Audit observed that the sum of N48,300,000.00 was paid through payment voucher No. 05637 of 22nd December, 2017 to a contractor for the supply of one (1) unit of Toyota Prado VXL V6 7-S, 4.OL.
Scrutiny of the minutes of the Parastatal Tenders Board (PTB) meeting held on Wednesday, 29th November 2017, further revealed the following irregularities:
a. The contractor was awarded a contract for the supply of toners and other ICT consumables to the head office of the Fund, vide award letter referenced NSITF/PROC/REC/HQ/PTB4/0066 of 11th December 2017. It was however, observed that the contractor instead, procured a Toyota Prado VXL V6 7-S 4.0 litres, a clear departure from the terms of the award letter.
b. Audit is particularly concerned about a letter written by the Head Department, with reference No. NSITF/AC/PROC/5/S. II/922 dated 11th December, 2017 to the contractor informing him that the Fund “does not have a cool storage facility for the items ordered and instead, he should convert the contract for the supply of toners & other ICT consumables to the supply of the Prado Jeep.” Evidence of the Board’s approval to that effect was not presented for audit. Curiously, the two letters were transmitted to the contractor on the same day.
c. There was no evidence that the contractor supplied the Prado Jeep as the Fund could not provide, evidence of delivery and Store Receipt Voucher (SRV) confirming that the item was supplied before payment