Paschal Emeka, Abuja

The House of Representatives Committee on Mines and Steel Development has tasked the Minister of Mines and Steel Development and indeed public office holders on prudent management adding that Nigeria is currently among the countries with high debt profile.

The Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Ibrahim Ali advised on Tuesday in his welcome remarks while receiving a minister of Mines and Steel Development who appeared before lawmakers for the 2023 Budget Defence.

He informed that the purpose of budget defense as part of his committee mandates is to ensure accurate and first-hand assessment of how Ministries, departments, and agencies put to use funds given to them by the government for the betterment of Nigeria and Nigerians.

Lawmakers also used the opportunity of the budget defense to interrogate the ministers and his team on how much they generated, they spent as well as their projection for next year’s budget.

He also explained that under Norman and proper management, the mines and Steel sector could turn around the whole economy for good.

However, the lawmakers also mandated the Minister to submit a complete list of contacts as well as contractors handling them, and the proposed sites among others to the committee’s clerk.

Speaking during his presentation, the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Olamilekan Adegbite said his ministry has been up and doing since his emergence as a minister.

He explained that his ministry has never been funded fully the way it should have been until he was corrected by members of the committee.

A member of the committee had reminded the Minister of his Ministry’s failure to tender the necessary documents requested for more information.

In his reaction, the Minister apologized for his ministry’s inability to tender documents requested by lawmakers blaming such negligence on his former Director for Finance and Administration, DFA.