Rio Olympics: Reps Call for Immediate Release of Funds for Team Nigeria

The House of Representatives on Wednesday called on the Federal Government to immediately release funds to the Ministry of Sports to facilitate the country’s preparations at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

The resolution followed a unanimous adoption of a motion under Matters-of-Urgent Public Importance raised by Hon. Danburam Nuhu (APC-Kano).

Presenting the motion, Nuhu decried the non-provision of funds to Team Nigeria to begin preparations ahead of the games scheduled to kick-off in August 5.

He expressed concern that athletes were not in camp few days to the commencement of the games and said that late preparations had hampered the country’s performance in previous competitions.

Nuhu said that since there was budgetary provision to enable the country participate in the Olympic, funds should be released to enable the athletes compete favourably.

He said that immediate release of funds for the contingent’s final preparations for the games would go a long way in promoting a winning spirit within the team.

“The fund required to participate in the Olympics was captured in the 2016 Appropriation, which was passed by the House in March and signed into law since May 2016, yet not released to the Ministry of Sports. This kind of preparation and the 11th hour release of funds will mar the performance of Team Nigeria,” he said.

After adopting the motion, the house urged the Ministry of Sports, the Accountant-General of the Federation and the Budget Office to ensure the immediate release of funds.

It also mandated its Committee on Sports to invite the Minister of Sports and the President, Nigeria Olympics Committee to ascertain the level of preparations.

The committee was given one week to report back.