Author: Gist Correspondent

There was mild drama in the Senate on Friday as several senators raised concerns over inadequate funding, warning that the shortfall is hampering the effective functioning of standing committees and undermining budget implementation.

The concerns were voiced during a meeting between the Senate Committee on Appropriations, chaired by Senator Olamilekan Adeola (APC, Ogun West), and chairmen of various standing committees ahead of the consideration of the 2026 budget.

Leading the complaints, Senator Anthony Ani (APC, Ebonyi South) disclosed that the Senate Committee on the South East Development Commission had not received any funds since its inauguration, making it impossible to convene meetings or engage relevant agencies.

“Mr Chairman, you have outlined the timetable for the 2026 budget consideration, but the committee on the South East Development Commission, which I belong to, has not been given a dime since its formation. We cannot organise a single meeting with any agency,” Ani said.

He added that other committees overseeing zonal development commissions were facing similar challenges, questioning how such committees could function effectively without financial support.

Corroborating his concerns, Chairman of the Senate Committee on the North Central Development Commission, Senator Titus Zam (APC, Benue North West), warned that the initial enthusiasm surrounding the establishment of the commissions was fast giving way to disappointment.

“The lack of funding is gradually turning the excitement that greeted the creation of these commissions into frustration and lamentation,” Zam said.

Expanding the debate to broader budgetary concerns, Deputy Minority Leader of the Senate, Senator Oyewunmi Olalere (PDP, Osun West), cautioned that the proposed transition to single budget implementation from April 1, 2026, was under threat due to lingering obligations from previous budgets.

He noted that parts of the capital component of the 2024 budget remained unpaid, while the 30 per cent capital allocation of the 2025 budget was also yet to be fully released.

“Today is January 30, which leaves just two months to clear outstanding obligations from the 2024 and 2025 budgets if the promised single budget implementation from April 1, 2026, is to be realised,” Olalere said, urging the Appropriations Committee to ensure revenue-generating agencies meet their targets.

Senator Francis Adenigba Fadaunsi (APC, Osun East) echoed the concerns, saying unpaid contractors from the 2024 budget were still protesting. He called on the Appropriations Committee to urgently engage relevant stakeholders to address the backlog before April 2026.

“I concur with my colleague. The 2024 budget debt has not been settled, and affected contractors are still carrying placards,” Fadaunsi said.

However, Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) urged his colleagues to exercise patience, advising them to wait until full details of the N58.472 trillion 2026 budget are made available before drawing conclusions.

Following Oshiomhole’s intervention, Senator Adeola called for an executive session and asked journalists to excuse themselves from the meeting.