37 antiquity vendors gets N173m

The vendors under the umbrella body of Artefact Rescuers Association of Nigeria (ARAN) had on different occasions sold rescued artefacts to the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) for the past five years.   Presenting the payment advise in Abuja over the weekend, Chief Duke reiterated the resolve of the Federal Government in protecting the […]

The vendors under the umbrella body of Artefact Rescuers Association of Nigeria (ARAN) had on different occasions sold rescued artefacts to the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) for the past five years.   
Presenting the payment advise in Abuja over the weekend, Chief Duke reiterated the resolve of the Federal Government in protecting the artefacts saying that the payment was another means of checkmating illicit trafficking of artefacts.
He enjoined the vendors and other stakeholders in the culture industry to partner with the government in ensuring that the sector enjoyed its pride of place as done globally.
 Earlier,  the Director General of NCMM, Mallam Yusuf Abdallah Usman dismissed media reports that the failure of the Commission to pay the  vendors was hinged on perceived corruption, saying that release of funds for such payment usually followed due process.
According to him, “The Commission had to write through the Tourism Minister to the Coordinating Minister of the Economy for the release of intervention funds to enable the payment.
While commending the vendors for their patience, he added, “I want to particularly thank the vendors for their understanding and also request that they continue to keep faith with NCMM.”