Zika Bobby
Nigerians in Guinea Bissau are unhappy over the country’s inability to have a befitting embassy building, alleging the release of $2 million by former President, Gooduck Jonathan administration in 2012 would have completed the project if it had been appropriately used.
In a statement by Concerned Nigeria Group (CGN), based in Guinea Bissau, its president, Mike Omelo said in the country’s 2014 election, Nigeria made provision of 35 Hilux vans to help the crisis-ridden nation.
“The assistance from Nigeria has been countless. We cannot boast of a befitting embassy structure in Guinea Bissau, yet our government keeps doling out millions of dollars to the crisis-ridden nation.
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The Federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari should ask why the country’s embassy staffers are still housed in a rented building. This is not proper for a country that is seen as big brother to others,” he said.
Omelo said in 2012 when Jonathan visited the country, he was sad by what he met on the ground and told the then ambassador, Ahmed Maigida Adams that his administration would give a $2 million donation for the completion of a befitting embassy.
“We are informed that the pledge has long been redeemed but the structure is yet to be completed.
It is sad that embassy staffers are housed in a rented building, with millions paid as rent annually.
The abandoned embassy project which is besides the United Nation building, located at the heart of the country’s capital has become an eyesore as it is now home for rodents and insects. We believe that the amount is enough to complete the project,” he said.
The statement added: “As the November 18 parliamentary election draws near with pledges from different bodies to assist in a successful and peaceful polls, we are asking if it is proper to continue to dole out funds when successive embassy officials cannot account for the millions of dollars given for the completion of an embassy building in Guinea.
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It is time the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government, with its anti-corruption drive beam its searchlight into embassies finances, because a lot of monies are not properly accounted for,” he said.
But in his reaction, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr Tope Adeleye Elias-Fatile said the $2 million released by former president Jonathan was an initial payment and that the balance of $1.5 million is still being awaited to complete the project. He was however silent on the allegation that the $2 million was not prudently used.