A little drama broke out in the Upper Chamber on Tuesday when the Senate attacked Doris Nkiruka-Anite, the Minister of Trade, Industry, and Investment, for suggesting that the ministry’s budget for the following year include N1 billion for a trip to Geneva in 2024.
This came to light when the minister defended the budget before the combined Senate and House of Representatives Committee on Trade, Industry, and Investment, which is chaired by Senator Sadiq Umar (APC, Kwara North).
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Plans to spend N1 billion on visits to simply Geneva the next year were included in the budget paper that was presented to the committee. Committee members expressed disapproval of the amount, calling it “very outrageous.”
The Minister’s request to address the committee and provide an update on the 2023 budget’s performance prior to requesting additional funding sparked the controversy.
Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North), the former governor of Edo State, quickly took the Minister up on her offer to travel to Geneva with N1 billion following her speech.
Oshiomhole stated, “I see that you intend to travel to Geneva next year and you have budgeted over N1 billion for that.” He advised the minister to engage professionals in her office to produce outcomes rather than go on a trip that would swallow up such a large amount of money. We cannot continue sending too many blotted teams on international travel. To cut costs, make use of the professionals we have in your offices in those nations.
