N800m Set to Wreck Peace

IFA’s largess of N800 million has led to fresh war between members of the recently concluded FIFA U17 World Cup, Nigeria 2009 and the National Sports Commission (NSC), as the Minister/Chairman, Engr. Sani Ndanusa has ordered the change of signatories from that of the First Vice Chairman/CEO LOC, Mainasara Ilo and the auditor Damola Jimoh and replaced with the General Secretary of Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), Bolaji Ojo Oba and the accountant to the LOC, Musa Ajani.

The LOC is owing contractors, Team Liaison Officers (TLOs), staff salaries totaling about N1.5 billion but this new arrangement has frustrated efforts by LOC’s initial signatories to account to have access to the money.
The rumour making rounds is that the Minister ordered the change when his directive that the LOC should first pay off debts owed contractors engaged through him (he is alleged to have given LOC a list of 40 contractors) during the FIFA U17 Championship in which Nigeria took the silver medal before settling the salary arrears of its workers and other contractors who executed jobs with the committee was flouted. It was further revealed that the 40 contractors of the Minister’s list will gulped N400 million out of the N800 million.

A text message sent to the Minister to confirmed this rumour or clarify issues did not get any response as at the time of going to the press but the NOC Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Tony Ohaire called that the facts will be made available today.
The LOC, THISDAY learnt had earlier resolved to use FIFA’s N800 million to pay off the debts and salary arrears but with the change in signatories they are threatening to spill the beans on who got the contracts.

“Out of the 148 contractors who are being owed by the LOC, the Minister has insisted on the full payment of the contractors who are 40 in number on the list which he submitted to us. This list is, as I am talking to you causing a very big problem between the LOC and the minister. The LOC is making frantic efforts to settle its back log of debts but with this instruction coming from the minister, many contractors and staff may end up not being paid any dime at all”, a source from the LOC volunteered.