Anti-corruption campaigner and Chief Crusader of Crusaders Against Corruption, Emmanuel Wilson, has described the funding of dependants of government scholarship beneficiaries as illegal and an irregular use of public funds.
According to Mr Wilson, there is no provision in the law that allows the government to fund the dependants of an individual who has been awarded a scholarship.
He said anyone who uses public funds to sponsor the dependants of a scholarship beneficiary could be engaging in irregularities and criminal conduct.
“There is nowhere in the Act that indicates that if I, Emmanuel Wilson, am awarded a scholarship, government must take care of my dependants. It is an irregularity and illegality,” he said.
Mr Wilson explained that if a scholarship beneficiary wishes to have family members join them abroad, the beneficiary must apply separately for the dependants and demonstrate the financial capacity to support them.
He further stated that government scholarships are intended to cover the beneficiary’s approved academic expenses, including tuition and a limited stipend, rather than the expenses of accompanying family members.
Mr Wilson therefore urged the public to disregard claims that there is nothing wrong with government sponsoring the dependants of scholarship beneficiaries.
He called for the strict enforcement of the country’s laws, regardless of the identity or position of anyone found to have engaged in corruption or corruption-related activities.
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