2016 Budget: Reps Query DPR Over N30.570 Billion Overhead Cost

The  House Committee on Petroleum Resources, on Thursday, queried the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) over N30.570 billion overhead cost it proposed in the 2016 appropriation bill.

The committee, during the DPR budget defence, demanded for the nominal roll of the agency, as well as three years’ audited accounts with the view to ascertaining details of revenue generated within the years under review.

Members of the committee also queried the sum of N624,742,774 proposed for acquisition of non-tangible assets; N183.294 million for purchase of fire fighting equipment, N184,820,226 for purchase of furniture and fittings and N80.328 for construction/provision of fixed assets.

The lawmakers also frowned on the sum of N16,856,642,764.47 proposed for benefits and allowances in 2016 and N16,946,912,541.50 approved in 2015 Appropriation Act for the agency with 1,180 staff.

According to the committee, average of N25 million was being taking by each staff per annum, while the sum of N34 million was proposed for refreshment and meal by the agency.

Responding to questions from the committee on the internally generated revenue of the agency, DPR’s Assistant Director, Budget and Planning, Mr Wole Akinyosoye, disclosed that the total sum of N587,643,105,395.23 realised by the agency in 2015 was remitted to the Federation Account.

In a related development, the House Committee on FCT Area Council and Area Councils and Ancillary Matters, chaired by Zephaniah Jisalo, urged Muhammad Bello, FCT Minister, on the need to ensure adequate provision of critical infrastructure in the satellite towns in the bid to reduce congestion in the city center.