News

NASS Solicits Increased Budgetary Allocation For Agriculture Sector

Published

2 hours ago

January 16, 2025

By Gloria Ikibah

The National Assembly Joint Committee on Agricultural Production and Services has said there is the need for a gradual increase in budgetary allocation to the agriculture sector to ensure food security in the country.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Agriculture Production Services and Rural Development, Senator Saliu Mustapha made the call during the 2025 budget defense by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari on Wednesday in Abuja.

According to him, Nigeria must fund the agricultural sector by allocating more resources to address food insecurity.

However he stated that the 2025 allocation to the sector was appreciable and a sign that things will get better in no distant future.

He said, “The allocation of about 4.2% of the total budget to the agricultural sector in 2024 was a positive development, at keeping with the commitment Nigeria made in the Maputo Declaration to commit at least 10%.

“This is a significant improvement for Nigeria’s economy and the future of its agricultural sector.The effort is commendable and the President is called upon to do more.

“In the year 2024, the sector, despite the climate change and insecurity in the nation, contributed significantly to the Nigerian’s economy.This is emphasized from the report by the National Bureau of Statistics, which reported an initial growth of 0.18% in the year 2024.

“I assure you of our readiness and commitment to work assiduously and pass the 2025 budget that will reposition the agricultural sector in line with the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“I must commend the effort of Mr. President, President Bola Ametinu, and the executive on the attempt of repositioning the agricultural sector, and the concerted effort to return it as the mainstay of the Nigeria’s economy”.

In a brief remark, the Chairman, House Committee on Agricultural Production and Services, Rep. Bello Kaoje who agreed with his Senate counterpart said the Agricultural sector is key to all sectors of the economy hence it cannot be ignored.

Kaoje stated that the sector needs all the attention it deserves to help the country address it’s food security challenges which he said will spur development.

On the other hand, a member of the Committee, Senator Adamu Aleiro bemoan that, Nigeria was yet to meet the allocation of 10 percent of the National Budget to agriculture in order to meet the threshold of the Malabo declaration.

He stated that, after listening to the Minister’s presentation, he was surprised there’s is a huge reduction in the allocation to the agriculture ministry which he said holds the key for food security in this country.

He said, “Your co-mandate is to ensure massive production of food for the country. And you know very well that in the next eight to ten years, Nigeria is going to be the third largest country in the world in terms of population. Only after China, India, the next country will be Nigeria.

“With this allocation coming to the agricultural sector, how do we cater for the huge population that is going to come up with this kind of allocation coming to the agricultural sector?

“Mr. Chairman, distinguished colleagues, I think there is need for both the House of Representatives and the Senate to make a very strong recommendation.

“The House of Representatives has made a very strong recommendation to the Appropriations Committee for an upward review of this allocation. The reduction of 2 percent, honestly, is alarming. I would expect an increase from 4 percent to 6 or 8 percent in line with the declaration we made at Maputo or Malabo or wherever.

“Mr. Chairman, I think we are making a great recommendation. if we are to cater for the coming population we really have to do a lot and this is rather compounded by the fact that this year we have terrible flood that affected production of food particularly farmers that are engaged in agricultural activities within the river plains whether it’s river niger river anywhere or whatever.

“This has affected food production in this country and i’m one of those who don’t believe in importation of food even though some have recommended to the federal government that we should import food no instead we should engage our farmers in massive production of food both in the dry season and the rainy season.

“We are lucky we have underground water and that’s why i cannot understand reduction in this allocation to agricultural sector. Mr chairman distinguished colleagues agriculture in nigeria is still at subsistence level mechanization is required need to improve yield by hectare. Presently the yield by hectare is between two to four percent.

“We need to increase it to about six to eight percent it’s obtained in other climate like india china Indonesia and what have you. Even in Pakistan. So there is need for us to concentrate heavily on providing irrigation facilities to our farmers and this can only happen if there is increased allocation to the agriculture sector.

“I will be the task for both the executive and also the legislative arm of government. We on our part are ready to team up with the ministry to ensure that food is made available to every Nigerian”.

Earlier, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari while presenting the proposed 2025 budget estimates said the sector needs urgent intervention to contribute its quota to the development of the nation.

He said, “I would like to spell out that the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security is mandated to ensure food security, employment generation and wealth creation through commodity value chain, agribusiness and rural development activities in the country.

