How Oyetola's Blue Economy spent N600million on foreign tripa in 4 months, paid into individual accounts

A recent review of the public payment portal, Govspend, has raised concerns about the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy’s financial transactions.

Led by Gboyega Oyetola, the ministry paid out hundreds of millions of naira into private accounts for various expenses, including air tickets, hall rentals, refreshments, and honorariums, between July 26, 2024, and October 23, 2024.

Significant spending on travel allowances and honorariums, despite President Bola Tinubu’s administration vowing to reduce governance costs was also noticed.

Specifically, on July 26, 2024, a hefty sum of N7.3 million was paid into Olufemi Michael Oloruntola’s account. It was described as 40% estacode supplementation for study tour to the Royal Kingdom of Morocco.

Michael Oloruntola, the Secretary General of Nigeria’s Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, received N76 million between July 26 and October 23, primarily for travel expenses, allowances, and estacodes, including a 40% estacode supplementation for a study tour to Morocco.

Estacode allowance is a travel allowance granted to public officers for international travel, with rates varying by rank.

Another sum of N10.4 million was paid into the account of Sanya Sholabami Abosede. It was described as payment for 40% supplementation for a study tour to the Royal Kingdom of Morocco and was made on July 26, 2024.

Sanya received N76.4 million between July 26 and October 23, 2024 in her personal account.

The Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy’s recent payment of millions for estacode follows a trip to Morocco that took place between July 29 and August 3. This trip likely involved high-ranking officials, considering the substantial estacode allowance paid out.

In Nigeria, estacode rates vary by position, with ministers reportedly receiving $900 per night and the Chief Justice of Nigeria getting $2,000.

On August 13, the ministry paid N8.4 million for non-personal advance granted for renting hall, refreshment, honorarium and others. The money was paid into the account of one Nwoko Vincent.

Also, Abba Goni Yarema received N186.5 million in his personal account as payment for ‘out of pocket expenses,’ duty tour allowance, renting of hall and refreshments.

The review shows that between August 13 and October 23, 2024, Hafeez Babatunde Bombata, who is the Director of Marine Safety and Security, at the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, received N43 million in his personal account.

The money was meant for estacodes and air tickets for international maritime organization meetings in London and estacode and allowance for undertaking capacity development and study tour of Port reception facilities in Togo and Ghana.

The reviews shows that a sum of N662 million tracked as expenses of the marine and blue economy ministry was for air ticket, refreshment, ‘out of pocket’ expenses, rent and others.

This is despite the provision of Chapter 7, Section 713 of Nigeria’s Financial Regulations 2009 which states that “Personal money shall in no circumstances be paid into a government bank account, nor shall any public money be paid into a private account.”