2022 budget: Anger as Science and Tech Minister, Abdullahi got confused, failed to explain expenditure

The Senate Committee on Science and Technology on Monday rejected the 2022 budget document presented by the Ministry of Science and Technology over alleged irregularities.

Consequently, the Chairman of the Committee, Uche Ekwunife directed the Minister and his entourage to go and tidy up the document for proper presentation.

According to Ekwunife, the budget presentation was not synchronised, saying “you gave us document to confuse us”.

Continuing: “What kind of submission is this? Permanent Secretary who prepared this submission? Ekwunife asked.

“Even you, you are confused, go to 2022 budget defence, we are going to invite you for 2021 expenditure”, she said.

The lawmaker also demanded for details of amount on methanol as presented by the Minister.

Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Science and Technology, Mohammed Hassan Abdullahi in a response urged the committee to allow the aministry to go an reconcile grey areas for fresh presentation.

“Allow us to go back and do a fresh presentation”, Abdullahi said.

The Minister was asked to rework the budget for resubmission on Friday.