Udo Udoma: Budget minister

Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja

The Ministry of Budget and National Planning  has weighed in on the controversies over the 2016 budget on Tuesday affirming that the controversial Calabar- Lagos rail project was included in the amended budget submitted to the National Assembly.

Senator Udo Udoma, the Minister of National Planning however agree that the rail project was not included in the initial proposals which he acknowledged was full of errors.

James Akpandem, Media Adviser to the Minister who signed the statement on his behalf however said the presidency has not taken any decision on the budget.

“With reference to the specific issue of the Calabar – Lagos rail project, we will like to state that the two railway projects, Lagos – Kano and the Calabar – Lagos, are very important projects of the present administration; and it was always the intention of the Executive to have both projects reflected in the budget submitted to the National Assembly.

“These errors were all corrected by the Ministry of Budget and National Planning and the corrected versions were submitted to the relevant committees of the National Assembly. This included that of the Ministry of Transportation.
“The amended Ministry of Transportation budget was accepted by the relevant committees and that was the version defended by the Minister of Transportation and his team.

“It must be emphasized that the two rail projects are part of those for which the President is currently negotiating funding with the Chinese government.

“The N60b provided in the budget for the Lagos – Kano and Calabar – Lagos rail lines, respectively, is counterpart funding, to support the Chinese financing for the projects.

“These projects are part of the Strategic Implementation Plan of the government which was disclosed by the Minister of Budget and National Planning at the National Economic Council Retreat in March 2016, in the presence of state governors.

“They were also mentioned by the Vice President last week in Lagos at The Nation Newspaper’s First National Economic Forum. It is hoped that with this clarification,”  the Minister said on the raging controversy over the Calabar – Lagos rail project.

He added that the process of the review of the budget document submitted by the National Assembly to the President on 7 April is still on as the President who was desirous  of signing the document into law as soon as possible, directed that copies should be made available to Heads of the various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government.

“Ministers were asked to go through the details and give their reactions as it affects their respective Ministries so as to guide the President and enable him sign the Appropriation Bill into law.

“That process is still on-going and no statement has been issued by the Executive on the matter, apart from the one by the Honourable Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohamnmed, to confirm that details of the budget are being examined.

“No final decision has been taken by the President and no other statement whatsoever has been issued on the matter,” the Minister said.