An increase of N44 million has been made to the budget of the Niger Delta Development Agency by the Senate.
This adjustment raised the budget from N1,911,800,000,000 to N1,911,844,833,046.
The Senate committee reviewed increases in personnel costs, overhead costs, and internal capital estimates, as well as changes in the revenue projections of the commission.
Additionally, they considered an extra amount of N44.8 million, representing the variance between the revenue forecasts submitted by the commission and the sum approved by the National Assembly.
Following this, the Senate integrated the modifications in the Appropriations Act, 2024 and recommended the subsequent spending breakdown:
“Personnel Expenditure: 38,545,349,193; Overhead Expenditure: 29,246,506,753; Internal Capital Expenditure: 8,785,574,130; Development Projects: 835,267,402,970; Legacy Critical Projects to be financed through Borrowings: 1,000,000,000,000, totaling N1,911,844,833,046.
“The Year 2024 NDDC budget is set to expire on 31st December 2024.”
The Commission had initially presented a budget of N1.91 trillion to the Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs on Monday.
Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, the agency’s Managing Director, highlighted that the budget prioritizes enhancing security, job creation, empowerment of youth and women, social welfare, education, and infrastructure improvements.
He emphasized, “The proposed budget aims to shift the focus of the commission from transactions to transformations, developed through participatory budgeting involving major stakeholders in the Niger Delta Region, themed ‘Budget of Renewed Hope Agenda.’”
Upon passage of the bill, Senator Ekpenyong Asuquo, the Committee Chairman, submitted the report within 12 hours after the agency defended its budget.
Senator Solomon Adeola raised concerns about the lack of a proper assessment of the agency’s budget performance in 2023 before approving the 2024 budget, in line with legislative traditions.
He questioned, “How can a new proposal be accepted without reviewing the execution of the previous year’s budget to justify a fresh proposal?”
Likewise, Senator Adamu Aliero noted that the NDDC’s budget proposal includes a N1 trillion borrowing plan not aligned with regulations.
He stressed the necessity for proper utilization of the appropriated funds by NDDC, given its significant budget exceeding that of two entire states without visible impact.
In his remarks, Senator Adams Oshiomhole highlighted the evolving nature of the NDDC and suggested that the agency could seek borrowing approval from the Senate post-budget approval, advising against judging the NDDC solely on its historical challenges.
He recalled the demand from South-South governors for a forensic audit of the NDDC’s accounts, stating, “We agreed on conducting a forensic audit of the NDDC, ensuring payments for completed projects and segregating uncompleted ones.”
Senator Seriake Dickson advocated for continued support for the NDDC post forensic audit.
Following deliberations, Senate President Godswill Akpabio called for a vote, leading to the budget’s passage into law.