Nigerian Government Paid $1.7 Million To Renovate São Tomé Ambassador’s House And Abandoned It

Secrets Reporters

At the Nigeria Embassy in São Tomé and Príncipe, a review of financial activities from January 2018 to December 2020 has flagged ₦255.91 million paid towards an Ambassador’s Residence project that was ultimately abandoned.

The project was covered by a ₦540,804,139.10 contract awarded in April 2011 for the construction, furnishing and fencing of the Ambassador’s Residence. According to the findings, ₦255,909,252.43, equivalent to US$1,705,391.02, was paid to the Nigeria-based contractor and consultant before the project was abandoned.

It was found that the payments were made despite the failure to complete key components of the project. The fencing and furnishing works were not completed, while the records required to establish the extent of work carried out were not produced.

Specifically, no progress reports, contract file, Bill of Engineering Measurement and Evaluation (BEME) or paid vouchers were presented to provide evidence of the work purportedly executed under the contract.

The contractor and consultant were separately provided with flight tickets and hotel accommodation, in addition to the payments made under the contract.

The expenditure was contrary to paragraphs 603(i), 415, 412 and 708 of the Financial Regulations 2009, which require adequate documentation, proper certification and supporting records for government expenditure.

The situation poses risks of loss and diversion of government funds, as well as the potential forfeiture of the land to the Government of São Tomé and Príncipe.

Responding to the finding, the Embassy said a comprehensive report on the construction project had already been prepared and submitted, but that it was still awaiting further direction from the Ministry’s headquarters. “A comprehensive report had been written about the construction work and [is] still awaiting headquarters directive.”

The Embassy is headed by an Ambassador, with recommendations addressed to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The identity of the ambassador who headed the mission during the 2018–2020 period could not be independently verified from the information gotten.