The Senate Committee on Sustainable Development Goals on Monday, denied the Minister of State for Works and Housing, Abubakar Aliyu, the privilege of defending the ministry budget.
The panel said the Minister was not competent to defend the Ministry’s budget.
The Minister of State for Works and Housing had appeared before the lawmakers to defend the 2020 budget proposal of the Ministry.
The Committee Chairman, Senator Aishat Dahiru, prevented the Minister from presenting the budget before the Committee because the Minister was still new in the Ministry.
Dahiru said Fashola must appear in person to clarify the implementation of some 2019 SDGs projects.
She said, “Most of the replies to correspondences the Committee exchanged with the Ministry were personally signed by Fashola.
“The issues for which the Committee is seeking clarification took place when Fashola was Minister of Power, Works and Housing, hence, he is the only one competent to shed light on them.
“The minister decided to travel after agreeing on the session with the committee only to send the Minister of State to represent him.”
The committee unanimously resolved to turn down the Minister of State and adjourned to await Fashola by 2:00 p.m. on Monday.
