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Tag: Senate

  • After almost 3 decades, Ex-Senate President, Mark dumps PDP

    After almost 3 decades, Ex-Senate President, Mark dumps PDP

    Ex- President of the Senate, Sen. David Mark, has resigned his membership of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Mark, one of the prominent opposition figures in the country, was on Tuesday appointed as the interim National Chairman of African Democratic Congress (ADC), the platform adopted by the opposition coalition.

    Also, former Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun also emerged as the interim National Secretary of ADC, under the National Coalition of Political Opposition Movement in Nigeria.

    Mark’s resignation letter, entitled: “Notice of resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)”, dated July 27, was addressed to the chairman of Ward 1, Otukpo in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State.

    He attributed his decision to quit PDP to recent developments which, he said, had reduced the party to a shadow of its former self, thus subjecting it to public ridicule.

    “I bring warm greetings to you and members of the PDP, Otukpo Ward 1 and, by extension, to the entire Benue State and Nigeria. I write to formally inform you of my decision to resign my membership of the party with immediate effect.

    “You may recall that over the years, I have remained firm and deeply committed to the ideals of the PDP.

    “Even when nearly all stakeholders departed the party following our loss in the 2015 presidential election, I pledged to remain the last man standing.

    “I have worked steadfastly to rebuild, reconcile and reposition the party, efforts which, without sounding immodest, helped restore the PDP to national relevance and made it once again a party of choice for many Nigerians.

    “However, recent events marked by deepening divisions, persistent leadership crisis and irreconcilable differences have reduced the party to a shadow of its former self, subjecting it to public ridicule,” he said.

    The former senate president said that after wide consultations with his family, friends and political associates, he resolved to join the National Coalition of Political Opposition Movement in Nigeria.

    This, he said, was part of the collective efforts to rescue the country and preserve its hard-earned democracy.

  • Senate threatens arrest warrant against NNPC GCEO

    Senate threatens arrest warrant against NNPC GCEO

    The Senate Committee on Public Accounts has ordered the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Bayo Ojulari, to appear before it July 10.

    The committee said that it might be compelled to issue arrest warrant if Ojulari failed to appear before on the said date.

    The committee, chaired by Sen. Ahmed Wadada issued the directive during a brief session of the committee in Abuja after officials of the NNPCL failed to appear before it as expected.

    Their presence was required to respond to queries raised last week regarding a staggering N210 trillion allegedly unaccounted for by the company between 2017 and 2023, as detailed in an audit reports.

    Rather than appear, the NNPCL instead in a letter signed by Adedapo Segun on behalf of the GCEO and read by the committee clerk, Sani Abdullahi, requested an additional two months to prepare a detailed response.

    Wadada strongly rejected the request and condemned the absence of NNPCL officials, saying it demonstrated a disregard for the committee’s summons.

    “We expected representatives from the NNPCL to be before us today to answer questions thrown at them last week on issues or queries raised in the audit reports before us.

    “Their absence is unacceptable and as a result, this committee is giving the relevant officials from NNPCL ten working days from today, which ends on July 10.

    “This committee was not expecting any documents from NNPCL today but answers to the eleven questions thrown at its representatives last week.

    “Therefore, the GCEO of NNPCL must appear before us on July 10 for the expected answers.”

    He added that the failure to appear on the scheduled date would leave the committee with no choice but to invoke and assert all its constitutional powers to compel the GCEO’s appearance.

    Wadada also declared that the committee may adopt audit queries against other defaulting agencies.

    “These agencies are the FCT High Court and the Federal Ministries of Solid Minerals, Steel Development, and Finance if they fail to appear before the committee on Tuesday next week, they will hear from us,’’ he said.

    We’re under attack by saboteurs, NNPC Ltd management cries out

    The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) says it has uncovered an emerging coordinated sabotage campaign being waged by a syndicate of known and faceless actors, within and outside the organisation.

    A statement issued on Friday by the management of NNPC Ltd., said that the group was actively spreading lies and misinformation simply to discredit the company’s leadership.

    The company said the group was spreading such misinformation to derail the organisation’s ongoing transformation into a corruption-free, performance-driven energy company, in line with the mandate of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “Their tactics include planting scandalous and fabricated reports, curated to distract leadership, mislead the public, and undermine the commitment of our dedicated workforce and reform-minded Nigerians.

