Reps give Nigerian embassies, high commissions power to implement 2022 budget

The House of Representatives, on Thursday, directed all the Nigerian Embassies and High Commissions to commence the implementation of the 2022 Appropriation Act with immediate effect.

The resolution was passed sequel to the adoption of a motion sponsored by Hon Ahmed Maigari who expressed concern over the high-handedness of the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the implementation of the 2022 Appropriation Act assented to by President Muhammadu Buhari.

In his lead debate, Hon Maigari observed that Nigerian Embassies and High Commissions abroad require no permission from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to spend a required portion of their funds for adequate service delivery and dues for facilities maintenance without seeking further permission from the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

He lamented that the bureaucratic bottlenecks faced by the Embassies and High Commissions in getting permission from the supervising ministry was responsible for the challenges faced by Nigerians in Diaspora as well as the deplorable state of the structures and facilities in Nigerian embassies and High Commissions worldwide.

He maintained that the provisions in the 2022 Appropriation Act assented to by the President carefully took care of various challenges hence the ministry should ensure full compliance.

However, in his intervention, the Minority Leader, Hon Ndudi Elumelu, expressed concern on whether the singular permission to different Embassies would not be abused by officials of various embassies.

In his presentation, Chairman, House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Hon Yusuf Buba Yakub, affirmed that the provision is now a law and commended the leadership of the House for including the clause as Nigerian Embassies and High Commissions worldwide are a laughing-stock due to their visible deplorable state of disrepair.

He lamented the bottleneck in getting repairs carried out abroad when the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs had to give such approval.

Hon. Yakub who underscored the need for the House intervention expressed optimism that this will change for the better, especially now that it has become law while urging the House to ensure compliance with the provisions clean up the mess in the Foreign Affairs Ministry as they continue to hide under the provisions of the Public Procurement Act to starve the embassies and High Commissions of much-needed funds for upkeep and service delivery.

On his part, Hon Herman Hembe called for the enforcement of the constitutional provisions of the 2022 Appropriation Act to bring the erring officials to book.

While speaking, the Speaker, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila disclosed that the monies have been appropriated and it is their right to utilise it for the uplifting of the Nigerian image abroad.

Hon. Gbajabiamila who observed that the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs seems to be trying to truncate it, however, expressed his reservation over the issue and harped on the need to enforce the implementation of the 2022 Appropriation Act without any interference.

(Nigerian Tribune)