The National Assembly Joint Committee on Interior on Friday suspended the budget defence session of the Federal Fire Service over inconsistencies in its 2025 budget proposal.
The decision was reached during the FFS Controller-General, Jaji Idris’s presentation before the committee, co-chaired by Senator Adams Oshiomhole of the Senate Committee on Interior and Abdullahi Ahmed, his counterpart from the House of Representatives. The session was convened to review the agency’s 2024 budget performance and 2025 proposal.
The committee flagged inconsistencies in the procurement costs for 10 trucks. The submitted documents listed identical trucks from the same manufacturer at two different prices—N1.5 billion in one instance and N2.5 billion in another.
When questioned, Jaji Idris attributed the discrepancies to differences in tanker sizes but failed to provide supporting documentation. Lawmakers criticised the absence of these critical details in the budget submission.
Senator Oshiomhole expressed his frustration, stating, “This is what some may call over-padding or over-invoicing. It is a very serious matter. What you wrote contradicts what you are saying, and we hold you to your written statements.”
The committee also identified irregularities in the budget’s provisions for ongoing contracts. The proposal listed an outstanding payment of N603 billion but failed to provide necessary breakdowns and specifications.
Oshiomhole highlighted the importance of clear documentation, stating, “We need to appreciate the difference between contract commitments and proposals. Without proper documentation, this committee cannot approve your budget.”
He emphasised the need for fiscal discipline, adding, “When you come before this committee, be ready. We will be critical, not to cause you trouble, but to ensure Nigerians get value for money. Government should be less wasteful. Every N10 lost by MDAs, when multiplied across all agencies, becomes an alarming figure. As our President keeps reminding us, he is trying to draw a bucket of water from a dry well. It is our duty to ensure that the little drawn is properly distributed so that every Nigerian gets a sip, especially the poor.”
Further scrutiny revealed inadequate information on the agency’s revenue generation and remittance. The FFS Controller-General presented manual receipts, which the committee deemed insufficient. They requested robust evidence, including bank statements and validation from the Accountant-General’s Office, to substantiate the agency’s claims.
In light of these issues, the committee suspended the FFS budget defence, directing the agency to revise its documents and provide a proper submission.
Senator Oshiomhole issued a stern warning: “Work on your documents and submit a proper presentation to this committee. Otherwise, there will be zero allocation for the agency.”
He reiterated the lawmakers’ commitment to ensuring fiscal transparency and the judicious use of public funds. The session, he added, placed the onus on the Federal Fire Service to rectify its budgetary errors to secure funding for 2025.
