Niger Delta Ministry's Budget Never Rejected- Akpabio

– Minister of Niger Delta,Gods will Akpabio said that the senate committee on Niger Delta never rejected its ministry’s budget
– He said: “I agree with them but unfortunately, we are working under a very tight envelope
– The ministry was allocated about N23 billion; 60 per cent of it will go to already existing projects in the region and 40 per cent will go to probably new projects
 
The Minister of Niger Delta,Sen Goodwill Apkabio has said that the Senate Committee on Niger Delta never rejected its budget but only asked his ministry to re-present it, following omission of major ongoing projects in its capital appropriation.
Akpabio made this known when fielding questions from journalist after appearing before the senate committee on Niger Delta, in Abuja.
Akpabio lamented that out of the capital appropriation of N35.2billion for 2019, no kobo was released to the ministry.
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The Minister noted that the 2020 budget proposal was prepared using the approved zero-based budgeting approach and in line with the Medium Term Expenditure Framework/Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP).
When asked about the committee’s reaction of the ministry’s budget.
He said: “I agree with them but unfortunately, we are working under a very tight envelope.
“The ministry was allocated about N23 billion; 60 per cent of it will go to already existing projects in the region and 40 per cent will go to probably new projects.
“So if you look at it very well, it is not possible for you to capture all projects with that amount and it is not even going to be possible to complete even 10 kilometres of road in the region.
“So, I think instead of saying that the budget was rejected, I think that the distinguished Senators should collectively make an appeal to the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning to improve upon the envelope to expand it a little, so it can capture at least substantially most of the yearnings and aspirations of the good people of the Niger Delta.”
In his presentation, Akpabio said that the capital allocation, which is N23,890,350,399.00, is considered inadequate considering the ministry’s mandate.
Apkpabio said: “An analysis of the 2020 budget estimates reveals that an average sum of N2,626,705,599.00 is allocated to each of the nine states of the region based on the capital ceiling.
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“This amount, which is expected to cater for roads, environment, health, social inclusion and provision of water, which are priority needs of the people of the region, in accordance with the ERGP, cannot conveniently pay for a quality 10km road in any part of the states in the region, thus underscoring the inadequacy of the ceiling given to the ministry.
“This gross inadequate funding has led over the years to the following: a plethora of abandoned/uncompleted projects, protracted delay in project delivery, negative perception of the ministry, loss-of-faith in the Federal Government by the people of the region, and difficulty in the realisation of Mr. President’s vision for the region.”