“The 2022 to 2027 National Agriculture Technology and Innovation Policy, NATI, is the guiding tool to drive the process of innovative research system, holistic mechanization drive, rural infrastructure provision and commodity value chain development for economic diversification, livelihood opportunities and income earnings in the country.

“In line with the presidential priority, the Ministry is acting along the 24 outlined deliverables for youth and women empowerment, food security, economic growth, job creation and poverty eradication.

“The policy direction is to provide enabling environment for public-private partnership for agribusiness undertakings in the country. It is also classified as immediate, short, medium and long terms.The details of these plans are highlighted in the Ministry’s submission before the Committee”.

Giving a highlight of the Ministry’s 2024 budget performance and the 2025 proposed Budget, he said, “The Main Ministry had a total appropriation of 250,396,8721.9.The focus of the amount was a total appropriation of 250,396,821.9.Naira.

“This comprises of 10,626,015,992 Naira for personnel cost, representing 4.2% of the budget. 1,034,642,376 Naira for overhead cost, representing 0.41% of the budget. And 238,485,350,353 Naira for capital projects and programs, representing 95.24% of the ministry’s budget.

“The analysis of the 2024 capital budget appropriation for the main ministry is as follows.The main ministry’s 2024 budget performance is as follows. The 10,626,015,992,000 Naira appropriated for personal cost. Also, the sum of 1,034,642,376 Naira appropriated for over-cost.

“Also, the total sum was released and utilized. In the capital cost appropriation of 238,485,350,353 Naira, the sum of 32,952,649,987 Naira has been released to the Ministry, and this amount represents 13.82% of the capital appropriation for the main Ministry.

“The released capital fund has been fully committed on various projects and programs of the Ministry, in line with the 2024 appropriations.The multilateral loans consist of six number projects, amounting to the sum of 29,504,742,593 Naira. Usually, the total amount will be deducted at source for the purpose for which it was Internally generated revenue.

“The Ministry projected in 2024 achieved by the Ministry. The tax reform, through the Ministry, steamrolled the investment and acquired new, different programs. An overall representing 111.8% of the amount of the amount of the investment that was made in the last years”.

Related Topics:chairman Naira Nigeria Nigerian Senate

Up Next

Truck crashes into building, kills family of nine in Benue

Don't Miss

China Considers Selling TikTok U.S. Operations to Musk

Click to comment

News

Deputy Speaker Mourns Demise of Deputy Chief Whip, Hon Onanuga

Published

4 minutes ago

January 16, 2025

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Benjamin Kalu has expressed sadness over the death of the Deputy Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Adewunmi Oriyomi Onanuga.

Naijablitznews.com reports that before her demise, Hon. Onanuga represented Ikenne/Sagamu/Remo North Federal Constituency of Ogun State in the National Assembly.

In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu, Kalu described late Onanuga as a shining example of dedication, compassion, and selfless lawmaker whose service to her constituents and the nation was outstanding.

The Deputy Speaker noted Onanuga’s significant contributions to the peace project in the South East and Nigeria as a whole.

He acknowledged her support for the Peace In South East Project (PISE-P), which demonstrated her passion for defeating insecurity in Nigeria.

He said: “Onanuga was a dedicated and committed lawmaker, renowned for her unwavering commitment to peace. Her passion for promoting harmony and understanding was truly commendable. But beyond her legislative accomplishments, Onanuga’s compassion, humility, and simplicity inspired countless individuals. Her warm and infectious smile, coupled with her empathetic nature, endeared her to everyone she met, making her a beloved figure in the lives of many.”

Kalu also noted Onanuga’s commitment to the cause of women’s empowerment and political inclusion, recalling her relentless efforts towards ensuring that the gender bills are passed.

Extending his heartfelt condolences to Onanuga’s family, colleagues, and constituents, Kalu who said that she will be greatly missed also prayed for the repose of her soul.

News

Speaker Abbas mourns House Deputy Chief Whip, Hon. Onanuga

Published

30 minutes ago

January 16, 2025

Gloria Ikibah

…described her as a strong pillar in the 10th House

By Gloria Ikibah

The Speaker of the House of Representatives Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, has expressed deep grief over the demise of the Deputy Chief Whip, Hon. Adewunmi Oriyomi Onanuga, as he said she was a strong pillar who would be sorely missed in the House.

Hon. Onanuga, who represented Sagamu/Ikenne Federal Constituency of Ogun State, was serving her second term in the House before her demise after an illness.

