We need  clarification on insertion of N206bn for military equipment in our ministry’s budget – Hajiya Farouk

By Adekunle Adesuji

The Mnister of humanitarian affairs, disaster management, and social development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq, has demanded for clarification in the insertion of N206 billion for Military equipment in the Ministry 2023 budget.

The Minister of Finance, Ahmed Zainab had claimed that the N206 billion was provided for social safety need project.

But, Minister who appeared before the Senate Committee on Special Duties on Thursday explained that the naration in the budget of the Ministry was that the N206 billion was meant for the purchase of Military equipment.

Speaking further, she said that the Minister of Finance needed to appear before the Committee and give clarification on the issue at stake.

Hajiya Farouk said, “On the N206bn, when we saw it, we didn’t understand what it was meant for because the explanation wasn’t clear.

“If you put N206bn in Humanitarian Affairs ministry’s budget and the narration is purchase of military equipment, definitely something is wrong.

“That’s why I said I’m not going to say anything about it until we get clarification from the Ministry of Finance.

“If we had requested for N206bn for a different project and then in the appropriation bill, it is reading something else, we will not own it.

When the minister was pressed further whether she requested N206bn for another project, but it came with another narration, she simply said, “It is not exactly that way, and that’s why we need that clarity from Finance ministry