The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, has presented the Ministry’s 2023 budget estimate to the upper chamber of the National Assembly.
The Minister who was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, 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.
On the performance of the 2022 budget, the Minister revealed that the total sum of N291,652,083.36 only or 58.3% of the total overhead expenditure was released as of 30th September 2022 while 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 utilised 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 were increased from the sum of N499,975,000 in 2022 to the sum of N512,474,375 in 2023 which 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 “, the Minister said
Adding that for the Ministry to have seamless operations and accomplish its mandate which is very critical to overall National Development, the Ministry is requesting an increase/upward review of its Capital and Overhead.
Earlier in his Remarks, the Chairman Senate Committee on Special Duties, Senator Yusuf Yusuf, on behalf of the members of the Committee commended 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.
Dominica Nwabufo
