Poor Funding Threatens INEC Operations …As N2bn Staff Pension Trapped In NICON – Jega

The 2012 budgetary allocation to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is inadequate for preparations toward the 2015 elections, the  Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Attahiru Jega, said on Wednesday.

Jega made this known to the Senate Committee on INEC in Abuja during an official visit to INEC’s headquarters.

“Where we are having the most challenging issue is the slashing of the budget proposal by 40 per cent, as barely 60 per cent of the budget is appropriated.

“This has put INEC in a very serious constraint and pressure in terms of being able to do some essential and urgent jobs between now and 2015.”

Jega said INEC had only 600 permanent structures in 774 local government areas of the country, adding that these permanent structures were being renovated without being furnished for effective use.

According to him, INEC will be handicapped in the execution of its programme if the situation fails to improve as the provisions in the 2012 budget allows for the renovation of only 67 structures.

He stressed the need for 774 local government areas to have functional offices for conducting proper election, collation of results and adequate security.

Jega recalled that in 2011, the National Assembly gave approval for building 75 offices but noted that only the erection of 10 offices would be covered by the 2012 budgetary allocation.

He expressed regret that the budgetary allocation merely provided for the erection of three houses for Resident Electoral Commissioners houses in 2012.

He said in spite of challenges facing the commission INEC remarkable progress had been recorded under his stewardship.

Responding, the Chairman, Senate Committee on INEC, expressed concern over the complaint regarding underfunding of the commission.

He said the matter would be given attention if a supplementary budget was forwarded to the lawmakers.

Uba said there was urgent need to work toward ensuring supplementary budget for INEC as Nigerians could not afford any excuses.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Attahiru Jega,  said in Abuja on Wednesday that the commission’s N2 billion pension fund was trapped in NICON Insurance.

Briefing the Senate Committee on INEC during an oversight visit to INEC headquarters, Jega said it had been difficult to retrieve the fund from the corporation.

Jega said that most of the challenges had to do with the old pension scheme, adding that issues relating to it were now in court.

He said the present INEC had not defaulted in paying pensioners their dues, adding that their complaints were redressed without delay.

Jega assured the committee that INEC would continue to intensify dialogue and consultations in ensuring that adequate welfare of its staff and retirees was addressed.

The chairman said he inherited some court judgments involving some of INEC staff, adding that an in-house process for decisive actions had begun.

He referred to the Ekiti election for which some officers were indicted.

“Those whose names were mentioned we have dealt with and those indirectly indicted we have constituted internal enquiry for fair hearing.

“Some have been asked to retire while some were dismissed, this is not for us to advertise because the challenge is for us to cleanse the system.

Jega said INEC had fewer court cases in the 2011 elections than 2007 and added that 99 per cent of the judgments were in INEC’s favour.

According to him, the commission has mapped out strategies towards satisfying the desire and aspiration of Nigerians by 2015.