By Levinus Nwabughiogu-Abuja

Appropriation Committee of the House of Representatives has summoned the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Sadiya Umar Farouk to appear before it and defend her 2022 budget.

The Committee said it would not accept any other person rather than the minister herself.

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Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Mukhtar Betera who handed down the summons said that there were issues that required the physical presence of the minister than any other official of the ministry.

He said that Farouk had consistently refused to appear in person before the Committee despite the invitations and communications sent to her, informing that the House may be compelled to take a decisive action.

It will recalled that the minister had overseen huge spendings of national funds on palliatives in the 2020 and 2021 budgets.

Though she had sent her the Permanent Secretary, PS, of the ministry, the  Committee chairman however insisted that Farouk must appear before the lawmakers.

“Sadiya Farouq, rather than appear before the Committee, kept delegating the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Nura Alkali, to do this function.

“Alkali had made herself available, but the committee was uncomfortable with the Minister’s behaviours, making it to reject the Permanent Secretary’s appearance”, Betera said.