By Henry Umoru & Inalegwu Shaibu

ABUJA – MINISTER of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Gbenga Ashiru, Thursday, revealed that some ambassadors usually embezzled funds earmarked for purchase of official residences and offices abroad.

Ashiru also admitted that the ministry was battling with undisclosed accumulated debts that had lingered over the years, describing the situation as unfortunate.

He spoke, yesterday, in Abuja when he appeared before the Senator Matthew Nwagwu-led Committee on Foreign Affairs to defend the 2012 budget estimated at N50.1 billion.

The Minister said part of the problems facing the ministry was that some of the ambassadors could not write their budget proposals.

He said: ”Missions in the past got funds and they disappeared. Seven years ago, funds were sent to some embassies to buy houses, at the end of the day, no houses, no projects, no return of funds. I will not sit here and allow this to happen; we are not stopping capital projects, it will be continued.”

Meanwhile, the Committee on Foreign Affairs, yesterday, expressed concern over government’s move to establish additional missions abroad, when the existing ones have not been properly managed.

The committee noted that the vehicles used in some of the nation’s embassies were complete write off and also frowned at government’s inability to acquire its own property abroad to serve as offices and residences for foreign missions rather than paying exorbitant rents annually, leading to accumulated debt abroad, resulting to international embarrassment for the nation.

According to Senator  Nwagwu, “the issue of foreign debt is an international embarrassment. We should think of how to address the issue and the Senate is very concerned about it. I feel that Nigeria is old enough to acquire its own properties.

“As for opening new missions, I do not know how you intend to do it considering that you have not been able to manage existing ones.”

Ashiru had earlier explained that part of the money in the budget estimate would be used to settle debts owed foreign missions, pay utility bills as well as settle accumulated rents, stressed that of the money, the recently screened 88 ambassadors would be settled while security of local offices and foreign missions would be provided.

He said:“We have also gone ahead to ensure that provisions are made for security for head office in Abuja and missions abroad. All these were captured in the budget.”