Yes, I requested for N13m loan from NBC but… – Minister

ABUJA – The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has confirmed requesting for a loan of N13 million from the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, to undertake an official trip to China.

The letter requesting for the loan was written by the Director of Public Relations and Protocol, Peter Dama, on behalf of the Minister and dated May 11, 2016.

Mr. Mohammed and other members of the delegation are billed to travel to China on Sunday, May 15, 2016.

However, the letter which was leaked to the media has received wide condemnation on the social media in the last 24 hours.

Copy of the letter requesting for loan from NBC

Reacting on behalf of the Minister, the Director of Public Relations, Mr. Dama,in a statement on Friday, said the money was not meant for the Minister’s use alone but all the five members of the delegation, covering air tickets and other things.

The statement reads in full:

My attention has been drawn to a letter I endorsed to the Ag. Director General, National Broadcasting Commission requesting for a loan of N13,120,470.00 to cover tickets and travel expenses of a five-member delegation being led by the Honourable Minister of Information and Culture to Beijing, China, which was mischievously leaked to the social media by staff of National Broadcasting Commission.

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