A thorough examination of the Govspend public payments portal has unearthed a startling revelation, shedding light on a questionable expenditure by Nigeria’s Ministry of Justice.
Specifically, on June 27, 2024, a sum of N158 million was allocated towards the renovation of toilets within the ministry’s headquarters.
This substantial contract was awarded to Blue Furniture Limited, sparking concerns regarding the judicious utilisation of Nigeria’s limited resources.
This development assumes heightened significance in light of widespread calls for fiscal prudence and responsible spending, particularly at a time when the nation is grappling with severe revenue constraints.
The staggering sum of N158 million expended on toilet renovations could have been used to renovate 26 blocks of three classrooms each, at a cost of N6.1 million per block, as evidenced by government records on the GovSpend platform.
Alternatively, this substantial allocation could have facilitated the construction of 20 solar-powered boreholes, considering each borehole requires an investment of N7.8 million, as disclosed on the GovSpend website.
This revelation underscores the pressing concerns surrounding Nigeria’s management of its limited resources, which has led to an over-reliance on loans and resulted in alarming debt servicing figures.