Why the Intelligence Agencies Allocation Was Cut - Panel of Representatives

Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence, Sha'ban Sharada, said the allocation to intelligence agencies had been cut from 221.7 billion naira in 2022 to 195, N18 billion in 2023 due to current economic conditions. realities.

Mr. Sharada said this when National Security Advisor (NSA) Babagana Monguno appeared before the committee on Thursday to defend allocations to the NSA office and other intelligence agencies.

The agencies are the State Security Service (SSS), the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), and the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA).

The president explained that the reduction was due to the country's economic situation.

"This is due to the economic challenges caused by the global economic instability caused by COVID-19," he explained.

Mr. Sharada revealed that the committee will look at the budget, but he's not sure there will be any need for significant changes.

“This methodology will require an analytical presentation of the state of execution of the previous budget to justify maintaining the current allocation which, in reality, does not require any significant modification,” he said.

Mr. Sharada asked the budget office to remove intelligence agencies from the envelope budget system.

Despite the insecurity ravaging many parts of Nigeria, Mr. Monguno, who led the heads of budget advocacy agencies, said President Muhammadu Buhari would hand over a safer Nigeria to the next president.

Mr. Buhari will step down on May 29 when he completes his second four-year term.

The NSA said the agencies have helped immensely in fighting terrorists and bandits.

He pointed out that today's security challenges are different from those of the previous century, adding that this is a global phenomenon that is not unique to Nigeria.

“President Muhammadu Buhari has a desire to hand over to whoever is going to inherit what he is working on right now – a safer Nigeria. That is true and I have to be very honest with you.

READ ALSO:

“Our successes to date in overcoming security challenges, particularly over the past four to five months, are fundamentally rooted in the efforts of the Department of State Services (DSS), National Intelligence Agency, Defense Intelligence Agency. . They were able to provide timely intelligence to operational elements. I want to commend their efforts, and I also want, by extension, to commend the efforts of the operational sphere,” he said.

Mr. Monguno also urged lawmakers to support the government in the fight against insurgents.

The committee and heads of agencies then moved to a closed session after the speeches.

Support the integrity and credibility journalism of PREMIUM TIMES Good journalism is very expensive. 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