Minister Disowns N206bn Inserted in her Ministry’s 2023 Budget Estimates
Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq on Monday disowned the N206 billion inserted by the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning in her Ministry’s budget proposal for the 2023 fiscal year.
Farouk while defending the Ministry’s budget for 2023 before the Senate Committee on Special Duties claimed that the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development had in their 2022 budget requested for some projects for the North East Development Commission, NEDC and National Social Safety Net Project but the funds appropriated were not released.
The Minister while responding to questions from Senators on why the total money has suddenly increased said, her Ministry is surprised to see the money earmarked for the projects jerked up in the 2023 Budget of the Ministry without clear cut explanation on what they are meant for.
She promised to interface with the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning on the matter and get back to the Committee members.
The Committee chaired by Senator Yusuf Abubakar Yusuf resolved to summon the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed to appear before the lawmakers to provide explanation on the N206 billion inserted in the 2023 budget estimates of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.
A similar incident played out last week when the Nigerian Senate questioned the Minister of Defence, Major-General Bashir Magashi (Rtd) over N10.8bn insertion in his Ministry’s 2023 budget estimates earmarked for purchase of military equipment and safe school initiative during the budget defence session.
The Minister had told the lawmakers that the insertion was from the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning which the Senate Committee on Defence resolved to step down such projects worth N10.8bn
