The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) 2019 budgetary provision of over N3.2 billion for refreshment and meals, drivers’ uniforms and security votes sparked controversy at the joint Committee of Senate and House of Representatives on Monday.
While the House of Representatives members interrogated the figures, wondering how some budgetary items could cost government of such humongous amount, some Senators asked for more time for the FIRS .
In the FIRS proposed year 2019 budget revenue and Expenditure estimate submitted to the joint Committee headed by Senator John Owen Enoch, the contentious figure seen by DAILY POST were as follows.
Refreshment and meals – N800 million, cleaning and fumigation – N850 million, Uniform and other clothing – N160 million, Other materials – 150 million, Security votes – N250 million and Security services for the 2019 is to cost N1 billion.
A member of the Committee, Hon. Baballe Bashir queried how such spurious amount could be expended for refreshment and drivers uniforms.
“Mr. Chairman, distinguished members, I am not comfortable with the budget. To me, the amount is too much. What kind of refreshment and drivers uniforms are we talking about here?
“Sir, if you check on page 11, there is a provision for security services differently from security votes with N1 billion and N250 million respectively.”
Another member, Hon. Nicholas Ossai representing Ndokwa/Ukwuani maintained that FIRS 2018 budgetary performance was poor.
He said, the 2019 budget can only be approved, if there was satisfactory performance, a position he said, was in line with Parliamentary oversight functions.
He carpeted the FIRS Chairman, Mr. Tunde Fowler, for not doing enough to meet the IGR target of the year, 2018.
“Mr. Chairman, I have the mandate of my constituents to do the right thing. We should not allow somebody to roll omnibus figures without defending it. ”
“To me, the foundation is weak and the document should either be reworked or we reject it out rightly. This is my position sir.”
As other members of the House took turn in expressing disappointment over the contentious items, the joint Committee Chairman, John Enoh urged lawmakers to exercise restraint.
Enoh, who was visibly uncomfortable with the position of lower lawmakers, assured them that whatever was lacking would be remedied before passage of the budget.
After consultation with Senators Victor Umeh and Hope Uzodinma, he asked the FIRS Chairman to address concerns raised.
The seemingly embarrassed Chairman struggle to defend how uniform would be sewed for 850 drivers of the FIRS to the dissatisfaction of other members who were curiously raising hands to make remark, but were over ruled by the Committee Chairman.
The FIRS Chairman appeared before the Joint Committee alongside senior officials of the agency, while the Committee was expected to submit report before the 8th Assembly winds up.
Reacting to the sharp differences among the lawmakers after the meeting, Senator Hope Uzodinma noted that it was a normal practice among parliamentarians, saying that the grey areas would be addressed before passing the budget into law.