The Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation says Daniel Onjeh, former Board Chairman of Projects Development Institute, Enugu, has no powers to speak for the institute.
This was contained in a statement by Afonja Ajibola, Head of Press and Public Relations of the ministry, on Monday in Abuja.
The statement was a reaction to allegations credited to Onjeh on a private television on February 16, 2022 against Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, the Minister, FMSTI, which it described as unfounded.
The statement said Onjeh was asked to step aside when Dr. Charles Agulana, the former Director-General, was suspended.
It said: “This was to allow for an unbiased, proper and detailed investigation headed by office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), due to the numerous petitions leveled against Agulana and Onjeh.”
Accordingly, it said based on the circular: SGF50/S.II/C.2/268, dated December 4, 2017, the ministry directed that Dr. Fabian Okonkwo emerge as the Overseeing Director-General and same was communicated to the SGF’s Office.
Ajibola said Okonkwo resumed as the ODG and the then governing Board of PRODA on its own nominated one of the members to act as chairman of the board.
He said: “This was because Onjeh was asked to step aside for a transparent investigation to be carried out by the federal government based on the allegations leveled against PRODA.”
The statement stated explicitly that the Ministry never interfered with the investigations and there was likewise no interference with the running of PRODA.
It said on expiration of the tenure of the governing board of PRODA, President Muhammadu Buhari approved a new governing board, which was inaugurated along with other Boards by Onu on October 14, 2021.
The statement explained that since the new inauguration, Okonkwo refused to call for an inaugural meeting and several attempts were made in that regard but to no avail.
“This development prompted the new governing board of PRODA to write several letters to the ministry on Okonkwo’s refusal to convene a board meeting,” the statement said.
Ajibola said the Minister intervened by directing that a letter be written to Okonkwo on the importance and necessity of an inaugural meeting of the governing board, and still he declined.
The statement stated that the Ministry was inundated by several petitions against Okonkwo, particularly from the Bureau of Public Procurement and aggrieved contractors among others.
It said: “The refusal by the ODG to convene a board meeting made it impossible for the governing board to address pressing issues as regards the agency.”
The statement further explained in detail that when the SGF’s investigation panel report was sent to the Ministry, Onu directed that a committee be set up to ensure its implementation.
Ajibola said subsequently, Okonkwo was asked to step aside and the decision was approved by Buhari, while the next senior officer, Dr. Arit Etukudo, took over as the new ODG.
The statement further gave a detailed explanation of what transpired until the PRODA board headed by Etukudo finally held the first meeting in February 2022.
The statement clarified that Onjeh had no legal status to speak on PRODA and its management.
It said: “He is advised to allow the well constituted and inaugurated governing body to carry out their mandates as directed by the President.”