By Mercy Aikoye
The National Assembly’s joint Committee on Agricultural Production and Services has issued a stern warning to agencies under the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security. The committee threatened zero allocation for agencies whose Chief Executive Officers fail to appear in person to defend their 2025 budget estimates. This warning was prompted by the absence of the Director General of the Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service, Dr. Vincent Isegbe, during the budget defense session.
Senator Saliu Mustapha, Chairman of the Senate Committee, expressed disappointment that despite the President’s directive for all heads of agencies to appear before the National Assembly, some chose to travel at this critical time. Mustapha emphasized that there was no reason for the Chief Executive, who is the accounting officer, not to appear before the committee. He ordered Isegbe to appear and defend his budget estimates by Monday, January 20.
The committee’s warning is a clear indication of their commitment to ensuring accountability and transparency in the budgeting process. Mustapha stated that the President made it clear that all heads of agencies must appear before the National Assembly to defend their estimates. He also emphasized that the committee has a time frame to submit their report and will not tolerate any excuses.
Senator Mustapha also highlighted the critical role of agriculture in ensuring food security, economic stability, and rural development. He noted that the projections by the World Food Programme, which indicate that 33.1 million Nigerians will face food insecurity in 2025, are a clear indication that food security is a challenge that must be addressed. Mustapha emphasized the need for adequate budgetary provisions to address the challenges facing the agricultural sector.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Agricultural Services and Production, Bello Kaoje, also warned against agencies failing to come forward to defend their budgets. Kaoje stated that the President’s appearance before a joint session of the National Assembly to present the budget underscores the importance of budgetary provisions. He emphasized that there is no reason for any Head of agency not to appear before the parliament at this critical time.
Kaoje also highlighted the challenges facing the country, including food security, which led to the President declaring a state of emergency on food security in 2024. He assured that the committee will work to ensure that the budget is enhanced to address these challenges. Kaoje emphasized the need for collaboration between the committee and the appropriation committee to ensure that the renewed hope agenda of the President is achieved in the area of food security.
The National Assembly’s commitment to ensuring accountability and transparency in the budgeting process is a step in the right direction. By threatening zero allocation for non-compliant agencies, the committee is sending a strong message that they will not tolerate any excuses or lack of accountability.
In conclusion, the National Assembly’s joint Committee on Agricultural Production and Services is taking a firm stance on ensuring accountability and transparency in the budgeting process. Their warning to agencies under the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security is a clear indication of their commitment to addressing the challenges facing the agricultural sector and ensuring food security in Nigeria.
