Federal Character yet to receive N386.373m capital release, budgets N2.995bn for 2020

The Federal Character Commission has disclosed that it has not received the N386.373 million appropriated for it in the 2019 budget for 11 capital projects.

However, the Commission in anticipation of the releases had taken all necessary procurement due process measures, including advertisement to ensure that projects are executed as soon as funds are released.

Abdullahi Shinkafi, acting executive chairman, Federal Character Commission, stated this Tuesday during defence of the 2020 budget proposals before the House of Representatives Committee on Federal Character, chaired by Yahaya Kasuda (APC, Katsina).

Shinkafi, represented by secretary of the Commission, Mohammed Tukur, while speaking on the 2019 budget performance, said the sum of N 2.352 billion was appropriated in personnel cost out of which N1.459 billion has been used to payment of salaries as at September while N486.424 million is left for paying salaries for the remaining months of the year.

According to the secretary, the sum of N372.635 million was appropriated for overhead but only N186.317 million has been released as at date, representing 50% of the appropriation, adding that the sum of N159.437 million was realised by the Commission as internally generated revenue.

Read also: As FG struggles to fund budget, here are 4 things sucking up its revenue

“Honourable Members, despite the fact the Commission prioritizes expenditure in the light of funding challenges, the provisions of the operational cost in terms of utilities, materials and supplies, maintenance services, fuelling and lubricants, security services, cleaning services, monitoring local government travels to 36 States and the FCT has become very difficult,” Tukur lamented.

Presenting the 2020 budget estimates, the Chairman representative said N 2.995 billion has been proposed, out of which N 2.390 billion is for personnel cost, N372,635 million is earmarked for overhead cost while N231.824 is meant for capital projects.

After various observations and explanations, the Committee urged the Management of Federal Character Commission to rework the budget and merge similar subheadings, adjust the figures and take them to tangible capital projects.

The subheadings recommended include Inspection and Evaluation of Projects and Programmes Executed by Ministries, Departments and Agencies, ongoing Sensitization and Public Enlightenment on Socio-Economic Amenities, Integrating Strategic Partnership with Critical Stakeholders, among others.