The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, on Monday accused the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Bagudu, of removing the proposed fund approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in the 2024 budget proposal being considered by the National Assembly.
Dr. Edu disclosed this during the 2023 budget performance and 2024 budget defence held at the instance of the joint Senate and House of Representatives’ Committees on Special Duties, chaired by Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan (APC-Borno Central).
Some of the lawmakers who spoke during the budget defence, expressed grave displeasure over the failure of the Ministry to provide palliatives to the majority of Nigerians, and demanded for the full details of the N10 billion special intervention fund provided for in the 2024 budget proposal.
The lawmakers, who commended the Minister for the series of initiatives unveiled so far since assumption of office, emphasized the need for “complete break” from what transpired in the last administration which they argued “was far far below the expectations of Nigerians.”
The lawmakers also requested an explanation on why the sum of N208 billion bilateral loan provided for in the 2023 Appropriation was not provided for in the 2024 budget proposal.
While responding to some of the questions, the Minister, who did not disclose the actual amount approved by FEC, however noted that: “The Federal Executive Council has recently approved the creation of the humanitarian and poverty alleviation trust fund which was sent in as part of budget appropriation for 2024.
“Unfortunately, that was omitted which the Minister for Budget expressly apologised for that omission.
“We seek that, that be included and the government’s portion because it’s a flexible form of funding for humanitarian intervention across the country which already I had given a clear picture of what the humanitarian issues across the country looks like.”
She however observed that the list of the programmes which were captured in the Ministry’s budget proposal are not just for the purpose of the budgetary allocation, “but it’s because we want you to be part of the implementation and to work with us on it.”
She argued that if the Ministry can get that budget flying for the Poverty Alleviation and Humanitarian Trust Fund, it will be able to get funding from there to address all of those programmes encapsulated in the 2024 budget proposal.
“I would want to address some of the issues raised really very quickly, first he mentioned the capital budget which of course is not reflected in the 2024.
“We want to plead, it’s one of the things I said it was an omission because it is supposed to be a counterpart between us as government, the private sector, the Development Partners and others. That was omitted. We want to believe that that will be returned back to the budget.
“Like you said, there are many programmes to be done. Where would these programmes be done from? We must actually be sincere if we are actually delivering the renewed hope of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and we are actually going to meet the expectations of many Nigerians.
Speaking earlier, the Minister observed that 133 million Nigerians are living under the poverty line and over 16 million Nigerians are affected by various humanitarian crises, aside from other nationals of Cameroon, Niger Republic and Chad also came into Nigeria as Refugees.
The Minister who pledged the present administration’s resolve to ensure accountability of the resources approved for the implementation of various programmes, said: “The Senate and the House of Representatives can hold us accountable for what is done as it concerns the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“We would ensure we go to the grassroot and we would ensure we go there with you, we will go there with you to implement. At least when you are on the field with us implementing, and you see what is going on and you’re sure that your people have benefited from it, then you can be the one that will preach our own gospel when we come for the next budget session.”
When asked whether the proposed budget in the 2024 budget estimates submitted to the National Assembly will be sufficient for the implementation of various projects and programmes captured in the budget, Dr. Edu said: “our budget is far from reality.
“Very far from reality. Yes of course, I’m not sitting down and expect that the Nigerian Government has limited resources and several other competing interests will provide all of the funds that we need.
“And that’s why we created the humanitarian and poverty alleviation trust fund. We’ve been out to New York, to Saudi Arabia, we’ve been to Dubai for COP and several other engagements and we have people, individuals, private sector leaders as well as development partners that are ready to key into this fund.
“But of course, they will key into this fund, when they see commitment from us as a nation. And that’s why again, we are appealing to this very exalted Committee who is in charge a critical aspect of government, if not the most critical aspect of government to provide the welfare for its Citizens, to please look into our budget envelope and see how you can help us, include just a budget line and then put in the required funds that can help us address this.”
When asked whether the Ministry is being support from the Service Wide Vote or not, the Minister said: “We are not being supported presently from the Service Wide Vote. Previously, before this time in 2001 and 2002, there was support to the Ministry from the Service Wide Vote.
“Unfortunately, in 2023 there was no support from the Service Wide Vote. We plead that this also be included for the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.”
In his response, Senator Shehu who presided over the session, said: “Why we deliberately ask this type of question is, all of us here are elected representatives and the primary purpose of government is the provision of security to the people. Security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government and we are also concerned, so we will now put heads together as a joint Committee to look at it.
“We have said it before to other agencies, this so-called envelope, we are also not comfortable with it. If Nigerians are to be catered for, to live with human dignity, this so-called envelope must be cancelled.
“So, we will ensure that we meet among ourselves as a joint Committee, we are also going to meet the Appropriation Committee and the leadership of the National Assembly if we are to do justice to the poor out there.
“It is either we will live to our responsibility or we are going to fail collectively. And we are not going to fail, we must ensure that Nigerians are supported through the budget system by removing this envelope as well as also supporting ministries, departments and agencies that have to do with humanitarian activities and get the Service Wide Vote.”
When asked about the update on the proposed establishment of Humanitarian hubs across the 774 Local Government Councils of the country, she explained that the national humanitarian hub is to be completed in the next three months, adding that the regional and state hubs will also be given priority subsequently
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