    “These are calculated efforts by those who feel threatened by reform, transparency, accountability, and change, a clear evidence of the lengths to which they will go to obstruct the transformation of Nigeria’s foremost energy institution.

    “We expect a surge of defamatory content in the days and weeks ahead but NNPC Ltd. remains undeterred. The transformation is underway, and no amount of sabotage will stop it,” it said.

    The company urged its dedicated staff, stakeholders, and all patriotic Nigerians to stay focused, ignore the noise and not be discouraged.

  • INSECURITY! Senate plans regional meetings with critical stakeholders across all regions to stem tide

    INSECURITY! Senate plans regional meetings with critical stakeholders across all regions to stem tide

    As insecurity continues unabated in the country, the Senate has revealed its plan to hold meetings with critical stakeholders in each geo-political zone in order to uncover the root causes of the menace and devise pragmatic measures to restore peace and stability in troubled areas.

    The Senate defended this initiative on the ground that no amount of money invested in infrastructure development would guarantee any tangible outcome if peace and stability are not established in the danger zones.

    Leader of the Senate and Chairman, Senate Ad-hoc Committee on National Security Summit, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele reeled out the plans at the inaugural meeting of the committee held at the Senate New Wing, National Assembly Complex, Abuja on Wednesday.

    Amid grave concerns for security of lives, private assets and public installations nationwide, the Senate had constituted a 20-man committee on the national security summit and equally appointed Bamidele to drive the process and proffer measures for enduring peace.

    Alongside Bamidele, the membership of the committee comprises Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Tahir Monguno; Minority of the Senate, Senator Abba Moro, Minority Whip of the Senate, Senator Osita Ngwu; Chairman, Senate Committee on the Interior, Senator Adams Oshiomhole; Chairman, Senate Committee on Police Affairs, Senator Ahmad Malam-Madori; Chairman, Senate Committee on Navy, Senator Gbenga Daniel Chairman, Senate Committee on Defence, Senator Ahmed Lawan and Chairman, Senate Committee on Army, Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua, among others.

    But at the inaugural meeting on Wednesday, the chairman of the ad-hoc committee canvassed the need to address the country’s security concerns regionally, saying the national summit on security was designed “to ensure that every Nigerian lives and works in peace irrespective of their location and status in life.”

    Bamidele, further, said no amount of money invested in infrastructure development “will translate to any meaningful outcome without peace and security. For this reason, transforming pervasive insecurity to enduring peace is at the heart of the national security summit.

    “To achieve this objective, the committee will first hold meetings with critical stakeholders in each geo-political zone with a view to unravelling the root causes of security challenges, identifying key actors behind it and devising measures for their effective management.

    “The committee shall also engage victims of armed violence in different parts of the federation for the purpose of seeking diverse perspectives to these challenges. We will interact with our people on ground; listen to their fear and apprehension and garner their suggestions on how to transform insecurity to effective order,” he assured Nigerians.

    Bamidele further explained that Nigeria “can only be on the path of development and prosperity when peace and unity are guaranteed. Therefore, the committee will work round the clock to come up with far-reaching measures that will bring about peace and stability

    “The summit will involve every segment of Nigerian society; traditional institutions, government agencies, military and intelligence/security agencies, and local government, the media and other public spirited individuals and groups with good ideas to share towards attaining the desired outcome of the summit.”

    Providing insight into the country’s security dynamics, the senate leader noted the ugly trends of banditry and kidnapping in the North-west; terrorism and extremist violence in the North-east; farmers-herders crisis in the North-central; separatism and gang violence in the South-east; environmental conflict and oil theft in the South-south as well as abduction and ritual killing in the South-west.

    The chairman noted that the activities of insurgents and bandits “were restricted to the North-east and North-west in the past with a few states attacked in the North-central. Today, however, Kwara is negatively affected. The story of Benue is getting worse by the day.

    “In the South-east, the separatist and farmers-herdsmen conflicts are becoming almost a daily occurrence. This is compounded by the menace of kidnap for ransom. The South-west is not left out of this plague, especially with the increasing cases of ritual killing.

    “The South-south, too, is plagued with the incessant vandalisation of national oil assets, kidnapping, oil theft, piracy and sea armed robbery. All these issues constitute economic sabotage to our fatherland,” Bamidele said with assurance to nip the challenges in the bud.

