By James Isaac
The Senate Committee on Interior, led by Senator Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, has cautioned the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) against actions that could undermine the National Assembly’s constitutional oversight role.
During an oversight visit to the NIS headquarters in Sauka, Abuja, on Monday, Senator Oshiomhole criticized the agency’s management, led by Comptroller General Mrs. Kemi Nanna Nandap, for failing to provide a conducive environment for the committee to discharge its duties. He suggested that the lack of cooperation could indicate an attempt to obscure certain operational details.
“The National Assembly, as representatives of the people, has a constitutional mandate to oversee government agencies. Attempts to frustrate this process will not be tolerated. The Immigration Service must remain accountable to Nigerians through the National Assembly,” Oshiomhole stated.
The committee directed the NIS to present its nominal roll and budget performance for the year 2024 during its budget defense session.
In her response, Comptroller General Nandap pledged the agency’s commitment to strengthening its collaboration with the National Assembly. She assured the committee of the NIS’s dedication to transparency and improving service delivery to Nigerians.
At the headquarters of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Senate Committee on Interior was received by Commandant General Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi.
Dr. Audi presented a detailed report on the NSCDC’s 2024 capital budget performance, revealing that as of October 2024, only ₦960.28 million—9% of the ₦10.66 billion appropriated—had been released. He explained that the limited budget release was insufficient to fund over 50 critical capital projects valued at more than ₦16 billion.
“Many essential projects are delayed due to inadequate funding. We urge the National Assembly to support the NSCDC with increased budgetary allocations to ensure timely project completion and improved service delivery,” Audi appealed.
In his response, Senator Oshiomhole urged the NSCDC to prioritize projects that directly enhance the agency’s operational capacity. He emphasized the need to avoid initiating projects that have little impact on the organization’s effectiveness.
The visits are part of the Senate Committee on Interior’s broader efforts to ensure accountability, transparency, and optimal utilization of resources by agencies under its purview.
