MINISTRIES OF FINANCE, COMMERCE, YOUTH STORM ADHA FOR 2020 BUDGET DEFENCE

In compliance with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, the Adamawa State Ministries, Departments and Agencies have commenced defending their 2020 proposed budget estimates before the House Standing Committees of the  7th Assembly.

At budget defence, heads of MDAs are expected to appear before relevant committees of the House of Assembly to defend their budget proposals, as the law has prevented the withdrawal of public funds without approval from the lawmakers.

So far, some of the MDAs that have appeared and defended what Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri proposed for them include the ministries of Finance and Budget, Commerce and Entrepreneurship Development, Youth and Sports, Culture and Tourism.

The Ministries have stormed the House of Assembly complex along side the departments and agencies operating under them where they equally defended their budget estimates for the fiscal year.

For the Ministry of Finance for instance, the Honourable Commissioner, Hon. Dr. Ishaya John Dabiri, defended the ministry's budget along side his Permanent Secretary, Mr Geoffrey Garba, other principal officers, the Executive Chairman Board of Internal (BIR), Hamman Adama Jabbari, State Accountant General, Mrs. Augustina Mandamiya, Acting Chairman Fiscal Responsibility Commission, Barr. Aminu Babajo, other heads of Bureau for Public Procurement and Debt Management Office etc.

The MDAs that made it to the hallowed chamber yesterday, defended their budget under the committees headed by Hon. Kate Raymond Mamuno (Demsa) for Finance, Budget and Appropriation, Hon. Shuaibu Dan Musa(Mubi North) for Commerce and Entrepreneurship Development and Hon. Musa Umar Bororo(Mubi South) for Youth and Sports, Culture and Tourism, and Hon. Muhammed Mutawali (Girei) for Public Accounts.

But speaking while declaring her 2020 budget defence of her committee open, Hon. Kate Raymond Mamuno(Demsa) said that it is constitutionally provided that MDAs should appear before the house and defend their proposed budget estimates before implementation.

Hon. Kate urged the her Committee members and the MDAs under he to avail themselves with the opportunity and critically scrutinise this year's budget so as to make it a workable document that will bring about the development of the state.

As stakeholders in the development of the state, according to her, there is the need to put their hands on deck to see to the progress of the state, and appealed to them to make positive contributions on the budget.

Speaking at his committee level, Hon. Shuaibu Dan Musa( Mubi North) who was represented by his Vice, Hon. Hamidu Sajo Lekki(Yola North) stressed the readiness of his committee towards adhering to the budgetary provisions during the defence.

The Honourable Member urged the executive arm to religiously implement the 2020 budget as it will be approved by the house for the socioeconomic advancement of the state.

Speaking to newsmen shortly after the defence, the Commissioner Ministry of Finance and Budget, Hon. Dr. Ishaya John Dabiri, said that the members were thorough in their defence, stating that with the cooperation of the Honourable House, the state stands to achieve a lot.