. appoints a new interim management team, led by Aliyu
Oredola Adeola
President Bola Tinubu has authorized the indefinite suspension of Ahmed Salihijo, the Managing Director/CEO, and three other key officials at the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) due to their alleged participation in a fraudulent misexpenditure of a staggering N1.2 billion over the past two years.
This was confirmed in a statement released by the Presidency and obtained by Advisors Reports on Thursday.
Other suspended individuals include Olaniyi Netufo, Executive Director of Corporate Services, Barka Sajou, Executive Director of Technical Services, and Sa’adatu Balgore, Executive Director of the Rural Electrification Fund (REF).
President Tinubu, according to the statement took, the decisive action following a thorough investigation into the financial operations of the REA), which uncovered a misexpenditure exceeding N1.2 billion over a two-year period, with some funds already recovered by anti-graft agencies.
In response, the President has appointed a new interim management team at REA, with Abba Aliyu as Acting MD/CEO, Ayoade Gboyega as ED of Corporate Services, Umar Umar as ED of Technical Services, Doris Uboh as ED of REF, and Olufemi Akinyelure as Head of the Project Management Unit for the Nigeria Electrification Project.
The President’s directive further emphasized the importance of upholding transparency and accountability in public service.
According to Tinubu, the commitment to prioritize the needs of Nigerians for good governance and quality service delivery over personal interests, underscores his administration’s dedication to ensuring integrity and efficiency in government operations for the benefit of all citizens.