Allegations of a stolen N750 million from the coffers of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria ( FAAN) has been doscovered to be untrue since no funds to the tune of any amount was approved or ever went missing due to a fraudulent contract in the agency.
An online medium had reported an alleged stolen amount of N750m through fraudulent contract scheme orchestrated to indict top officials of the airport authority but a highly placed source within the industry who spoke to our reporter under conditions of anonymity said the only procurement issue was in February this year (2020).
But investigations by africanbusinesstravel.com.ng revealed that the Managing Director, Capt Hamisu Rabiu Yadudu himself, had discovered and queried some procurement documents in February 2020. When the answers to the queries were found unsatisfactory, an investigation was launched and the staff found wanting were suspended, and later replaced in their official capacities.
The recommendations of the management investigation have since been forwarded to Federal Ministry of Aviation in June 2020.
All these are fully documented and in line with Federal Civil Service procedures.
Our source also said that some of the names mentioned in the story making rounds, had no bearing in the failed attempt at all.
The source therefore enjoined investigative reporters to cross-check their stories and get factual information instead of smearing images of innocent members of staff and or settling personal scores.
According to our source, the accusation of the theft was just a low and unsubstantiated blow that would have been better clarified instead of going out to run the organisation down.
It said, ” it was a failed attempt to undermine the integrity of our Procurement process; is not a theft, there was never any theft…”
Also speaking on the matter of the unions, another source in FAAN said due to paucity of funds, management decided to ease the burden of expenditures for all nembe4s staff in view of the Salah coming up on Friday, by paying half salary to all senior staff only, with the balance to be paid next week. All FAAN junior staff (GLs 01 – 07) were paid their full salaries. 100 percent.
“A notice to this effect was on all FAAN staff platforms since yesterday… and the unions later got to know of it.”
