Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has come under heavy censure on social media following a leaked memo showing the approval of N30m for the construction of a ‘Friday’ mosque with taxpayers’ funds.
Investigative journalist, David Hundeyin shared a photo of the memo, asking what business ministry of agriculture has with constitution of worship centres.
I’m just interested in knowing how much taxpayers money the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development @FmardNg spends on funding construction of Ifa temples and Christian churches, since building mosques is apparently part of its remit.
At least let the stupidity be fair. pic.twitter.com/rBTbIdUBce
— David Hundeyin (@DavidHundeyin) May 20, 2021
The memo, dated December 10, 2020, with reference number FMA/PROC/AHS/SIP/2020/7742/1, stated that Ministerial Tenders Board approved the contract.
The ministry is led by Kano-born Minister, Alhaji Mohammed Nanono, who was appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019.
The document titled, ‘Award of Contract for the Construction of Friday Mosque’ was signed by the Deputy Director, Procurement, Musa Musa on behalf of the minister and was addressed to Managing Director, El-Shukhur Multi-Buz Nig. Ltd.
The memo reads in part;
I am directed to inform you that the ministerial tenders board at its 7th meeting held on December 7, 2020, approved the award of contract for the construction of Friday mosque to your company at the total sum of N30m only, inclusive of VAT, with a completion period of eight weeks with effect from the date of this letter.
You are therefore required to indicate in writing within three days of receipt of this offer, your acceptance to the office of the director, procurement, FMARD, Abuja or otherwise, the offer will be considered lapsed.
According to ThePunch, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development declined to make any official comment on the development when questioned.
In addition, officials of the ministry demanded that a letter be written to FMARD’s permanent secretary about the trending matter.
The document has now been shared several times on social media eliciting condemnation from several Nigerians.
At this time when our economy is in a tailspin with all fundamentals in dire straits, the Fed. Min. of Agriculture and Rural Dev has the temerity to arbitrarily award a #30million contract for the building of a mosque for Friday prayers. Luckless, cursed Banana Republic indeed.
— Prince Okey Okaro (@OkeyOnwa) May 20, 2021
Ladies and gentlemen, the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development gave out a contract to build….. Wait for it….
A mosque! 😭😭😭🙆🏾♂️ pic.twitter.com/YlOWMTZ0bu
— Demola Of Lagos (@OmoGbajaBiamila) May 20, 2021
What!!!!! Despite all the challenges facing food security, building a mosque is the Federal Ministry of Agriculture’s priority! To pray for Rain or what? How did we get here for Heaven sake. What has Government got to do with churches or mosque? pic.twitter.com/zuTBb8SW4u
— Senator Dino Melaye. (SDM) (@dino_melaye) May 20, 2021
The part that got me was “Liaise with Director (Animal Husbandry Services) for adequate supervision of the contract”. Haba!!!.
Wetin concern Animal Husbandry with Building Construction for God’s sake.— De Palmwine Tapper of Badagry (@Detolanny) May 20, 2021
A said ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Omo, we are finished in this country, how is this procured element going to improve agriculture or improve the livelihood of rural communities for socio economic development/growth.
Our leaders don’t know what to do— General🎖🎖🎖 (@Ol_Timi) May 20, 2021
I even doubt if this Award followed the Public Procurement Act 2007, or other extant regulations. Was it that they negotiated the Contract Sum to N30Million ? How would BOQ read a round figure like that? Did the Contractor just put random sum ? There are more to see!
— Ayodele FALEYE (@Topnotchqs) May 20, 2021
Smiling and 🤣😆🤣🤣😂😂🤣🤣😂😂😂🤣
What is all this.
I nor wan raise issues oo but is it not obvious that the ministry is filled with our Muslims brothers and sisters in other words no equality.
Make them change the name to Federal Ministry Of Religion since na this one now.— Emovon Eghe (@MR_TIME_SMILE) May 20, 2021
FEDERAL MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT (Procurement Department) ACTUALLY SAW CONSTRUCTION OF FRIDAY MOSQUE AS PART OF HER DEVELOPMENT DUTIES IN RURAL AREAS 🤔”Kind of Islamization/Fulanization agenda”..😂😅 https://t.co/jA8rFMXXmA
— Soludo Diaso #EndNigeriaNow Not #EndSarsOrSwat! (@SDiaso) May 20, 2021
