NASS threatens to withdraw funding for NPA, NRC, NCAA, others
…Marwa seeks NASS support, defends N67.5B 2025 NDLEA budget
…As Reps threaten to recommend scrapping non-performing agencies
By Seun Ibiyemi
The National Assembly Joint Committee on Finance has given revenue generating agencies of government 48 hours ultimatum to appear before the parliament or risk being withdrawn from government funding for 2025 operations.
This is even as Chairman/Chief Executive officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) appealed to the National Assembly while defending is N67.5 billion 2025 budget for their continued support to enhance the capacity and capability of the agency to deliver on its mandate.
The joint committee decried the failure of the agencies to honour invitation and appear for 2025 budget defence and their revenue generating profile.
The agencies include the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND).
Others include the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), the Nigerian Postal Service (NPS), the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority, and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
The Nigerian Copyright Commission, the National Insurance Commission, the National Pensions Commission, the National Space Research and Development Agency, and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency are also included.
Additionally, the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation, the Airspace Management Authority, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Limited, the Transmission Company of Nigeria, the Bank of Industry (BOI), the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, and Zaria are also listed.
Speaking during the second day of the revenue profiling exercise, Chairman of the Senate Committee of Finance, Sen. Sani Musa (APC-Niger) said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu while presenting the 2025 budget to the National Assembly, mandated all ministers and heads of agencies to appear to defend their respective budgets before the Assembly with every sense of responsibility.
According to Senator Musa, members of the National Assembly had to cut short their Christmas holidays to attend the national assignment.
“But to our dismay a lot of agencies have refused to honour our invitations to appear before us, for us to scrutinise their performances in 2024 and look at their 2025 projection, if it is justifiable.
“So by virtue of the constitutional powers that have been given to the joint committees on finance of both the Senate and the House of Representatives, we are giving the chief executives of these agencies 48 hours within which to appear before this joint committee.
“Failure to do that, the committee will not hesitate to recommend to the Appropriation Committee to withhold any appropriation to these agencies. If these agencies are self funded, we will also request both the Minister of Finance and the Accountant General of the Federation to withhold their funding,” he said.
Also speaking, Chairman, House Committee on Finance, Rep. James Faleke (APC-Lagos state) said that the essence of the budget defence exercise was to boost revenue generation and cut down on borrowing.
“If these agencies refuse to appear before us, the needful will be done by the National Assembly,” he said.
…Marwa seeks NASS support, defends N67.5B 2025 NDLEA budget
Also, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), has appealed to the National Assembly for continued support to enhance the agency’s capacity and capability to fulfil its mandate.
He expressed his appreciation to Parliament, particularly the Senate and House Committees on Narcotic Drugs, for their commitment to the nation’s fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.
Marwa made the appeal on Monday 13th and Tuesday 14th January, when he led his management team to defend the 2025 budget proposal of the agency before the House Committee on Narcotic Drugs and Senate Committee on Drugs and Narcotics, respectively.
He also thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unwavering encouragement to the NDLEA.
“I wish to first appreciate the honourable chairman, the deputy chairman, and distinguished members of this esteemed committee for your invaluable and consistent support throughout the 2024 fiscal year. This committee, under its able and dynamic chairman, has demonstrated remarkable courage and commitment towards the war against drug abuse. In particular, your efforts towards amending the NDLEA Act are also highly appreciated.
“And I respectfully ask your good offices to continue to assist us in addressing our critical needs during the appropriation process. Our commands across the federation face significant challenges, particularly a lack of accommodation.
“I cannot overstate this matter because it all comes to my desk when we receive reports of attacks on our officers, resulting in fatalities. We trust that this esteemed committee will do its best to address this issue. We understand that there are compelling demands from other MDAs, but the barracks project is critical to the operational efficiency and success of the NDLEA.
“I must not forget to seize this opportunity to also appreciate President Bola Tinubu for his ongoing support and encouragement to the agency. I also wish to reaffirm the agency’s unwavering commitment to working collaboratively with the National Assembly, especially this esteemed committee, to advance our shared vision of a drug-free Nigeria.
“With your support, we are confident in our ability to enhance our operations and fulfil our mandate of safeguarding the security of our nation,” Marwa stated, while pleading for budgetary provision for the ongoing barracks accommodation for the agency’s personnel, to enhance their security, dedication, and performance.
