Secret Reporters No place to hide
Secrets Reporters
Conflict of interest remains a significant issue within Nigeria’s civil service, posing ethical and legal challenges to governance and public trust. This issue arises when public officials prioritize personal interests or those of related parties over their duty to serve the public impartially. A recent case involving the Federal Ministry of Works has brought this problem to the forefront.
On May 31, 2024, a payment of ₦23,486,469.08 was made by the Federal Ministry of Works to Woodhill Engineering Nigeria Limited. The payment was for engineering supervision for the rehabilitation of Abuja-Kano Road Section II. The transaction has Payment Code: 1001189615-4 with Payer Code: 0234001001.
Zainab Mansour Chiranchi, a director at the Woodhill Engineering Nigeria Limited, is also a lecturer at the Federal College of Education Kano. This dual role presents a direct conflict of interest, as Nigerian civil service regulations prohibit public servants from engaging in commercial contracts with government entities. According to information from her LinkedIn profile, Ms. Chiranchi’s official position within the government clearly contravenes these regulations, raising significant ethical and legal concerns.
The involvement of a public servant in government contracts not only undermines public trust but also violates the Civil Service Rules and Code of Conduct for Public Officers. These regulations are designed to ensure that public officials act impartially and avoid situations where their personal interests could influence their official duties.
Woodhill Engineering Nigeria Limited was incorporated in Kano, Nigeria, with Registration Number 499088, on November 19, 2003. The company’s registered office address is No. 5, Gwangwazo Quarters, Kano.
Efforts to reach the Federal Ministry of Works and the Federal College of Education Kano for comments were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report. The lack of response from these institutions raises further questions about the transparency and accountability of the parties involved.
