The permanent Secretary, Ministry of Steel Development Dr. Chris Osa Isokpunwa has refuted claims by the National Assembly that there are infractions in the ministry’s 2024 budget implementation.
He said the ministry did not have sufficient funds to implement projects in 2024, so he wonders where the issue of ghost projects emanated from.
Isokpunwu who expressed surprise at the claims of members of the committee said the ministry of steel development has consistently complied with civil service rules in the implementation of its budget over time.
He disclosed that strategy implementation plan of the Federal Government in implementing its budgetary expenditure
has always been complied with by the ministry.
The permanent secretary was reacting to the alleged infraction by members of the Senate Committee on steel development, which alluded to ghost contracts and financial impropriety.
“As a Federal Government ministry,we work in accordance with laid down rules and principles that guide our conduct and functionality, so it is not possible for any staff of my ministry to work contrary to the development goals and objectives of the public service.”
