Senate Clarifies N3 Trillion Addition to 2024 Budget, Dismisses Padding Allegations
The Senate has addressed the controversy surrounding the 2024 budget, explaining that the additional N3 trillion was allocated to statutory transfers for first-line charge agencies of the government, not as padding. Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Yemi Adaramodu, provided this clarification while discussing the suspension of Abdul Ningi, who had raised the padding allegation.
Ningi, a senator representing Bauchi Central, had claimed in an interview with the BBC Hausa Service that the 2024 budget was padded with approximately N3 trillion. Adaramodu emphasized that the Senate, as a pillar of democracy, acts in the national interest and does not engage in budget padding.
He explained that the N3 trillion in question was allocated for statutory transfers to agencies such as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Public Complaints Commission, National Judicial Council, North East Development Commission (NEDC), and Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), among others, which operate independently of ministries.
Adaramodu dismissed claims of allocating N500 million as constituency funds to senators, calling it a “fairy tale.” He encouraged journalists to scrutinize the 2024 budget to verify allocations to the National Assembly.
Regarding the allegation of regional bias in budget allocation, Adaramodu clarified that allocations were made based on sectors, not regions. He emphasized that the integrity of the National Assembly was at stake and that budget padding was a serious matter.
He reiterated that the N3 trillion was not missing or padded but allocated for agencies on first-line charge. Adaramodu emphasized that the budget process was transparent and done in the public eye, refuting claims of a secret N25 trillion approval.
The Senate’s response to the allegations underscores its commitment to transparency and accountability in budgeting processes. The clarification aims to dispel misconceptions and ensure public trust in the budgetary process.
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