Teryima Andrew, Jos
The cooperative chairman of the Nigerian Security Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC), Plateau state command, Sule Mohammed, has allegedly misappropriated large sum of the cooperative meant for purchase of grains for members.
Sources said the sum of about 18 million Naira was budgeted twice to purchase grains to cushion hunger among members, since late last year, but members have not received the foodstuffs as earlier plan till date.
“In December, 2016 when the cooperative Chairman, without recourse to laid down guidelines approved and paid over N17million to a Kaduna based firm, Tredah Olumin (Nig) Ltd, to supply a truck of Thailand rice to the cooperative for distribution to members during Christmas celebration, but not a grain of rice was supplied, to the chagrin of fellow colleagues.”
The source added that “another 11million Naira to purchase 460 bags, which he claimed was 660 bags, yet no record was available to indicate distribution of the grain to members.”
However, it was learnt that the sum of 10 million Naira out of the total sum was said to have been refunded by the contractor of the grains “a refund of 10million Naira via Fidelity Bank Cheque no.4010232526, dated 10th January, 2017.”
But our source alleged that, the firm contractor contracted to purchase the grains (rice) for cooperative members was never contacted for the said contract.
As a result of the development, cooperative members who were bold to confront the chairman were threaten with transfer out the state against rules.
“Service rules of the Corp stipulate that officers below the rank of Superintendent of the Corp should be made to serve in their states of origin, except where the said officer on his own volition desires to work outside his state of origin.” Our source explained.
According to some of the corp, who do not want to be named for fear of victimization said they had petition the national headquarters of the corp over the issues, but it seems their cries were swept under the carpet.
“Most of us had petition national headquarters with petitions against the cooperative Chairman, but from all indication someone is preventing it from reaching the Commandant General of the Corp.” Our source stressed.
Efforts to reach the said cooperative chairman at the time of filling in this report has been unsuccessful.
