Rep reveals why Ngige sacked NSIF management, accuses labour minister, wife of conspiracy

The Chairman of the House Committee on Finance, James Faleke on Tuesday made several weighty allegations against the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chris Ngige over the dissolution of the management of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund.

Faleke, during the debate on a motion of urgent public importance moved by Leke Abejide, accused the minister of inserting over N 2billion into the budget of the agency and altered the budget proposal of the NSIF.

The lawmaker from Lagos also accused Mr. Ngige of conspiring with his wife, Mrs. Evelyn Ngige to obtain approval for a N100 million assurance brokers deal.

In a letter dated July 1, 2020, and addressed to Adebayo Somefun, Managing Director of NSITF, Ngige said President Muhammadu Buhari had approved the suspension of the ‘management Somefun Heads’ over “misappropriation and other gross misconduct”.

Faleke in his contribution said, “The minister has abused his office, if I were to be the president, I would have him removed based on facts.

”The NSIF submitted its budget to him (2019 budget), he single-handedly altered the figures, and when the men and women of that agency challenged him, he threatened to remove them. He inserted N2 billion ‘commission on collection’ projects, something that had never happened in that agency.

“We have Ministers, especially this particular Minister, he single-handedly nominated contractors that supplied vehicles worth N305 million last year. The Executive of NSIF said they will not execute that budget. He needs the Management and Executives of that agency to be out of the office so that he can implement the budget.

“He felt he would not have control over the things he inserted if the people should remain, and the only way is to send them away. As lawmakers, we are entitled to Camry cars as official vehicles, but a minister is entitled to a convoy of vehicles by the ministry. However, this is not enough for Ngige, he went ahead to compel this parastatal to buy him a Toyota Land Cruiser and a Hilux in 2019. The same minister has inserted 4SUV into the 2020 budget, which these men have said no to, that they will not implement it. That is the issue.”

Adding that “His wife, Dr. Mrs. Ngige works in the Office of the Head of Service. Ngige took advantage and got approval, signed by his wife, to the ministry of labour to appoint an insurance broker for insurance worth N100 million annually. This approval was issued and signed by his wife on the 6th of May, 2020, and Ngige wrote an approval letter immediately on the 10th of May to the NSIT, what speed of light.

The speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila before his ruling cautioned Mr. Faleke about the allegations, asking him if he has proof to back up his claims.

“Those are weighty allegations you have made, and I hope you can prove them. Otherwise, the consequence may be dire.

The House, therefore, resolved to set up an ad hoc committee that will investigate the matter and report back to the House in 1week.