Speaker Abbas, who said he led members of the House in support and prayers for the deceased during her health challenge, lamented her eventual death as painful.

The Speaker recalled Hon. Onanuga’s campaigns for gender equality, women empowerment and inclusion in politics and governance, especially as Chairman of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Welfare in the 9th House and as principal officer in the 10th House.

Speaker Abbas also recalled how Hon. Onanuga, as the only female member in the leadership of the House, inspired and rallied female legislators for the greater good of the chamber and the country by extension.

“Hon. Onanuga was a brilliant woman, experienced politician, resourceful lawmaker and a dependable ally in the legislative business. She was a dogged, dedicated, loyal and patriotic Nigerian. She was not just a key member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Caucus but also the leadership of the House.

“I remember her roles in the fight for gender-bills since the last Assembly, and how she rallied women from within and outside the chamber to get the support and buy-in of members on issues affecting women and children,” the Speaker said in a condolence message issued through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi.

Speaker Abbas, while condoling the Onanuga family and her constituents, commiserated with the people and the government of Ogun State as well as the APC.

The Speaker prayed to Allah to grant her Jannatul Firdaus.

News

Israeli Reportedly AKilled 80 In Gaza Few Hours After Ceasefire Deal

Published

53 minutes ago

January 16, 2025

Naijablitznews

The health ministry in Gaza says dozens of Palestinians have been killed by Israeli strikes ahead of a ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel.

Meanwhile, Israel has accused Hamas of backtracking on the agreement, with a planned cabinet vote on the deal pushed back.

Hamas says it is committed to a deal, but the BBC’s Rushdi Abualouf hears the group is attempting a last-minute push for the release of one or two symbolic prisoners from its movement.

One attack on a house near the Engineers Union Building in Gaza City in the north of the Gaza Strip on Wednesday night killed at least 18 people, Al Jazeera Arabic’s correspondent reported.

The Palestinian Civil Defence also said it retrieved the bodies of 12 people from Gaza City’s Sheikh Radwan neighbourhood.

In central Gaza, five people were killed in an Israeli drone strike that targeted a gathering of people in the Karaj area in the Bureij camp.

The death toll, which was counted from dawn on Wednesday, continued to rise as Palestinians returned to shelter in their tents after briefly celebrating news of a ceasefire deal that was reached between Israel and Hamas on Wednesday evening.

“For a couple of hours, people turned this whole area into a stage of celebration, something we are not used to seeing here as this area used to be a stage for funerals for the victims of the war and a space filled with agony and sadness,” said Al Jazeera’s Hani Mahmoud, reporting from Deir el-Balah in central Gaza.

But the ceasefire does not start until Sunday and people in Gaza fear worse is to come before the Israeli bombing stops, Mahmoud said.

“We are expecting a surge in attacks by drones and heavy artillery, and that’s what caused people to end the celebrations after two hours,” he said.

Al Jazeera’s Anas al-Sharif, reporting from Gaza City, said intense Israeli attacks there had “extinguished” the joy people felt at the initial announcement of the ceasefire.

“Just hours ago there was an atmosphere of joy and relief among residents here when the ceasefire announcement was made from Doha, stating that it would take effect in the coming days,” al-Sharif said.

“However, immediately after the announcement, Israeli warplanes extinguished that joy for the people – striking hospitals, shelters, and homes with direct air strikes.”

Both Israel and Hamas have publicly acknowledged a ceasefire and captive exchange deal has been reached, although Israel has said some final details are still to be hashed out before the agreement is sealed.

In a statement, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had spoken with Israel’s negotiating team in Doha at dawn on Thursday, who briefed him on disagreements with Hamas related to which Palestinian prisoners will be released in exchange for captives during the first phase of the deal.

As of January 1, 2025, there are at least 10, 221 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, excluding the unknown numbers of Palestinians taken from Gaza and detained by the military, including Dr Hussam Abu Safia, the director of north Gaza’s Kamal Adwan Hospital, which was destroyed by Israeli forces.

Izzat al-Risheq, a member of Hamas’s political bureau, earlier said the ceasefire deal met all of the Palestinian group’s conditions including the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, the return of displaced people to their homes, and a permanent end to war in the enclave.

The exact time the ceasefire is due to start on Sunday is not yet known, though the entire process will be implemented in three phases.

Recall that Hamas attacked southern Israel on 7 October 2023, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 back to Gaza as hostages

The attack triggered a massive Israeli offensive on Gaza, during which more than 46,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.