Capital Budget Crisis: Reps, Senate Panel Decry Zero Release to Interior Ministry
The Joint Committee of the Senate and House of Representatives has expressed displeasure over the non-release of capital funds to the Federal Ministry of Interior.
Lawmakers described the situation as a major setback to project execution.
The concerns were raised during a budget defence session in Abuja on Tuesday with Chairman of the Senate Committee, Senator Adams Oshiomhole leading the session.
Members lamented that capital allocations approved for 2024 and 2025 had not been released. They said the development was unacceptable.
Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji Ojo disclosed that the ministry recorded zero percent capital release for two consecutive years. He made the revelation while briefing lawmakers.
According to the minister, no capital funds approved by the National Assembly were disbursed within the period. He said this stalled critical projects.
Tunji Ojo explained that capital project performance stood at zero percent. He attributed this entirely to the non-release of funds.
He noted that several infrastructure and reform projects were planned across agencies under the ministry, However, implementation could not commence without funding.
Despite the challenge, the minister said the ministry remained fiscally disciplined adding that it consistently remitted its Internally Generated Revenue into the Consolidated Revenue Fund.
Lawmakers expressed frustration over recurring delays in releasing funds to Ministries, Departments and Agencies. They warned that such bottlenecks undermine effective governance.
They urged the executive to ensure timely releases to match approved budgets. Agencies that appeared before the committee included the Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigerian Correctional Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the Federal Fire Service.
