By Modupe Gbadeyanka
President Bola Tinubu has announced the indefinite suspension of the chief executive of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Mr Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad.
A statement issued on Thursday night disclosed that Mr Ahmad was asked to step aside alongside three executive directors of the agency over their alleged involvement in the fraudulent mis-expenditure amounting to over N1.2 billion over the past two years.
Mr Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, who signed the statement, gave the names of the affected directors as Olaniyi Alaba Netufo, the Executive Director for Corporate Services; Barka Sajou, the Executive Director for Technical Services; and Sa’adatu Balgore, the Executive Director for Rural Electrification Fund (REF).
It was disclosed that the action of the President followed new findings unearthed during a comprehensive investigation into the financial activities of the organisation.
Mr Tinubu has now ordered a wider investigation into the conduct of the aforementioned officials in the alleged fraud.
He has appointed Mr Abba Abubakr Aliyu as the acting chief executive of REA, while Ayoade Gboyega is now the Executive Director for Corporate Services, and Umar Abdullahi Umar is the Executive Director for Technical Services, while Doris Uboh is the Executive Director for Rural Electrification Fund (REF), with Olufemi Akinyelure selected as the Head of Project Management Unit, Nigeria Electrification Project.
The notice said President Tinubu expects all appointees in his administration to uphold the highest standards of transparency and accountability in the discharge of their duties and reiterates his determination to elevate the yearnings of Nigerians for good governance and qualitative service delivery above the narrow interests of individuals who are entrusted to provide critical services to the Nigerian people.
Aduragbemi Omiyale