FG's 2019 budget only funds 30 embassies abroad, 80 neglected.

The Nigerian High Commission in London sacked over
50 members of staff last year, a decision that was taken
partly due to budgetary constraints [Punch]

80 of Nigeria's embassies abroad have not been captured for funding in the 2019 appropriation bill submitted to the National Assembly by President Muhammadu Buhari.

While defending the budget estimate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, the ministry's Permanent Secretary, Mustapha Suleiman, said only 30 embassies can be funded with the capital votes earmarked in the budget.

He lamented that the N4.123 billion capital votes proposed for the Missions for the 2019 fiscal year, out of the entire N7.6 billion proposed for the foreign affairs ministry, can only cover 30 out of the 110 Missions abroad that were critically in need of such funding.

According to a report by ThisDay, Suleiman said the N4.123 billion capital votes proposed for all the 110 Missions was a far cry from the N11.333 billion earmarked in 2018, signifying a 64% reduction.

"As a result of this, only 30 Missions could be considered out of 110 Missions for purchase of representational car, renovation/completion of ongoing projects," he said.

By Samson Toromade.

Full story at Pulse NG.