  • Senate confirms Tinubu’s nominees into boards of 4 Rivers agencies

    Senate confirms Tinubu’s nominees into boards of 4 Rivers agencies

    The Senate has confirmed the appointments of chairmen and board members of four agencies of Rivers presented for confirmation by President Bola Tinubu.

    The confirmation followed the presentation of the report on screening by the Committee on Emergency Rule in Rivers at plenary in Abuja.

    The chairman of the committee, Sen. Opeyemi Bamidele (APC-Ekiti) presented the report on their screening and asked that they be confirmed.

    Those confirmed for Rivers Civil Service Commission were: Dr Barikor Livinus Baribuma, Chairman, while Amb. Lot Peter Egopija, Ms Maeve Ere-Bestman, Mrs Joy Obiaju, Mrs Charity Lloyd Harry were members.

    Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Dr Michael Ekpai Odey was confirmed as chairman, while Mr Lezaasi Lenee Torbira, Prof. Arthur Nwafor, Prof. Godfrey Woke Mbudiogha, Prof. Joyce Akaniwor, Dr Olive A. Bruce, Prof. Chidi Halliday were confirmed as members.

    Also confirmed for Rivers Local Government Service Commission as chairman was Mr Israel Amadi, with Mr Linus Nwandem, Christabel George-Didia, Dr Tonye D. Willie Pepple , Mr Richard U. Ewoh, Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ofik (Rtd),Mr Sammy Apiafi were confirmed as members.

    For the Rivers Primary Health Care Management Board, Dr Dawari George, chairman, while Dr Chituru Adiele was confirmed as Executive Director, with Prof.Kaladada Korubp, Dr Benjamin Osarolaka Osaro, Mrs Anne Obomanu, Prof. Grace Robinson Bassey, Dr Mike Alagala and Mr Sunday Asetubobe confirmed as members.

    Senate also confirmed the nomination of Mr Dagogo Alabo to represent the Ministry of Health and Ms Carmelita Ekenyi Agborubere, for the Ministry of Women Affairs.

    Others equally confirmed were; Mr James Ngochindo Epobari, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance Mr Clifford Paul, representative ALGON in Rivers, Mr Luke Usang, representative of Local Government Civil Service Commission and Mr Romeo Osima Isokariari for Ministry of Justice.

    Earlier, while presenting the report of committee’s screening on the nominees, Bamidele said that the nominees answered questions relevant to the areas of their appointments to the satisfaction of the committee.

    He said that one nominee for the appointment as a member of the Rivers Primary Health Care Board, Victoria Poma Samuel, representing Ministry of Local Government Affairs as ex-official was stood down because she was not present for the screening.

    Bamidele said all the nominees screened satisfied the requirements for appointment to occupy the offices of the chairmen and members of the boards and agencies in Rivers.

    He said there was no petition against the nomination of any of the nominees, saying that security checks on the nominees did not reveal any negative traits against them.

    He urged the Senate to approve their appointments.

    However, Senators Abdul Ningi (PDP-Bauchi), Ali Ndume(APC-Borno) and Abba Moro(PDP-Benue), raised concerns over the nomination for chairman of RSIEC, who is an indigene of Cross River, same state with the Rivers Sole Administrator.

    Ningi said there were many competent Rivers indigenes that could be nominated for that position.
    Ndume on his part said that the senate should not be quick to approve anything, saying that the senate should sometimes be guided by the dictates of the constitution.

    The Chief Whip of Senate, Mohammed Monguno (APC-Borno), said that the constitution remained the ground norm of the land, nothing that the nominee for the RSIEC chairman was not against provision of the law.

    Explaining further justification for the nomination and screening of the nominee, Bamidele advised that the matter should not be politicised.

    “I’m saying there is no room for grandstanding, however, rather than grandstand, if we as a parliament disagree with the court on this, what is expected of us is to bring the bill and legislate it into action.”

  • Why I dumped Labour Party for APC – Edo South Senator, Imasuen

    Why I dumped Labour Party for APC – Edo South Senator, Imasuen

    The Senator representing Edo South Senatorial District, Neda Imasuen, has defected from the Labour Party (LP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, made the announcement while reading Imasuen’s letter during plenary in Abuja. The letter was titled, “Notice of defection from the LP to the APC.”

