2023: Senate summons finance minister over unexplained N206 billion in ministry budget
The Senate has summoned Finance Minister Zainab Ahmed to explain a N206 billion allocation inserted in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development's 2023 budget.
The Senate, through its Special Duties Committee, has requested that Ms. Ahmed appear before it with details and plans for the allocation made despite the country's declining revenue and struggling economy.
The resolution to invite the minister was taken during the budget defense session of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs on Monday.
It was the result of the failure of the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, the failure of Sadiya Farouq to provide details of the proposed allocation. Ms Farouq told the panel that she did not know how the 206 billion naira had been inserted into her ministry's 2023 budget by the Ministry of Finance.
She explained that in 2022, her ministry had requested funds for some projects for the North East Development Commission (NEDC) and the National Social Safety Net Project – which were not released. She said she was surprised that ten times the funds requested were now allocated in the 2023 budget.
"Yeah, we mentioned the projects for 2022 that weren't released and part of which was for the NEDC," she told the panel. "The money has not been released and now we have seen it happen again almost 10 times and we will also clarify with the Ministry of Finance as to why this increase despite the fact that the previous year the money has not even been released for the project.
"So we'll get the details and then send them to you."
Panel member Elisha Abbo lamented that the committee had to summon Ms Ahmed a few days ago when lawmakers were considering the budget for the Ministry of Health and Primary Health Care.
READ ALSO:"We have observed that 301 billion naira have been inserted in the 2023 budget, which will be financed by multilateral and bilateral loans. We have requested the Minister to give us the details of the activities and projects that will be implemented. working with that money and he said it wasn't him but it was the Ministry of Finance."
He complained that similar issues were raised with the humanitarian ministry. He wondered if the 206 billion naira was captured in the MTEF.
"We can't continue to borrow money and put this country in debt so that our children come to pay without investing in what they will see."
Committee Chairman Yusuf Yusuf then moved a motion to summon the Minister of Finance and provide an explanation of the N206 billion inserted in the budget.
"Now that the Minister has said that she is not in charge of the negotiations with the World Bank and of course she is not, the Minister of Finance must appear before us and explain what the purpose is this enormous sum," he said. .
No date has been given for Ms. Ahmed to appear before the committee.
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The Senate has summoned Finance Minister Zainab Ahmed to explain a N206 billion allocation inserted in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development's 2023 budget.
The Senate, through its Special Duties Committee, has requested that Ms. Ahmed appear before it with details and plans for the allocation made despite the country's declining revenue and struggling economy.
The resolution to invite the minister was taken during the budget defense session of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs on Monday.
It was the result of the failure of the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, the failure of Sadiya Farouq to provide details of the proposed allocation. Ms Farouq told the panel that she did not know how the 206 billion naira had been inserted into her ministry's 2023 budget by the Ministry of Finance.
She explained that in 2022, her ministry had requested funds for some projects for the North East Development Commission (NEDC) and the National Social Safety Net Project – which were not released. She said she was surprised that ten times the funds requested were now allocated in the 2023 budget.
"Yeah, we mentioned the projects for 2022 that weren't released and part of which was for the NEDC," she told the panel. "The money has not been released and now we have seen it happen again almost 10 times and we will also clarify with the Ministry of Finance as to why this increase despite the fact that the previous year the money has not even been released for the project.
"So we'll get the details and then send them to you."
Panel member Elisha Abbo lamented that the committee had to summon Ms Ahmed a few days ago when lawmakers were considering the budget for the Ministry of Health and Primary Health Care.
READ ALSO:"We have observed that 301 billion naira have been inserted in the 2023 budget, which will be financed by multilateral and bilateral loans. We have requested the Minister to give us the details of the activities and projects that will be implemented. working with that money and he said it wasn't him but it was the Ministry of Finance."
He complained that similar issues were raised with the humanitarian ministry. He wondered if the 206 billion naira was captured in the MTEF.
"We can't continue to borrow money and put this country in debt so that our children come to pay without investing in what they will see."
Committee Chairman Yusuf Yusuf then moved a motion to summon the Minister of Finance and provide an explanation of the N206 billion inserted in the budget.
"Now that the Minister has said that she is not in charge of the negotiations with the World Bank and of course she is not, the Minister of Finance must appear before us and explain what the purpose is this enormous sum," he said. .
No date has been given for Ms. Ahmed to appear before the committee.
Support the integrity and credibility journalism of PREMIUM TIMES Good journalism costs a lot of money. Yet only good journalism can guarantee the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy and a transparent government. For free and continued access to the best investigative journalism in the country, we ask that you consider providing modest support to this noble endeavour. By contributing to PREMIUM TIMES, you help sustain relevant journalism and keep it free and accessible to everyone.Donate
[embedded content]TEXT ANNOUNCEMENT: Call Willie - +2348098788999
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