Reps may withhold approval for 2011 agric budget

There are indications that the House of Representatives may again be heading for a showdown with the presidency as the lower chamber plans to withhold the 2011 budget for agriculture.

THE Chairman House Committee on Agriculture, Hon. Gbenga Makanjuola, who briefed journalists when he visited the wards in his constituency, said the planned action followed the inability of the executive to implement the sector’s budget for last year.

The lawmaker who represents Irepodun/Isin/Omu-aran federal constituency also noted that the Federal Ministry of Agriculture would not get the House approval for any additional funds until an explanation of how the money released to the sector in the last four years was given.

Makanjuola submitted that though successive governments had neglected the sector due to the discovery of oil wealth, the present administration had also compounded the problems in the sector.


He explained that the neglect of agriculture was not caused by the legislators, but the presidency that had always refused to release the funds allocated to the sector without any form of explanation.

He maintained that the country would continue to witness serious challenges in food sufficiency until the government decided to give the necessary attention to the sector.

The lawmaker, who argued that the sustenance of agricultural growth rested on research, added that even when hefty money was budgeted for research, it was not released.

Makanjuola said, “The House, I say this with all sense of responsibility, may not approve a single kobo for the ministry of agriculture until we are satisfied with what they have done with our money in the last four years. They must account for it.

“The money is in their accounts and they will refuse to award contracts. Even as we talk now, the ministry is yet to advertise their appropriation for 2010.

“We will use the mechanism of checks and balances to make sure things change for the better. Today, a parasitical which is supposed to get N39m is given N200,000. What do you want them to do with it? Is it meant for fuelling or what? We cannot continue like this.”