Reps Panel Demands Accountability from Solid Minerals Ministry
The Nigerian House of Representatives Committee on Solid Minerals has sent a clear message to the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development: transparency and accountability are non-negotiable. At a time when public confidence in governance is faltering, the Ministry’s submission of incomplete project details underscores the systemic inefficiencies plaguing public administration in Nigeria.
Budget Without Accountability
In defending the Ministry’s 2024 budget implementation, the Permanent Secretary, Mary Ogbe, presented a disjointed account of projects and expenditures. Her explanations fell short of the comprehensive details demanded by the committee, including project statuses, contractors, budget codes, and performance metrics. Such omissions, whether deliberate or unintentional, raise troubling questions about how public funds are being managed.
Jonathan Gaza, Chairman of the Committee, minced no words in expressing his dissatisfaction, demanding a revised and exhaustive submission by next Tuesday. His insistence on including every detail—from advertisements for projects to Federal Executive Council (FEC) approvals—reflects the urgency of holding public institutions accountable for taxpayer money.
The Numbers Tell a Story
The Permanent Secretary revealed that the Ministry was allocated N25.05 billion for the 2024 fiscal year, with N23.15 billion earmarked for capital expenditure and N894.4 million for overhead costs. However, as of October 31, only 11% of capital expenditure had been utilised—a glaring indictment of the Ministry’s inefficiency.
This dismal performance is attributed to ongoing procurement processes and delays in FEC approvals. While bureaucratic bottlenecks are a familiar refrain in Nigeria’s public sector, they should not become an excuse for poor planning and execution.
The Ministry’s claim of 100% utilisation of non-debt recurrent expenditure sounds impressive on paper but does little to mask the underperformance in capital projects. Infrastructure development, which capital expenditure typically funds, remains critical for economic growth. Failure to utilise these funds effectively is not just a missed opportunity; it’s a disservice to the Nigerian people.
Demand for Transparency
The committee’s insistence on granular details—down to project lot numbers—is a step in the right direction. In a country where opacity often shrouds public spending, this level of scrutiny is refreshing. However, it also underscores the need for systemic reforms in budgeting and project execution.
Why are Ministries still submitting incomplete or inaccurate reports to oversight bodies? Why does it take parliamentary pressure to extract basic accountability from government institutions? These questions point to a deeper rot in the system that must be addressed.
The Bigger Picture
The Solid Minerals sector holds immense potential for diversifying Nigeria’s economy away from oil dependency. But this potential will remain unrealised if the sector is marred by inefficiency and lack of accountability. The Ministry’s performance is a microcosm of a larger problem: the disconnect between budgetary allocations and tangible outcomes.
If the Ministry cannot provide a detailed account of its expenditures, how can Nigerians trust that public funds are being used judiciously? The committee’s call for transparency should extend beyond the Ministry of Solid Minerals to all government agencies and parastatals.
What Needs to Change
Institutional Accountability: Ministries must adopt stricter internal audit processes to ensure that budgetary allocations align with project execution.
Digitisation of Records: A centralised, publicly accessible database of government projects would enhance transparency and reduce the likelihood of discrepancies in reporting.
Legislative Oversight: Committees like the one chaired by Jonathan Gaza should have the power to sanction Ministries that fail to meet reporting standards.
Public Engagement: Nigerians must demand more from their leaders. Public funds belong to the people, and every citizen has a stake in how they are spent.
Conclusion
The House of Representatives Committee on Solid Minerals has set a laudable precedent in holding the Ministry accountable. However, the road to transparency and efficiency in governance is long and fraught with challenges. For Nigeria to truly progress, public institutions must prioritise accountability, and citizens must remain vigilant in demanding it.
The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development now has a critical opportunity to rebuild trust by submitting a comprehensive report that meets the committee’s demands. Anything less would be an affront to the Nigerian people and a betrayal of public trust.
Thedailycourierng news
Reference
Reps panel demands project details from solid minerals ministry