By Victoria Onehi
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, has presented the Ministry’s 2023 budget estimates to the Senate Committee on Special Duties at National Assembly, Abuja.
The Minister during the budget defense stated that the total sum of N35,595,233,430.00 only was allocated to the Ministry’s Headquarters in the 2022 appropriation Act. The budget comprises a total recurrent expenditure of N1,073,705,755.00 only and a total capital allocation of N34,510,760,413.00.
Speaking on the performance of the 2022 budget, the Minister revealed in a Statement that a total sum of N291,652,083.36 only or 58.3% of the total overhead expenditure was released as at 30th September 2022. She said the sum of NI,810,565,093.45 or 48.00% was released for Capital Expenditure for the same period.
She further disclosed that the total sum of N288,041,185.32 Million, or 98.76% of the total amount released for overhead cost was utilized and committed, while 99% of the total Capital releases or the sum of N1,799,286,437.81 only was utilized and committed to finance Capital projects of the Ministry.
On the 2023 budget estimate, the Ministry’s 2023 overhead ceilings was increased from the sum of N499,975,000 in 2022 to the sum of N512,474,375 in 2023. This represents a 7% increase over that of 2022; to cushion the effect of inflation;
Farouq, said It is pertinent to note that the 7% increase in the overhead ceiling is not commensurate to the 20.77% inflationary rate in the economy, conversely, the capital budget ceiling was reduced from the sum of N3,749,510,414.00 to N1,083,017,733 which represents 71% reduction in the 2022 capital budget.
“it is pertinent to note that the 71% reduction in Capital and 7% paltry increase in overhead is grossly inadequate to run its day-to-day operation “. She said.
Farouq noted that for the Ministry to have seamless operations and accomplish its mandate which is very critical to overall National Development, the Ministry is requesting for an increase/upward review of it’s Capital and Overhead.
Earlier in his remark, the Chairman Senate Committee on Special Duties, Senator Yusuf Yusuf, on behalf of the members of the Committee thanked the Minister and her team for the 2022 budget performance and also urged the Ministry to redouble its efforts in carrying out its humanitarian programmes and interventions in the country.
The Minister was at the National Assembly for the budget presentation alongside the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, mni, NPOM, and the Directors of the Ministry.
