NASS Summons Edun, Bagudu, DG Budget Over Poor Allocation to Solid Minerals Sector

Solid Minerals: NASS Summons Edun, Bagudu, DG Budget over Meager Allocation

Published 59 minutes ago | January 21, 2025
By The Big Eye

The National Assembly on Monday summoned the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, alongside the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, and the Director-General of the Budget Office, Tanimu Yakubu, over the inadequate budgetary allocation for the Ministry of Solid Minerals in the 2025 fiscal year.

The summons was issued by the National Assembly’s Joint Committee on Solid Minerals, following the refusal of the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning to appear before the committee as directed last Wednesday.

The joint committee, chaired by Senator Sampson Ekong (PDP, Akwa Ibom South), had last week expressed dissatisfaction with the N9 billion proposed as the capital vote for the Ministry of Solid Minerals for the 2025 fiscal year. Consequently, it refused to consider the ministry’s budget proposal and instructed the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning to appear before the committee on Monday.

However, Senator Bagudu’s failure to comply, coupled with the Minister of Solid Minerals, Mr. Dele Alake’s, detailed account of unsuccessful efforts to secure an upward review of the proposed allocation, led the committee to expand the summons to include the Director-General of the Budget Office.

The summoned officials are expected to appear before the committee at 3 PM on Tuesday.

Committee Chairman’s Remarks

In announcing the decision, Senator Ekong said:

*”Honorable Minister, we appreciate the determined efforts you’ve made to secure an upward review of the N9 billion budgetary proposal for your ministry. However, it is disappointing that despite your efforts, no additional funds have been allocated.

Solid Minerals is a vital sector for the diversification of our economy. Last week, we rejected the N9 billion proposal as grossly inadequate. Today, we are presented with the same figure, which we still reject.

As such, this committee has resolved to summon the Ministers of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, and the Director-General of the Budget Office to appear before us tomorrow at 3 PM.”*

Minister’s Frustrations

Earlier, Minister Dele Alake recounted his attempts to secure additional funding for the ministry before the presentation of the N49.7 trillion 2025 budget to the National Assembly on December 18, 2024, by President Bola Tinubu.

*”I met with the President on the need for an upward review of the N9 billion allocation. I also held meetings with the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, and the DG Budget Office.

Despite their assurances, I am disheartened to report that no additional funding has been approved, even as I sit here today,”* Alake lamented.

Committee Member’s Outburst

A visibly frustrated committee member, Hon. Kama Nkemkanma from Delta State, described the 2025 budget as a “budget of sabotage,” citing the gross underfunding of critical sectors essential for economic growth.

“The affected Ministers and the DG Budget Office must appear before this joint committee as resolved,” he declared.

The ongoing deliberations reflect the National Assembly’s insistence on prioritizing adequate funding for sectors crucial to Nigeria’s economic diversification and growth.