The National Institute for Culture Orientation has laid out plans for the distribution of rice worth N200 million to communities in Southern Ijaw Federal Constituency in 2025.
Truthlive News gathered that that NICO, an institution under the Ministry of Information and National Orientation revealed this via its budget for the year.
In the budget, rice which is the item under code “ERGP20257419 will be distributed to “constituents in Southern Ijaw Federal Constituency, Bayelsa State.”
Other items listed include the provision of grains to residents of Mabuhu in Kaduna State, which is expected to cost N100million.
Another N100million is earmarked for purchasing fishing nets, accessories, and empowering fishermen in the Southern Ijaw Federal Constituency.
A review of the listed functions of the National Institute for Culture Orientation reveals that distributing rice is not part of the institute’s mandate.
The act establishing the institute, its functions include serving as a focus for cultural orientation in national matters, promoting and reviving Nigeria’s culture and history, and promoting various forms of enlightenment on Nigerian culture.
However, many of the projects listed in the budget fall outside the scope of the institute’s legal functions.
The budget document also shows that, in 2025, the institute will engage in activities such as constructing roads, installing solar lights, and rehabilitating classrooms, all of which are not part of its established mandate.
While a budget of N200million has been allocated for rice distribution, N25million is earmarked for the “Nigeria Indigenous Language Program.”
Additionally, N30 million is set aside for a seminar on values, ethics, and the management of cultural diversity across six geopolitical zones.
An annual roundtable on cultural orientation also has a budget allocation of N25 million.
Meanwhile, a previous review of the budget document highlights that the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) plans to allocate N2 billion for land and bush-clearing activities across various states, Saharareporters disclosed.
This expenditure is detailed under the budget code “ERGP1224383.”
The budget breakdown indicates that significant portions of this N2 billion will be used for clearing land for NALDA farms in different regions. Specifically, land clearing for NALDA cluster farms in Osun State is projected to cost N500 million.
Additionally, land clearing and development for NALDA’s horticulture clusters in selected states are budgeted at N300million.
Another key project in the budget includes clearing 120 hectares of agricultural land at Ado/Akinwunmi village, as well as installing a solar-powered borehole at Ado Village, with a projected cost of N200 million.
However, the review also highlights potential concerns regarding the inclusion of projects outside the agency’s direct mandate.
For instance, the construction of an access road in Akpa/Agudu Federal Constituency has been budgeted at N400 million.
Other non-agricultural projects in the budget include the provision of motorcycles for the Isa Sabo Birni Federal Constituency in Sokoto State, costing N40 million, and the supply of school furniture across the Jigawa South Senatorial District in Jigawa State, with an estimated cost of N100million.