Minister Denies Earmarking N1bn for Geneva Trips
By Patience Ikpeme
The Minister for Trade and Investment, Dr. Doris Nkiruka Uzoka-Anite in a recent statement, has vehemently denied allegations that she earmarked over N1 billion for trips to Geneva.
The minister’s office clarified that media reports stating the budgeted amount for a Foreign Trip to Geneva next year is an “extreme misrepresentation of the facts.”
The statement categorically stated that there is no such line item in the proposed budget of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment referencing any “Foreign Trip to Geneva.” The only mention of “Geneva” in the proposed budget is related to the maintenance of the Nigerian Trade Office in Geneva, specifically the “External Trade Sector, Geneva (WTO).” It was clarified that this mention may have been misconstrued as a “Foreign Trip to Geneva.”
The budget appropriation for 2024 concerning Nigeria’s Trade Office in Geneva amounts to N1,610,183,599. The breakdown of this amount is as follows: Personnel Cost: N805,379,820; Overhead: N204,058,434; and Capital: N600,745,345.
To clarify further, the statement explained that Nigeria, as an active player in global trade, maintains an office in Geneva responsible for representing and defending Nigeria’s multilateral trade interests in international organizations such as the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), both headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
The Nigerian Trade Office in Geneva, like any other organization, has obligations, overhead costs, and maintenance expenses that must be met. The budget also highlights an outstanding debt of N499,000,000.00 owed by the Nigeria Trade Office in Geneva. It was deemed necessary to propose a budget that would clear Nigeria’s outstanding debts in Geneva and maintain the country’s respected position among the comity of nations.
The Minister emphasized the commitment of the Ministry to prudence, transparency, and accountability. The statement aimed to provide accurate information to counter the misrepresentation in the media.
As of now, the allegations made against the Minister stand firmly denied, and the Ministry continues to focus on its mission of promoting trade and investment opportunities for the country.
