In a press briefing held today, the Advocacy for Positive Impact Initiative (APII) called for the immediate dismissal of Dr. Yusuf Maina Bukar, Director-General of the National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW), amid serious allegations of corruption, contract splitting, nepotism, incompetence, and breach of public trust.
Addressing the media, APII Director of Press and Consultant, Amb. Austine Peacemaker, highlighted the group’s commitment to promoting good governance, accountability, and transparency in public institutions. The press conference aimed to shed light on the alleged malpractices within the NAGGW and demand justice and accountability.
“The allegations against Dr. Bukar are deeply troubling and demand immediate action,” said Amb. Peacemaker. “We have sent a detailed correspondence to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, drawing attention to Dr. Bukar’s disregard for administrative authorities and his persistent contract splitting to bypass due diligence in the procurement process.”
The key allegations against Dr. Bukar are as follows:
1. **Corruption**: Dr. Bukar is accused of embezzling and diverting funds meant for project implementation, accepting bribes from contractors, and general misappropriation. The flagship project, the Great Green Wall Initiative, has faced significant delays and cost overruns due to these alleged corrupt practices.
2. **Contract Splitting**: It is alleged that Dr. Bukar has been involved in the illegal practice of splitting contracts into smaller amounts to circumvent procurement procedures and award them to favored companies, family members, and cronies. This compromises the quality and cost-effectiveness of public projects.
3. **Nepotism**: Reports indicate that Dr. Bukar has appointed family members and close associates to key positions without regard for merit or qualifications, undermining principles of fairness and equal opportunity in public service appointments.
4. **Incompetence**: Dr. Bukar’s leadership has been criticized for failing to deliver on the Agency’s mandate despite significant funding. His tenure is marked by delays, inefficiencies, and failures in project implementation, leading to wastage of public funds.
5. **Breach of Public Trust**: Dr. Bukar is accused of mismanaging public resources and betraying the trust placed in him to serve the Nigerian people. These unethical behaviors constitute a severe breach of public trust essential for effective governance.
APII demands that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu relieve Dr. Bukar of his duties and that the National Assembly initiate a thorough investigation and hold public hearings on the allegations. The group also urges the Federal Ministry of Environment to take concrete steps to address these allegations and ensure transparency and accountability.
“Maina’s continued leadership undermines the Agency’s credibility and hinders the effective implementation of projects,” reiterated Amb. Peacemaker. “If thoroughly investigated and established, Dr. Bukar should be permanently dismissed from his position and any future government roles.”
APII concluded by emphasizing that the Nigerian people deserve transparency, accountability, and effective leadership in public offices. They warned that if their demands are not met within seven days, they would organize a public march at the Ministry of Environment and the NAGGW to press home their demands.
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