The National Assembly, on Tuesday, faulted the N1 billion budget proposal for a trip to Geneva by the Ministry of Trade and Investment, News About Nigeria reports.
Minister of Trade, Industry and Investment, Doris Nkiruka-Anite Uzoka, appeared before the joint committee to defend her ministry’s 2024 Budget
The minister had earlier disclosed the budgetary provisions in a document submitted to the Senate Committee on Trade.
She, however, came under fire for what the house described as a bloated budget.
Reacting to the budget submitted, former Edo State Governor and Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, dismissed the estimate, maintaining that it was humongous and a waste of public funds.
He stated that the era of going on trips to foreign countries with over-bloated teams was over and urged the minister to engage experts in the country to save costs.
The senator further accused her of abandoning her duty post on regular visits to the Bank of Industry, saying that she should not have accepted the ministerial position if she was more interested in the affairs of the bank than her ministry.
He therefore advised that she remain at her duty post and work for the good of Nigerians.
Also speaking during the defence, the former President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) faulted Nigeria’s balance of trade with other countries.
He noted that the ministry had no record of the country’s balance of trade with foreign countries, especially China, adding that if the industries in Nigeria will grow, then a proper record must be kept.
