Senate queries FMARD on budget performance, demands answer to fifty questions.

Sen. BUKOLA ABUBAKAR SARAKI

* Perm Sec transferred, allegedly for incompetence

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) management team under the leadership of the Minister, Chief Audu Ogbeh was tongue-lashed by the senate committee on agriculture with many questions on why the ministry has refused to spend 2016 appropriation to ensuring agricultural production to the benefit of small scales farmers. 

Chief  Ogbeh, according to our source, was particularly put on a hot seat as many questions were being thrown at him without any favorable response as expected from him by the senators who were particularly vexed with the situation of the sector especially with the way and manner things were being handled in the ministry as regards implementation of the budget appropriation of which about 64% of funds had been released for 2016.

Findings by FoodFarmNews revealed that the committee on agriculture was particular not happy with the way thing are being done in the ministry as there is not much synergy in the ministry coupled non-implementation of the 64% released appropriation budget for 2016 of which little or nothing was expended to the benefit of agricultural production, while the bulk of the money expended were on procurement with less for inputs support to the small scale farmers.

A source close to the committee told our correspondent that the spokesman of the Senate who is also a member of the committee tongue lashed the minister and his crew because of critical issues that seem to be hindering the ministry from working at the pace of the present administration’s expectation as the status quo still remains with no change especially in the ways of doing things.

One of the questions asked by the senate committee, according to an eyes witness, was why has the ministry refused to spend 64% of the budget approved and released for execution since they know that agriculture is time bound.

All efforts of the budget defense moderator to pacify  the minister so as not to see the scenario as witch-hunting was rebuffed by Chairman of the meeting who insisted on more questions and asked the ministry to answer and revert back immediately to the committee.

The senate was asking for well computed figures of numbers of things to be procured in the year 2016 appropriation and released budget with the numbers already procured.

Other questions thrown at the minister and his crew were- What is the role of FMARD in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Anchor Borrower Programme? How does the ministry want to assist the small holder farmers and many more?

Our source said that the flow of the questions from the committee members revealed that the senate may have rated the ministry’s performance very low to Mr. President’s expectation for agricultural development through assisted programme to the small scale farmers.

The source also revealed that the level of synergy that can give performance delivery to the ministry was not just there between the Minister and the civil servants allegedly because of personality conflict as many sensitive memos meant for the minister is never delivered either by his personal aides or lost in transit thereby creating a serious communication gap, something which been hindering progress in the ministry.

Also it was gathered that the process of budget implementation had not been  transparent in the ministry as most of the procurement activities were still being handled in the same usual ways that did not conform with change mantra of President Mohammudu Buhari.

Sources confirmed that the minister may not know much about the procurement process according to civil service procedure as this was usually done between the permanent secretary and director in charge who may have connived to ‘split’ an appropriation component in a way as to allow discrepancy, and there is no way the minster can know except an explanation like this is demanded.

Meanwhile, the Head of Civil Service of the Federation has swapped the Permanent Secretary of the FMARD Dr. Shehu Ahmed with his counterpart at the Federal Ministry of Environment, with a directive which was approved by the acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo stating that the handling over must be concluded before March 10, 2017.

 

Some of the people who spoke on condition of anonymity said that the ministry had finally been delivered from leadership incompetency being displayed by the outgoing permanent secretary saying professionalism was almost relegated through favoritism.

The following allegations were levied against him-failure to implement budget despite release-

*forceful removal of a director without regards to laid down rules and regulation with example of former Director of Animal Husbandry Services, Dr. Ademola Raji whose case is still pending before the Head of Civil Service commission.

*Illegal seal of government office with the aid of security men thereby creating bad precedence and making other directors feel unsafe.

* Gross administrative incompetence.

* Disregard to public service rule in conduct of his duties as permanent secretary.