The joint committee of the National Assembly on Trade, Industry and Investment has queried the Minister of Trade , Industry and Investment over the proposed N1 billion appropriated for trip to Geneva in 2024.
The revelation came to the fore when the Minister of Trade and Industry, Doris Uzoka, appeared before the house committee to defend the 2024 budget of the ministry.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC Edo North) questioned the rationale behind the minister’s plan to spend over one billion naira on a trip to Geneva amidst economic hardship that has forced many Nigerians into poverty.
He asked the Minister to use experts in her office to achieve results rather than embark on trips that would cost such huge funds
Oshiomhole accused the Minister for not doing enough, even as he asked if the Ministry knows the nation’s balance of trade between it and other business transactional countries.
The minister in her submission said the ministry has initiated a new unit called trade intelligence Unit to ensure that data are generated and stored.
Oshiomhole insisted that the ministry should have worked with the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Nigeria Customs Service, NCS and other agencies who have to get trade data figures
The Committee chaired by Senator Sadiq Umar (APC Kwara North) says it will ensure all frivolities in the budget are expunged before submission to the committee on appropriation.
