Budget Defense: Minister Of Finance, DG Budget Office Shun Invitation
23 November 2020 National News News
The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning Zainab Ahmed and the Director-General of the budget office Ben Akabueze shunned the invitation of the House Committee on Science and Technology over low budgetary allocation for the establishment of a laboratory office for the Ministry.
The Committee had queried the budget office for approving the sum of twenty million naira as against the one billion naira needed to kick start the laboratory structure.
Speaking after the failure of the Minister and DG to appear before the committee, a member of the committee, Mr Awaji Abiante from Rivers state called on the house of representatives to return the 2021 budget estimates as the present appropriation lacks the capacity to pull the country out of recession.
The lawmaker who frowned at the way releases where been made to Ministries Departments and Agencies of Government said insufficient budgetary allocation to developmental projects that have the capacity to transform the nation remains Nigeria’s biggest challenge.
Other members of the committee who expressed displeasure at the representation sent in by the Minister and D.G, noted that there are numerous questions needing their personal attention.
The Chairman of the committee, Beni Lar from plateau state, who reiterated the committee’s commitment to ensuring adequate provision of funds for the sector rescheduled the appointment to a later day.
Aisha Adesanya\Abuja
Enuwa Ochai Ben Akabueze, budget, budget defence, Zainab Ahmed
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