The Federal College of Dental Technology and Therapy, Enugu, has come under scrutiny over the disbursement of N559.2 million for projects and programmes across Plateau and Akwa Ibom states.
Payment records obtained from Govspend show that the institution disbursed the money to 13 companies through 16 separate transactions on May 9.
The payments reportedly covered a wide range of projects, including bridges, boreholes, solar-powered streetlights, classroom renovation, rice distribution, youth empowerment, healthcare projects and medical outreach.
The development has raised questions about the connection between the projects and the statutory responsibilities of the dental institution, which is located in Enugu State.
N429m spent on infrastructure projects
According to the payment records, N429.35 million, representing about 76 per cent of the total N559.2 million, was allocated to infrastructure-related projects.
One of the largest transactions was N78.63 million paid to Nsuma Global Services Limited as 30 per cent mobilisation for the supply and installation of solar streetlights in selected communities within the Ikot Abasi and Eastern Obolo federal constituency of Akwa Ibom State.
Another company, Naturemark Services Limited, received N52.42 million for the supply and installation of solar streetlights in selected areas of the Uyo/Uruan/Ibesikpo Asutan federal constituency.
Naturemark Services also received an additional N65.27 million for a comprehensive medical outreach in Uyo.
Tenoh Et’ Al Limited received two separate payments of N52.42 million each.
One of the payments was reportedly for a powered borehole water system in selected communities across Uyo, Uruan, Nsit Atai and Ibesikpo Asutan, while the second was for the installation of solar-powered streetlights in Uyo.
Richphils Environmental Management Limited also received N52.42 million as 30 per cent mobilisation for the renovation and furnishing of a classroom block in the Ikot Abasi/Obolo federal constituency.
Funds also allocated for rice, youth empowerment
The records further showed that the college made payments for programmes that appeared unrelated to dental education.
Omonzeunic Concept Limited received N28.2 million for the supply of rice to the Basa/Jos North federal constituency.
Similarly, Henzed Servvices Limited received N26.21 million for empowerment items intended for vulnerable and unemployed youths in the Etinan/Nsit Ibom/Nsit Ubium federal constituency.
The college also paid N26.21 million each to Goro Tech. Nig. Limited for bridge projects and Iam Logic System Limited for borehole projects in Basa/Jos North.
Bajem Trust Limited received two separate payments of N26.21 million each for the construction of a civic centre and the provision of electrical transformers in selected communities in Uyo/Uruan.
Healthcare and streetlight projects
Further payments included N15.91 million to Misol Trust Limited for the completion of a primary healthcare centre in Kissaloi, Basa Local Government Area.
The same company received another N7.16 million for the provision of solar streetlights in Ikot Okpudo Village.
Taken together, the transactions indicate that substantial funds from the Federal College of Dental Technology and Therapy were channelled into projects located outside the institution and across different federal constituencies.
Questions over statutory mandate
The payments have raised questions about why a federal dental institution based in Enugu was used as the paying agency for projects in Akwa Ibom and Plateau states.
The Federal College of Dental Technology and Therapy was established under the Federal College of Dental Technology and Therapy (Establishment) Act, 2017.
Its statutory responsibilities centre primarily on education and training in dental technology, dental therapy and related disciplines, including programmes leading to relevant degrees, diplomas and certificates.
The institution’s mandate does not ordinarily include the construction of bridges, installation of community streetlights, distribution of rice, provision of empowerment materials or execution of constituency-based infrastructure projects.
The payment records therefore raise an important accountability question: why was the Federal College of Dental Technology and Therapy, Enugu, responsible for financing projects spread across federal constituencies in Akwa Ibom and Basa/Jos North?
The records alone do not establish whether the payments were unlawful or whether the projects were implemented as described. However, the apparent disconnect between the institution’s core mandate and the nature and locations of the projects warrants clarification from the college, relevant government agencies and the beneficiaries of the projects.
