The senate committee on trade and investment has rejected
the ministry’s 2019 budget of N15.63 billion.
The committee, on Monday, said it would not consider the
budget till the minister could explain a company listed for appropriation.
Sabo Mohammed, chairman of the committee, said the Special
Economic Zone Company which was included in the budget was not part of the 17
agencies under the ministry.
During the budget defense session, the committee referred
Okechukwu Enelamah, minister of trade and investment, to item two on page seven
of the budget booklet presented by the ministry.
According to Mohammed, a document obtained from the
Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) containing information on how the company
was registered, showed that it is a private company.
“Liability of the members are limited by share, which gives
federal government 25 per cent and 75 per cent to private individuals,” he
said.
He directed the minister to forward detailed written
explanation on how the company got into the appropriation list, its management
staff list and its staff strength as well as statement of account before
consideration of 2019 budget proposal.
In response, Enelamah said the company was established
through a presidential initiative and its approval was given at a cabinet
meeting held in May 2018 .
“One of the areas that this government has focused on is
infrastructure. The second area is industrialisation and the two have something
in common,” he explained.
“If the government tries to do it alone, it would be extremely
tasking.
“So the president directed that we should bring other
partners that can combine with whatever monies we have to build world class
infrastructure which led to the establishment of the company in partnership
with other investors.”
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