The Senate has invited the Minister of Finance Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed to explain her refusal to release the sum of N50 billion to the Nigerian Army for ” Operation Lafia Dole” to prosecute war against insurgents in the troubled Northeast region despite appropriation to that effect.
The Senate through its Committee on Army asked the Minister of Finance to appear before it following an alarm raised by the Nigerian Army that the non release of funds appropriated to it by the Ministry of Finance has greatly hampered its war operations in the Northeast.
The minister will need to also provide explanation regarding alleged discrepancies the Senate panel said it had uncovered in the documents submitted through her office that do not correspond with that of the army.
Chairman Senate Committee on Army, Senator Ali Ndume expressed disappointment at the Ministry of Finance.
The Senate panel extended similar invitation to the Director-General, Budget Office, Ben Akabueze.