    It letter partly read: I write to respectfully notify the distinguished senate through the office of the senate president of my resignation from the LP and my decision to officially join the APC.

    “This decision followed extensive consultations with my constituents, my political stakeholders and my supporters across Edo South District.

    “They had expressed their desire to have me enter a party that will give our people national prominence and political relevance.

    “I want to align my senatorial district with the development and the renewed hope agenda of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration,’’ he said.

    According to Imasuen, his defection was necessitated by irreconcilable internal crises and leadership challenges within the LP.

    He added that this had hampered his capacity to effectively represent and deliver on the true mandate of governance to the good people of his constituents.

    In his remarks, Akpabio said, “This is very important for the benefits of this country and the peace of this nation.

    “This has accounted for the many complaints and tears that the senator had been heaping up,” he said.

    Imasuen chairs the Senate Committee on Ethics Code of Conduct and Public Petitions.

  • Senate passes Rivers 2025 Appropriation Bill of N1.48trn

    Senate passes Rivers 2025 Appropriation Bill of N1.48trn

    The Senate, on Wednesday, passed the Rivers 2025 Appropriation Bill of N1.48 trillion. This followed the presentation and consideration of the report of the Senate Ad hoc Committee on Oversight of Emergency Rule in Rivers.

    Making the presentation, Chairman of the Committee and Senate Leader, Sen. Opeyemi Bamidele said that for the record, emergency rule is not a substitute for democratic governance in any political climate.

    “Rather, it is an extraordinary constitutional measure intended to restore order in times of disorder, promote peace in periods of conflict and ensure stability where there is instability”

    He said that the invocation of emergency rule in Rivers was not an arbitrary action, as some had alleged, but one rooted firmly in the provision of section 305 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “As you are all aware, these provisions legitimately empower both the President and the National Assembly to act in the interest of national stability and constitutional governance.

    “Neither the President nor the National Assembly has violated any constitutional provision in the maintenance of national security.

    “With respect to the former or specifically in the exercise of our oversight powers guided by the 1999 Constitution to prevent executive absolutism.

    “It is upon this premise that the Senate, under the leadership of Sen. Godswill Akpabio deemed it necessary to constitute this ad hoc committee. To oversight the implementation of the State of emergency rule in Rivers.

    “In line with Section 11(4) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), the National Assembly is constitutionally empowered to make laws necessary for the peace order and good governance of any state.

    “This is where the House of Assembly is unable to perform its legislative functions due to prevailing circumstances. This provision directly applies to Rivers”, he said.

    Bamidele further said that the committee observed that the 2025 Rivers Appropriation Bill is consistent with the objectives of the emergency rule.

    He added that this as it sought to stabilise governance and ensure the continuity of essential public service in the state.

    The senate leader said that 72 per cent of the budget was allocated to capital projects which is aimed at driving economic recovery and enhancing public sector efficiency.

    He said: “The committed that N50 billion provision has been made in the current budget proposal to address the backlog of pensions gratuity which is estimated at N147 billion”.

    Contributing, Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau commended the chairman of the committee and the members on a good job

    “There is proof that he is actually the leader of the Senate because of the quality of the report. There is nothing one can hide here. It is well structured, properly put together and produced in the best manner possible”.

    Similarly, Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriations, Sen. Solomon Adeola said, “I looked at the recommendation of the committee and I could see that from the observation, the budget is well structured with 72 per cent of this budget due to capital expenditure.

    “It is highly commendable. That shows that the interim government in Rivers is committed to delivering dividends of democracy to the community”.

    In his remarks, President of the Senate , Akpabio said “let me thank the leader of the senate and all the members of the committee that worked on this.

    “For especially, expeditiously doing this for the good people of Rivers and by extension, Nigeria. I pray that when these projects are executed, they will bring more dividends of democracy to the good people of Rivers and lead to peace, development and prosperity”.

  • Senate passes amendment to Nigeria Police Trust Fund Act

    Senate passes amendment to Nigeria Police Trust Fund Act

    The Senate has approved an amendment to the Nigeria Police Trust Fund Act to increase the duration of the Fund and for continued training and provision of equipment.

    This followed the expeditious passage of the Bill for an Act to amend the Nigeria Police Trust Fund Act during plenary on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele led the debate on the general principles of the bill before its passage.

    Bamidele said that the bill sought to amend the Nigeria Police trust fund act, to increase the duration of the Trust Fund.

