Minister of Regional Development Faces Scrutiny Over Alleged Budget Disparities
The National Assembly Joint Committee on Regional Development has raised concerns over alleged budgetary imbalance in the Ministry of Regional Development’s 2024 allocations. The Minister, Abubakar Momoh, was questioned on Tuesday when he appeared alongside the Minister of State, Uba Maigari, to defend the ministry’s budget performance and present proposals for 2025.
Lawmakers Question Project Allocation
Members of the committee accused Momoh of disproportionately allocating resources to his home state, Edo, at the expense of other states within the Niger Delta region. They highlighted that 70% of the ministry’s 2024 projects were concentrated in Edo State, contrary to the principle of federal character.
Representative Matthew Nwogu challenged the minister to explain the rationale behind the skewed distribution.
“Mr. Minister, tell us why most of these 2024 budget projects are concentrated in Edo State,” Nwogu demanded.
Similarly, Chinedu Ogar, another lawmaker, echoed the concerns, emphasizing that his constituents were dissatisfied with the perceived favoritism.
“Honourable Minister, as a former lawmaker, you understand the importance of fairness in budget allocation. Why is nearly 70% of your projects based in Edo State?” Ogar questioned.
Minister’s Justification and Budget Overview
To address these concerns, Chairman of the House Committee on Regional Development, Eugene Okechukwu, suggested that the minister provide clarifications during a closed-door executive session.
While presenting the 2024 budget performance, Momoh explained that out of the ₦20 billion allocated for capital projects, ₦2 billion was designated for zonal intervention projects under the influence of House Leader, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, who is also from Edo State.
For 2025, the minister revealed a ₦28.9 billion budget proposal, consisting of:
• ₦24 billion for capital projects
• ₦2.7 billion for personnel costs
• ₦1.6 billion for recurrent expenditure
He lamented that the budgetary allocation was insufficient to meet the developmental needs of the five regional development commissions under the ministry.
“The limited funds have hindered the completion of crucial projects. We appeal to this committee to advocate for an increased allocation in 2025,” Momoh stated.
Challenges in Project Completion
The minister noted that inadequate funding had resulted in a backlog of unfinished projects, leaving contractors unpaid and unwilling to continue work.
“When we assumed office, we assessed all ongoing projects, and what initially required about ₦5 billion to complete has now ballooned to nearly ₦70 billion. Many contractors have refused to return to site due to outstanding debts,” he explained.
To address these issues, Momoh outlined specific allocations for 2025, including:
• ₦2 billion for women empowerment and capacity building
• ₦1 billion for livelihood support initiatives
• ₦600 million for medical outreach programs in rural communities
He emphasized that the ministry had to prioritize ongoing projects over new ones due to financial constraints.
“With a capital ceiling of only ₦24 billion, we had to adopt strategic parameters in project selection. This meant focusing on completing existing projects rather than initiating new ones,” he said.
Lawmakers Call for Equitable Distribution
Senate Committee Chairman, Olajide Ipinsagba, hailed the transformation of the former Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs into the Ministry of Regional Development, calling it a landmark decision aimed at nationwide development.
“This ministry now carries a broader mandate, ensuring no region is left behind in national development,” Ipinsagba remarked.
However, Okechukwu urged the ministry to ensure equitable project distribution, warning that favoring certain regions could create discontent and hinder the President’s vision for regional development.
“Disproportionate allocation of resources breeds disaffection. We expect the ministry to collaborate with the National Assembly to secure adequate funding while ensuring fairness,” he stated.
Final Appeals for Increased Funding
Momoh reiterated that additional funding was crucial for the ministry to deliver on its mandate.
“We are advocating for more resources to fulfill the President’s vision for regional development. Without sufficient funds, critical projects will remain stalled,” he concluded.
The lawmakers assured the minister of their support for increased budgetary allocations, provided that resources were fairly distributed across all states.
No comments:
Post a Comment