In the 2025 budget proposal, the agency was allocated Sixty-Seven Billion Five Hundred and Twelve Million Five Hundred and Sixty-Four Thousand Sixty-Three Naira Eighty Kobo (N67,512,564,063.80), with recurrent personnel costs amounting to N47,159,240,496.80, recurrent overheads at N3,384,332,017.00, and capital expenditure at N16,968,991,550.00.
Marwa explained that the recurrent personnel costs reflect the agency’s staff strength, totalling over 14,038 officers, both men and women, while the recurrent overheads cover operational expenses, including intelligence gathering, arrests, seizures, investigations, and prosecutions.
The NDLEA Chairman called for an enhancement of the N16 billion allocated for capital expenditure, which has no provision for the ongoing barracks project. This funding is vital for the agency to continue providing secure accommodation for its workforce across the country.
“The agency faces growing challenges, including sophisticated drug cartels, drug abuse, and inadequate critical infrastructure. To address these issues, the NDLEA has embarked on reforms, including the construction of barracks to accommodate its personnel, improve operational integrity, and ensure security.
“Currently, many commands operate from rented facilities, which are inadequate for effective administration. Proper accommodation will enhance staff morale, ensure security, and strengthen the agency’s capacity to execute its mandate,” Marwa said.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the House Committee on Narcotic Drugs, Honourable Abass Adigun, assured the agency of the committee’s commitment to ensuring adequate funding to support the NDLEA’s operational success.
“This committee recognises the critical role the NDLEA plays in safeguarding our communities from the scourge of narcotics and illicit substances. As we engage in today’s deliberations, we remain committed to ensuring that public funds are allocated efficiently, with a focus on measurable outcomes, transparency, and accountability. I urge all participants to contribute thoughtfully as we work together to ensure the NDLEA is well-resourced to fulfil its vital mandate in the new year,” the lawmaker stated.
On Tuesday 14th January 2025, Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Drugs and Narcotics, congratulated the agency for its outstanding performance in 2024.
“We are all witnesses to the good work you are doing, and we are proud of your performance,” the committee chairman stated, assuring the agency of continued support to enable it to function effectively in the coming year.
…As Reps threaten to recommend scrapping non-performing agencies
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Science Engineering, Inuwa Garba (PDP, Gombe) said on Tuesday that the committee may recommend the scrapping of some agencies of government for failing to live up to the mandate for which they were established.
The committee expressed displeasure with some agencies such as the Sheda Science and Technology Complex (SHETSCO ) and other officials of the agency over award of contract and non-completion of projects in Adamawa, Taraba, Bauchi and Gombe states.
Speaking at a budget defence, the Committee Chairman threatened that the committee would recommend to the House the scrapping of some agencies in line with the Steve Oronsanye report if the agencies are not living up to their responsibilities.
He said: “Most of their budget is just repetition to the extent that some don’t even want anybody to know what they are doing.
“Though some agencies are very relevant and are up and doing and very effective and supportive of government policies and programs, when we finish, we are coming out to say our stand as a committee and present our report to the appropriation committee.”
Reacting to the agencies involved Inuwa said: “I will not say it now because we are yet to come to a final conclusion. But when we finish, we will call the agencies, call the head of the agencies and say why and how we are making that recommendation.
“A lot of abnormalities are happening in most of the agencies. You can see one budget repeated for 5, 6, 7 years and the money keeps increasing. Another year, you will see the same project under the same agency, but the money will change.
“So, honestly, I can’t say I’m comfortable for now. But what we have seen, a lot needs to be done in the budget and procurement process in our agencies, ministries and parastatals, so that we can be able to come up with something that will help the government and the people of this country.”
Director-General of the Sheda Science and Technology Complex, Paul Onyenekwe blamed the envelope system of budgeting by the federal government for the non completion of on-going projects by the agency.
He informed the House Committee that the 2024 budget of the agency was N1.2 billion which was used for the operationalisation of its centres and payment of staff emoluments.
He also said that the agency embarked on construction of staff quarters for its staff when it discovered that many of them were coming to work in the agency from very remote areas from the office.
On the 2024 budget review, he said that the agency got N69,569,607,924 00 as capital, N1,007,665.,803 00 as personnel and N382,552.074.00 as overhead cost.
He also stated that they had embarked on construction of drainages and culverts in four northern states of the country namely Adamawa, Taraba, Bauchi and Gombe states
