The National Assembly has once again summoned key government officials to address concerns over the N9 billion allocated to the Ministry of Solid Minerals in the 2025 budget.
The officials summoned include the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, and the Director-General of the Budget Office, Tanimu Yakubu.
This decision was made during a meeting held on Monday by the joint committee on Solid Minerals. The meeting, chaired by Senator Sampson Ekong (PDP, Akwa Ibom South), was called following the absence of Minister Bagudu, who had been previously invited to explain the allocation.
The N9 billion capital vote for the Ministry of Solid Minerals has been widely criticized as insufficient. The Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, voiced his concerns last week, describing the amount as inadequate during his appearance before the committee.
Similarly, the joint committee reiterated that the allocation fell short of what is needed to support the ministry’s objectives.
During Monday’s session, Senator Ekong expressed disappointment over the lack of progress in revising the budgetary allocation despite previous assurances.
He stated, “Hon Minister, we are satisfied with spirited efforts put up by you to get the N9 billion budgetary proposal for your ministry in 2025 reviewed upward by the Ministers in charge and DG budget office, but disappointed that despite the efforts, nothing has been added to the proposed N9 billion.”
The committee, therefore, resolved to summon the ministers and the DG Budget Office to appear before it on Tuesday. Speaking on the matter, committee member Hon. Kama Nkemkanma from Delta State alleged that the 2025 budget prioritizes less critical areas while underfunding essential sectors. “The affected ministers and the DG Budget Office must appear before this joint committee as resolved,” he noted.
