NASS Summons Finance Minister, Others Over Paltry Budget Allocation to Solid Minerals

By Comfort Chukwukelue

The National Assembly has summoned the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, to explain the rationale behind the meager N9 billion budgetary allocation to the Ministry of Solid Minerals in the proposed 2025 fiscal year.

NASS Summons Finance Minister, Others Over Paltry Budget Allocation to Solid Minerals
NASS Summons Finance Minister, Others Over Paltry Budget Allocation to Solid Minerals

Also summoned are the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, and the Director-General of the Budget Office, Tanimu Yakubu.

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This directive, issued by the National Assembly’s joint committee on solid minerals, follows the refusal of the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning to appear before the committee last Wednesday as requested.

Chairman of the committee, Senator Sampson Ekong (PDP, Akwa Ibom South), expressed dissatisfaction during the budget defense session when the Minister of Solid Minerals, Mr. Dele Alake, presented the N9 billion allocation for the ministry. The committee had previously rejected the allocation as insufficient, citing the critical role of the solid minerals sector in diversifying the nation’s economy.

Senator Ekong stated:
“Solid minerals is a very vital sector needed for diversification of the nation’s economy. We declared last week that the N9 billion proposed for the ministry for the 2025 fiscal year was grossly inadequate and rejected the proposal but are surprised that it is the same proposal the minister came with today.

“Therefore, in line with our resolution, this joint committee still rejects the N9 billion proposal for the solid minerals ministry and summons the ministers of finance, budget and economic planning, and the DG Budget to appear before it tomorrow (today) by 3 pm prompt.”

Earlier, Minister Dele Alake lamented his failed efforts to secure an upward review of the allocation. He outlined meetings held with President Bola Tinubu, the Finance Minister, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, and the DG Budget Office, all of whom assured him that the allocation would be reviewed. However, no changes have been made to the proposed budget.

Alake said:
“I met the president on the need for upward review of the N9 billion budgetary proposal for the Ministry of Solid Minerals, met the minister of finance, met his counterpart in the ministry of budget and economic planning, and also met the director-general of the Budget Office. They all gave assurances upon assurances to get the N9 billion proposal reviewed upward but am surprised that up till now, nothing of such has been done.”

The committee’s frustration was echoed by Kama Nkemkanma, a member from Delta State, who described the 2025 budget as one of “sabotage,” claiming that critical sectors essential for economic growth were being underfunded.

“The affected ministers and DG, Budget Office must appear before this joint committee as resolved,” Nkemkanma asserted.

The summoned officials are expected to address the committee today by 3 pm to provide clarity on the contentious allocation.

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