    “To among other things, provide for continued training, provision of equipment and related facilities as well as enhance the skills of personnel of the Nigeria Police.

    “The overriding objective of the bill, basically, is to amend section 2(2) of the extant act to increase the duration of the Trust Fund, as established by the Act.

    “With the benefit of hindsight, Mr President, my dear colleagues, the Act was enacted in 2019.

    “However, the act became operational in 2022. The provision of section 2 (2) of the principal act, which established the trust fund, provides its operational scope for a duration of six years, which will expire at the end of this month”.

    Bamidele said that as such, there was the urgent need to expedite action on the passage of the bill in accordance with the aforesaid provision.

    He said that the act provides that upon expiration, the Fund would cease to exist, unless it is extended by an Act of the National Assembly.

    “It is imperative to state that over the last few years, after the fund was established, a lot has been achieved.

    “Noteably in the following areas; equipment and logistics, training and capacity development; infrastructure (rehabilitation and expansion), health and welfare initiatives.

    “Therefore, it is imperative that the duration of the Trust Fund is further extended, in view of its laudable achievements.

    “To ensure that the Nigeria police is well equipped to face emerging security challenges, bedeviling the country”.

    Deputy Minority Leader, Sen. Lere Oyewumi seconded Bamidele, noting that the amendment was necessary to ensure continuation of the fund.

    The Deputy Senate President, Sen.Barau Jibrin who presided over the plenary passed the bill.

  • Why 2024 budget was extended to December – Senate

    Why 2024 budget was extended to December – Senate

    The Senate has approved a fresh extension of the implementation of the capital component of the 2024 national budget from June 30 to Dec. 31.

    The decision was reached during plenary on Tuesday, following the presentation and expeditious passage of an amendment bill to the Appropriation Act.

    The legislation, read and passed through first, second and third readings in a single sitting, received overwhelming support from lawmakers.

    Deputy Senate President, Sen. Jibrin Barau, announced the resolution, following the adoption of the report by the Senate Committee on Supply.

    The debate was led by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation, Sen. Solomon Adeola.

    Leading the debate, Adeola recalled that the 2024 Appropriation Act was extended on Dec. 18, 2024 to June 30, 2025, which would expires next week.

    “Therefore, the need for this new extension is to allow full implementation of the budget to allow ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) utilise effectively large proportion of funds released to them.

    “There is need for further extension for the funds to be fully and judiciously expended,” he said.

    Adeola said that given the critical importance of some key projects nearing completion, the extension of the expiration clause had become expedient to avoid compounding the problem of abandoned projects.

    “This bill, therefore, provides for the extension of the capital components of 2024 Appropriation Act from June 30, 2025 to Dec. 31, 2025,” he said.

    Contributing, Sen. Yahaya Abdullahi (APC-Kebbi) said that people had committed their resources and conducted government work but that up till now, they had not been paid.

    “So I think we need to know what is really happening. So people are saying that there is cash flow problem or whatever.

    “Mr President, I think the leadership of the National Assembly should take it upon itself to meet the president and express our own concern about what is happening regarding implementation of the budget,” he said.

    Also, Sen. Abdul Ningi (PDP-Bauchi) said: “What you ought to hear from the Committee Chairman on Appropriation is whether or not we are experiencing a shortage of revenues; whether or not there is no money in this country to pay off these implemented projects,” he said.

    On his part, Sen. Seriake Dickson (PDP-Bayelsa) said no one was opposed to the extension it had become necessary.

    “This is so that the machinery of the government continues to run and does not grind to a halt.

    “But clearly, nobody is satisfied about the situation that we have found ourselves in,” Dickson said.

    In his remarks, the Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, who presided over plenary said that the senate had ‘absolute confidence’ in the committee, expressing the belief that it would do the needful.

    “Mr President (Tinubu) is somebody who listens, somebody who has the passion to see that we develop our country.

    “He’s a very wonderful man. Whatever you take to him, and it’s about his nation, he will go the extra mile to get it done,” Barau said.

  • BREAKING: Senate further extends 2024 budget deadline to December 2025

    BREAKING: Senate further extends 2024 budget deadline to December 2025

    A bill for an Act to amend the 2024 Appropriation Act to further extend deadline for the capital component of the Act and for other related matters 2025 was passed into law by the Nigerian Senate on Tuesday.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the bill was passed into law by the Senate after it passed third reading, following a motion moved by Senate Majority Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, that was seconded by Minority Leader, Abba Moro.

