I Did Not Receive Loan For My Personal Expenses – Lai Mohammed

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed has denied claims that he recently applied for a loan for N13.1m for personal expenses for a conference in China.

Reacting to the tale, Mr Dama, the Director of Public Relations of Protocol to the Ministry described the allegations as been misleading saying the amount requested for was meant for the minister and a five member delegate to a Conference on Tourism for Development in China.

In a statement released by the Minister’s spokesman, a loan of N13,120,470.00 to cover tickets and travel expenses of a five-member delegation being led by the Honourable Minister was requested from the National Broadcasting Commission with a letter to Acting Director General .

“The loan being requested for is for the Ministry to meet up its obligations to enable the Minister and members of his delegation attend an all important Conference on Tourism for Development in China, that is meant to benefit this country,” the statement began.

Continuing, he said, ‘the loan is not meant for the Honourable Minister alone as personal expenses, but for the expenses of all members of the delegation. The Conference, which is being organized by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation in conjunction with the Government of the People’s Republic of China, under the overall theme “Tourism for Peace and Development,” will feature amongst others discussions on major issues for sustainable development including the contribution of Tourism to poverty reduction and peace.”