HoR C’ttee queries FFS over discrepancies on budget proposals
By Tom Okpe
The Joint Committee of the National Assembly on Interior, Senate and the House of Representatives, has queried the Federal Fire Service, FFS, over various discrepancies in the Agency’s budget proposals, stepping down its 2025 budget defence.
The Committee, took this decision when the Agency, FFS Controller General, Jaji Abdulganiyu Idris, appeared before it at the National Assembly, Abuja on Friday, during it’s 2025, budget Defence..
Chairman of the Committee, Senator Adams Oshiomhole and Co-Chairman, Rep Abdullahi Aliyu Ahmed, while scrutinizing the Agency’s report, revealed inconsistencies in the pricing of firefighting trucks.
Among various infractions, the Committee noted that 10 trucks were procured at N1.5 billion in one instance and at N2.5 billion in another, despite being from the same company and of the same specifications.
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Senator Oshiomhole said: “This is what some may call over-padding or over-invoicing. It is a very serious matter. What you wrote contradicts what you are saying, and we hold you to your written statements.”
The FFS budget proposal for 2025 included a projected outstanding payment of N603 billion for existing contracts, but lawmakers questioned the lack of clarity on these commitments.
The Committee Chairman, Oshiomhole further stressed that there is need to appreciate the difference between contract commitments and proposals without proper documentation, saying; “this committee cannot approve your budget.”
He emphasized the importance of fiscal responsibility and accountability, stating that when you come before this Committee, be ready. We will be critical, not to cause you trouble, but to ensure Nigerians get value for their money.
“Government should be less wasteful. Every N10 lost by MDAs, when multiplied across all agencies, becomes an alarming figure. As our President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, keeps reminding us, he is trying to draw a bucket of water from a dry well.
“It is our duty to ensure that the little, drawn is properly distributed, so that every Nigerian gets a sip, especially the poor,” he said.
The Committee also queried the agency for lack of proper information on evidence for revenue, generated.
The FFS Controller General, Idris, was unable to provide proof of revenue remittance, presenting manual receipts that the Committee rejected as insufficient.
The lawmakers demanded bank statements and evidence from the Accountant-General’s office to validate the transactions.
Following the numerous discrepancies, the Committee decided to step down the FFS budget defence, demanding a revised and accurate submission.
