Senate raises 2026 Budget of Public Complaints Commission from N29bn to N109bn

2026-02-24 - 17:36

As Ethics Committee requests N20m increase in monthly allocation to function effectively By Henry Umoru ABUJA — The Senate has recommended an increase in the 2026 budget of the Public Complaints Commission from N29,460,000,000.00 to N109,017,602,162.00. According to the Senate, in the 2025 Appropriation Act, the Commission’s allocation was N14,460,000,000, which was insufficient to pay staff salaries, although the Commission received a 100 per cent release of the amount. The allocation was utilised for Personnel Cost at N10,375,448,635.00; Overhead Cost at N2,955,591,368.00; and Capital Cost at N1,128,959,997.00. This was disclosed yesterday when Senator Neda Imasuen (APC, Edo South) submitted the harmonised 2026 budget report by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions to the Senate Committee on Appropriations, chaired by Senator Olamilekan Adeola (APC, Ogun West). Senator Imasuen noted that the Public Complaints Commission is an arm of the National Assembly and enjoys first-line charge from the Federal Government Appropriation Bill. He said that in the 2026 Appropriation Bill, the total allocation to the Commission is N29,460,000,000.00. He further explained that the Commission will utilise almost the entire allocation for Personnel Cost, amounting to N28,393,588,773.00, while the balance of N1,066,411,277.00 will cover limited aspects of Overhead Cost, as there is no provision for Capital Cost. He said: “The justifications to use the sum of N28,393,588,773.00 are to implement payment of staff minimum wage as approved by the Federal Government, 15 months CONLESS arrears being enjoyed by National Assembly staff and its other arms, five years’ promotion arrears, payment of benefits of retired Secretaries of the Commission and provision for employment of new staff, among others. “The Commission requested additional funding of N30,261,835,401.00 for Overhead Cost to cover increased electricity tariffs, fueling of motor vehicles, sewage charges, water rates, generators, training materials and other operational needs. “Additional funding of N50,362,177,988.00 for Capital Cost is for the extension of the headquarters office, construction of office buildings in 21 states of the federation, payment for lands already allocated to some state offices, purchase of vehicles, and research and development.” He added that the Committee recommended increasing the Commission’s funding in the 2026 Appropriation Bill from N29.46 billion to N109.02 billion. Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions has written to the Appropriations Committee requesting a N20 million increase in the Committee’s monthly allocation to enable it function effectively. Senator Imasuen said the committee plays a critical role in addressing grievances of Nigerians — including workers, contractors and vulnerable citizens — who petition the Senate seeking justice over perceived injustices in workplaces, business dealings and interactions with government institutions. He noted that the committee sits almost daily to ensure timely dispensation of justice, incurring significant expenses on stationery, office equipment, honoraria, transport assistance for indigent petitioners, correspondence dispatch and other logistics. According to him, the current monthly allocation of N9,000,000 is no longer sufficient to cover these expenses amid prevailing economic realities. He therefore urged the Appropriations Committee to approve the increase and ensure that payment of the new grant, when approved, takes effect from January 2026.