru.
A source at the Nigerian High
Commission, said on the condition of anonymity that it was so embarrassing that
staff, including non- Nigerians working with the embassy, have begun to
complain openly.
Commission, said on the condition of anonymity that it was so embarrassing that
staff, including non- Nigerians working with the embassy, have begun to
complain openly.
The situation in Ottawa is not
different from what obtains in several other Nigerian Missions including
Geneva, Switzerland.
different from what obtains in several other Nigerian Missions including
Geneva, Switzerland.
Source: Punch
