Budget Office Clarifies Status of Peace Corps Appropriation
The Budget Office of the Federation has stated that the N1.3 billion appropriated for the Peace Corps of Nigeria (PCN) under the Public Finance Initiative (PFI) and the Public Finance and Infrastructure Procurement Commission (PFIPC) was never released as cash. The clarification comes amid public discourse questioning the utilization of funds allocated to the agency.
Official Statement on Appropriation vs. Release
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Director of Information at the Budget Office, Mrs. Oluwaseun Ogun, explained that the appropriation was a legislative approval that did not translate to actual cash release. She emphasized that the funds remained within the budgetary allocation framework and were not disbursed to the Peace Corps.
“The N1.3 billion appropriation for the Peace Corps under the PFI/PFIPC line item is a statutory provision that has not been accessed or released. It is important to distinguish between budget approval and cash release,” Ogun said.
Details of the Appropriation
The Budget Office further disclosed that the appropriation was part of the capital component of the 2024 budget, specifically earmarked for the Peace Corps under the Public Finance Initiative. However, due to procedural requirements and the need for compliance with public financial management regulations, the funds were not released.
According to the Budget Office, the Peace Corps had not fulfilled all necessary conditions for fund release, including submission of required documentation and adherence to procurement guidelines. The office urged the public to rely on official communication rather than speculation.
Context and Public Reaction
The clarification follows reports suggesting that the Peace Corps had received the funds, prompting questions about transparency and accountability. The Budget Office’s statement aims to dispel misconceptions and reaffirm the government’s commitment to fiscal discipline.
Peace Corps National Commandant, Dr. Dickson Akoh, had earlier indicated that the agency was expecting the funds to support its operations and community development projects. However, the Budget Office’s denial suggests that the agency has not yet accessed the appropriation.
Impact on Peace Corps Operations
The non-release of the N1.3 billion may affect the Peace Corps’ planned activities for the year, including youth empowerment programs and security initiatives. The agency, which focuses on volunteerism and community service, relies on government funding to execute its mandate.
Stakeholders have called for a review of the fund release process to ensure that appropriated funds are disbursed promptly when agencies meet requirements. The Budget Office assured that it would work with the Peace Corps to address any outstanding issues.
