The House of Representatives on Thursday frowned at the abysmally low release of funds to the Federal Ministry of Environment for the implementation of various projects in the 2024 fiscal year.
Speaking during the 2024 budget defence/2025 budget proposal, Chairman of the House Committee on Environment, Hon. Julius Pondi, listed such environmental challenges as deforestation, pollution, erosion, and the effects of climate change on various communities and the nation at large.
Hon. Pondi explained that the outcomes of the 2024 budget review will set the tone for planning and resource allocation in the 2025 budget.
He also expressed concern that, effective 1st January 2024, the Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON) and 13 professional bodies/councils were removed from budgetary allocations, adding that the same 13 bodies have since been reinstated, leaving only the EHCON.
He asked the Minister of Environment to work closely with the Committee to ensure that EHCON is reinstated.
He said: “As a Committee, we are disposed to increased budgetary allocations for this critical sector, in as much as we see key projects that are envisioned that will strengthen climate resilience, combat pollution, enhance community awareness, and ensure accountability in the Year 2025 Budget Proposal of the Ministry and its Agencies.
“Without prejudice, please be reminded that Section 80(4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as Amended) provides that “No moneys shall be withdrawn from the Consolidated Revenue Fund or any other public fund of the Federation, except in a manner prescribed by the National Assembly.”
Hon. Pondi said the budget defence session serves as a cornerstone in the collective efforts to ensure transparency and effective implementation of accountability, environmental programmes, vital to our nation’s health, well-being, and sustainability.
“You may recall that the House of Representatives, on various occasions at plenary, deliberated motions ranging from erosion, desertification, and flood disasters in many parts of the country, necessitating government intervention through the Ministry of Environment and other agencies.
“These unfortunate occurrences have deprived thousands, especially in the country’s agrarian region, of their livelihood and ability to contribute their quota to national development.
“As the People’s Parliament, we have not rested on our oars, neither should any of you. Our primary focus is to evaluate how the financial resources allocated have been utilised to achieve set objectives.
“This session will enable us to identify progress made in implementing projects and programmes across key environmental sectors, address challenges that may have hindered the achievement of goals, and provide actionable input in the 2025 budget.”
In his remarks, Minister of Environment, Abbas Lawal, called for increased budgetary allocation to the Ministry in order to achieve its mandate.
According to him, in 2024, the Ministry installed about 2,200 units of solar street lights in communities and 45 solar-powered boreholes to provide clean water for the people.
He disclosed that the Ministry also installed 5kV solar power in five institutions in Ekpoma – Edo State; Enugu State; Nsukka – Anambra State; Zaria – Kaduna State; and FCT – Abuja, respectively.
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