Representatives to investigate the abuse of agricultural funds according to agencies outside the Ministry of Agriculture

The House of Representatives has announced plans to conduct public hearing to investigate the alleged misuse of government intervention and agricultural funding by the department, institutions and programs that operate outside the Federal Ministry of Agriculture.

This initiative followed the adoption of a motion entitled, “Alleged Abuse of Government Interventions and Agricultural Funding by Departments, Institutions, Schemes and Programs Outside the Federal Ministry of Agriculture,” which was debated on the Parliament floor and referred to the Committee of Food Committee and Food Security for further legislative actions.

In a joint statement released on Tuesday, the Chairperson of the DPR Committee on Nutrition and Food Safety, Chike John Okafor, and the DPR Spokesman, Akin Rotimi Jr., confirmed that the public hearing was scheduled on Tuesday at the Conference Hall 028 at the New Building Representative Council, the National Council Complex, Abuja.

The hearing aims to examine the spread and accountability of public funds allocated for agricultural development, in the midst of concerns that developed on the effectiveness of this intervention.

Also read: The US Cursing Nigeria’s Import Prohibition, Quoting “Lost Revenue” for the American Business

Okafor stressed the importance of exercise in ensuring transparency and restoring public confidence in disbursement and utilization of government funding in the agricultural sector. “Investigations are in line with the dedication of the 10th Assembly on good governance. We are determined to ensure that public funds allocated for agricultural development are used in the most efficient and transparent ways,” he said.

He further explained that the committee would carefully examine how these funds were distributed through institutions and schemes that were not directly under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture.

Stakeholders, including the Association of Farmers, Civil Society Organizations, Private Sector Actors, and Media Members, have been invited to participate in the session, which are expected to produce valuable insights and policy recommendations.

In a joint statement, Rotimi Jr., reiterated the home commitment of transparency and accountability. “This investigation is part of our wider mandate to ensure that each cobo that is adjusted by this house is taken into account, especially in the important sectors for our national development, such as agriculture,” he said.

The DPR urges the relevant Nigerians and institutions to work together fully with the committee to ensure successful results that will increase state food security and strengthen the integrity of government intervention.

“The 10th National Council consistently emphasizes its readiness to promote transparency, accountability, and good governance in all economic sectors, and this investigation is expected to establish new benchmarks in supervision of agricultural financing in Nigeria,” the statement said.

Join the conversation

Opinion

Supports Nigeria’s ripples, resistant Journalism Solutions

A balanced and fearful journalism that is driven by data comes with enormous financial costs.

As a media platform, we ask for leadership accountability and will not trade the right to suppress freedom and freedom of speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and ready to uphold journalism solutions, friendly Nigerian ripples cause.

Your support will help ensure that residents and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for community development.

Donation now