In a recent revelation by Seun Onigbinde, Co-Founder of BudgIT, during an interview on the Mic On Podcast with anchor Seun Okinbaloye FROM 39:21, the National Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR) has come under scrutiny following a significant increase in its approved budget. The institution, initially proposed a budget of N4.9 billion, but the approved budget ballooned to a staggering N58.28 billion.
Onigbinde raised concerns over the National Assembly’s decision to inject over N53 billion worth of capital projects into NIOMR, highlighting that many of these projects appeared to have no direct relevance to the institute’s mandate. He pointed out specific allocations, such as N500 million earmarked for the construction of a “model VIP toilet” in Ward 2 of Eda Local Government Area and N2.3 billion for the construction of Adesanolu Road in Mowe Ibafo, Obafemi Owode.
“How does it make sense that an institute focused on oceanography and marine research would be involved in the construction of toilets and roads?” Onigbinde questioned, highlighting the apparent mismatch between the institute’s core mission and the capital projects being funded under its name.
The revelations raise questions about the integrity of the budgeting process and the effectiveness of capital allocations. “When you look at the mandate of the National Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research over the past decade, it has largely been reduced to paying salaries and handling capital projects that have no relevance to its core purpose,” Onigbinde added.
In his words;
“National Institute for Oceanography and marine research. What was proposed for this agency was 4.9 billion when the approved Budget came out it was 58.28 billion naira. The National Assembly added over 53 billion naira of capital project into this agency alone. When you now go deep into which kind of capital projects are inserted into it. You’ll see the construction of model VIP toilet in ward 2 Eda Local Government Area, 500 million. What’s the business of an institute of Oceanography and marine research and you have the construction of Adesanolu Road, mowe Ibafo, Obafemi Owode, 2.3 billion in a institute of Oceanography and marine research.
“Where does that make sense at all. The Budget goes in and by the time it comes out, it doesn’t just make sense. So you now look at the mandate of the National institute of Oceanography and marine research and 10 years down the line, It just pay Salaries. It does capital projects that has no business with it and we’re now asking how are not developed”