The House Committee on environment has called for increased allocation in 2025 for the ministry of environment
The House of Representatives committee on environment has expressed dissatisfaction over what it described as the “abysmally low” release of funds to the ministry of environment.
The committee warned that the inadequate funding has resulted in missed opportunities to tackle pressing environmental challenges such as deforestation, pollution, erosion, and the escalating impacts of climate change across Nigeria.
Chairman of the committee, Rep. Julius Pondi (PDP Delta), made these observations during the ministry’s 2025 budget defence session at the National Assembly on Thursday. He emphasized the urgent need for increased the ministry’s financial support.
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During his presentation, the minister of environment, Abbas Balarabe Lawal, informed the committee that N19.06bn and N20bn were allocated to the ministry for the main capital and presidential initiative respectively, totaling N39.06bn as the capital component of the 2024 budget. However, only N1.69bn was released for project execution.
The amount, he stated, represented a mere eight percent of the total capital appropriation. “Of this amount, we spent N1.46bn while the sum of N230.85m is unspent,” the minister said.
He further explained that the personnel component of the 2024 budget achieved 100 percent performance, with the N3.09bn appropriated for personnel fully released and utilized.
Lawal also disclosed that the ministry had N41.72m in unspent revenue from its 2024 overhead due to the late release of funds. Of the N723.96m appropriated and released as overhead for 2024, the ministry spent N682.24m, leaving a balance of N41.72m unspent.
“The sum of N41.72m being unspent as of December 31, 2024, was due to the late release of the overhead cost,” the minister added.
Mr. Lawal, appealed for increased funding to enable the ministry to fulfill its mandate. He outlined the ministry’s achievements in 2024, which include the installation of 2,200 solar street lights in rural communities, 45 solar-powered boreholes to provide clean water, and 5kV solar power systems in five educational institutions across the country, including institutions in Ekpoma, Nsukka, Zaria, and Abuja.
The Committee chairman said the current budget review is pivotal to shaping resource allocation and planning for the 2025 fiscal year.
He voiced concern over the exclusion of the Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON) from the federal budget, despite the reinstatement of thirteen other professional bodies previously removed. He called on the minister to work with the committee to ensure EHCON is reinstated.
“As a committee, we are disposed to increasing budgetary allocations for this critical sector, provided we see key projects that enhance climate resilience, combat pollution, and ensure accountability,” Pondi stated.
“Without prejudice, please be reminded that Section 80(4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as Amended) provides that “no moneys shall be withdrawn from the Consolidated Revenue Fund or any other public fund of the Federation, except in a manner prescribed by the National Assembly.”
Pondi said budget defence session serves as a cornerstone in the collective efforts to ensure transparency, and effective implementation of accountability, environmental programs, vital to our nation’s health, well-being, and sustainability.
“you may recall that the House of Representatives, on various occasions at plenary, deliberated motions ranging from erosion, desertification, and flood disasters in many parts of the country, necessitating government intervention through the ministry of environment and other agencies.
“These unfortunate occurrences have deprived thousands, especially in the country’s agrarian region, of their livelihood and ability to contribute their quota to National development.
“As the people’s parliamentary, we have not rested on our oars, neither should any of you. Our primary focus is to evaluate how the financial resources allocated have been utilized to achieve set objectives.
“This session will enable us identify progress made in implementing projects and programs across key environmental sectors, address challenges that may have hindered the achievement of goals and provide actionable input in the year 2025 Budget.” Pondi remarked.
STAR Check: Nigerians, particularly, constituents of Burutu federal constituency of Delta State, can keep tabs on the legislative performance of Rep. Pondi throughout the 10th House here
