The senator representing Delta North has highlighted the crucial role Senate multi-committee budget defence meetings play in scrutinizing government spending plans and policy priorities in a fiscal cycle.
Sen. Nwoko, who also chairs the Senate Committee on Reparations and Repatriation, in an interaction with journalists on Wednesday, said his participation in several high-level budget defence meetings reflects his commitment to legislative oversight and fiscal accountability in the National Assembly.
Covering key sectors including finance, local government, sports, and defence as a member of the relevant committees, the senator said he engaged ministry and agency representatives directly, contributing to deliberations and raising issues aimed at promoting transparency and efficiency in the management of public funds.
According to him, budget defence meetings are a central element of the appropriation process, providing lawmakers with the opportunity to examine proposed expenditures, assess programme justifications, and ensure that allocations are aligned with national development objectives.
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“These sessions allow committees to evaluate funding proposals, performance targets, and implementation frameworks submitted by ministries, departments, and agencies,” he said.
Sen. Nwoko noted that the deliberations offered lawmakers the chance to interrogate policy proposals and scrutinise the assumptions underlying projected spending.
Discussions, he explained, focused on resource allocation models, sectoral priorities, and policy direction, with members assessing whether budget proposals adequately meet operational demands while delivering measurable public value.
He further outlined the areas of focus across the different sectors reviewed.
In the finance sector, the senator said deliberations centred on revenue forecasts, fiscal discipline, and measures to maintain macroeconomic stability.
Furthermore, he said lawmakers also examined funding structures and queried assumptions affecting long-term budget sustainability.
The local government session, he said, addressed grassroots development funding, administrative capacity, and mechanisms for improving service delivery at the subnational level.
For the sports sector, he disclosed that discussions focused on infrastructure development, athlete support programmes, and strategies to enhance Nigeria’s international competitiveness.
Sen. Nwoko added that his involvement across multiple committees enabled him to contribute to cross-sectoral oversight and promote policy coherence in the budgeting process.
