Udo Udoma begs NGO for time on request for inserted projects in 2018 budget

Minister of Budget and National Planning has begged Human and Environmental Development Agenda to give him 30 additional days to enable him provide details of projects inserted into the budget by the National Assembly. According to Centre for Social Justice in its note to members “The Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udo Udoma, has asked for 30 days extension from the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre), to furnish it with details  of the projects allegedly inserted into the 2018 budget by the  National Assembly.

HEDA,a non-governmental organisation, had in a Freedom of Information  request sent to the Ministry of Budget and National Planning demanded  for list of projects allegedly inserted into the 2018 budget by the  National Assembly. HEDA’s Freedom of Information  (FOI) request  signed by its chairman,   Mr Olanrewaju Suraju, said it is really surprised and shocked to read  that this increment and addition from the National Assembly is due to  insertion of projects considered to be improperly valued and costed.

But in his response to the alleged insertion of projects by the  lawmakers, the Minister in a response acknowledged receipt of the FoI  request. In its written response which was contained in a statement with  reference number MBNP/AB/SEC/2576 and signed by the chairperson of  MBNP, Dr. Anne Nzegwu on behalf of the Minister, the MBNP said it is  requesting for 30 days to source for the information needed.