The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Beta Edu has lamented the budget allocated to her ministry, saying it was paltry and cannot alleviate poverty.
She raised the alarm while defending the 2024 budget of the ministry at the National Assembly Tuesday in Abuja.
She made the assertions to Senator Idiat Adebule-led Senate Committee on Poverty Alleviation, noting that the sum of N532.5 billion which represents a 28% increase over the 2023 budget was grossly inadequate and cannot cushion the effects of inflation.
She insisted that the 28% increase in the overhead ceiling is not comensurate to the 27.33 per cent inflationary rate in the economy today.
”The capital budget ceiling was reduced from N3.7bn in 2022 to N1.328316bn in 2023 and it represents 71 per cent reduction.
”So, in the 2022 and 2023 there was a 71% reduction.
Dr Edu pleaded with the panel to look into her envelope with a view to increase it so her ministry can tackle poverty in line with its mandate.
“I like to plead humbly and sincerely with the chairman, co-chair and members of this great Committee that as we look into Nigeria as a nation.”
The Chairman of the Committee, Idiat Adebule asked whether the Minister presented the budget for the Trust Fund at the budget planning stage.
Beta Edu said it was presented to the Ministry of Budget but that it was not reflected in what her ministry got back.
Edu said, “This was clearly stated as an omission and that is why we are asked to bring in as a memo to the committee to see how they can consider it.