    The Nigerian Senate, during a plenary session presided over by Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, amended the 2024 budget and further extended the deadline set for implementation of the capital component from 30 June 2025 to 31 December 2025.

    “A bill for an act to amend the 2024 Appropriation Act to further extend the capital component of the Act from 30th June 2025 to 31st December 2025 and for other related matters 2025; third reading taken and passed,” the Deputy Senate President declared.

    Details shortly…

  • Customs under Senate’s heavy scrutiny over set target

    Customs under Senate’s heavy scrutiny over set target

    Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) came under heavy scrutiny on Monday as it presented its ₦6.584 trillion revenue target and ₦1.132 trillion expenditure plan for 2025 before the Senate Committee on Customs and Excise.

    While the Service was commended for surpassing its 2024 revenue target, senators raised serious concerns over what they described as unjustifiable spending spikes and a lack of ambition in projected revenue growth.

    According to the proposal, the NCS is targeting a total revenue of ₦6.584 trillion, comprising ₦3.835 trillion from the Federation Account, ₦1.081 trillion from the Non-Federation Account, and ₦1.650 trillion from Import VAT.Expenditure is projected at ₦1.132 trillion, to be sourced from 4% Free On Board (FOB), 2% Nigeria Trade Summary (NTS) share, and allocations for ongoing capital projects.

    The breakdown indicated that Personnel Costs stood at ₦247.16 billion, while Overhead is to gulp ₦239.97 billion and Capital Projects: ₦645.42 billion.

    A deeper dive reveals significant allocations for salaries, pensions, NHIS, and an eyebrow-raising ₦169 billion in “miscellaneous” overhead, prompting senators to question the justification for such a large, undefined expense.

    Responding to lawmakers’ queries, Deputy Comptroller General Jibo Bello clarified that the Customs Service does not set its revenue targets.

    “Targets are determined by the Medium-Term Revenue Framework (MTRF) and assigned by a federal committee based on past performance,” he explained.

    “The 2024 target increased by 21.2 per cent, not two per cent as earlier suggested.”Bello also defended the 2025 expenditure hike, noting that Customs received only ₦290 billion of the ₦706 billion approved for 2024 due to the suspension of the four per cent FOB funding mechanism included in the newly signed Customs Act.“The 2025 budget is based not on projected revenue, but on expected FOB funding already appropriated by Parliament,” he said.

    “Personnel costs also increased due to salary adjustments and associated percentage-based contributions to pension, NHIS, NSITF, and ITF.

    ”While acknowledging the Service’s performance in 2024, senators were critical of the modest 7% growth projection for 2025 and the steep 60% jump in expenditure.“You collected ₦6 trillion in 2024, yet you project only a slight increase for 2025. That’s not acceptable,” one lawmaker noted.

    “Meanwhile, your expenditure is leaping from ₦706
    billion to ₦1.1 trillion. How do you justify that?

    ”The personnel budget also drew fire for jumping from ₦94 billion to ₦247 billion, despite only 3,927 recruits being added to a workforce of 16,245.Another senator questioned the rationale behind the ₦239 billion overhead, including routine expenses such as computers, vehicles, fuel, and travel.“What is the lifespan of your computers? Every year you procure new ones, pushing your overhead through the roof,” a visibly frustrated senator asked.Beyond figures, lawmakers also called on the NCS to advocate for reforms. One senator referenced declining imports through Lagos ports due to surcharges on used vehicle imports.“Importers are diverting to the Benin Republic to avoid excessive charges,” the senator said.

    “If Customs wants to grow revenue, it must engage the legislature to review these fees.”A controversial line item listed ₦169 billion for “financial miscellaneous services”, which lawmakers insisted was too vague and should be better defined.The committee also criticised the current revenue model that sets hard collection targets for Customs.“When you cap their targets, they hit the mark and stop. But if they’re allowed to collect freely and retain their seven per cent cost of collection, they’ll be motivated to do more,” one senator argued.

    The committee is expected to continue its scrutiny in the coming days, focusing on cost-efficiency, internal reforms, and revenue projections.As one lawmaker put it, “Customs has the potential to do more — but this budget must reflect that ambition.