2018 BUDGET: WHO BE THIEF?

The national budget represents the estimate of income and expenditure framework of the federal government in the very fiscal year usually January to December.

The essence of a national budget by all standards gives the needed impetus to investors, market operators and other key stakeholders as it provides a policy direction to the major drivers of the nation’s economy.

Since the inception of this fourth republic in 1999 till date, the intrigues that have trailed the preparation, passage and implementation of a document as critical as the budget to the country exposes the nature of both the executive and legislature as mere political jobbers that are least interested in providing good governance and promoting the general well-being of all Nigerians which is the primary purpose of government.

A cursory look at the yearly budgets highlights humongous amounts appropriated to all the arms of government including their appendages respectively. On a yearly basis, given, a scrupulous disposition to the execution of the projects backed by the political will needed, ought to have changed the present narratives and as such place Nigeria on the same pedestal as its contemporaries. This dream has remained elusive due to the manipulative collaboration of the political gladiators to constantly shortchange the system at the detriment of Nigerians.

The budgets have been plagued by various issues even that are driven by personal, selfish and clannish interests other than national interest.

Recurring challenges with our budget:

1.       Disparity between the recurrent expenditure estimates and the capital expenditure estimates in favor of the recurrent expenditure over time amongst all the tiers of government. An indication of prohibitive cost of governance.

2.       The disproportionate amount of money in excess of N130bn appropriated to the National Assembly which constitute 0.00026 of the entire population of 180million Nigerians. It is unjustifiable given the fact that their output regarding law making and enforcing religiously the oversight functions is far below average performance rating over the years. The system is suffering due to this legislative ineptitude.

3.       The tradition of inserting white elephant projects across the country without execution while same projects are recycled in the succeeding yearly budgets endlessly with proper check in place. This can only be possible through a possible connivance of the executive and legislature against the spirit and letters of the constitution and ethics of good governance.

4.       The prevalence of nepotistic tendencies in the inclusion and implementation of projects skewed in favor of certain ‘privileged’ sections or geo political zones of the country to the utter disadvantage of other geo political zones which rekindles the political injustice that has constituted an albatross, leaving us more as a disunited people with nothing good to show for it. No progress without peace.

The insincerity and lack of political will of the executive and legislative leaderships as re echoed by unnecessary delay, politicking and grandstanding with the nation’s 2018 budget leaves the average Nigerian rather curious. It took over 7seven months to get the said budget signed amidst claims and counter claims about tinkering with the budget by both arms of government. 

A new  Rogue term "Padding" has found its way into our budgetary discourse. Both arms of government spare no energy at justifying this at all times. 

Concerns:

If there were unauthorized ‘cuts’ or ‘additions’ (padding)

Then who did that?  

For what reason(s)?

Are the so-called ‘cuts’ and ‘additions’ in the interest of Nigerians or for personal aggrandizement?

Has the budget become an official vessel for filtering of common wealth (resources)?

Were there discoveries of certain phantom or recycled Capital projects/Constituency projects in the budget? 

More than anything, Nigerians deserve a more responsible and responsive leadership, hence, all arms and agencies relevant to the appropriation and implementation of the 2018 budget must swing into action to sustain the workings and operations of government and its agencies and ameliorate the hardship in the land.

Nigerians are in dire need of succor and relief. This should be a top priority of the government and not the ‘serial blame game’.

While we subject the 2018 budget of N9,120,334,988,226.00trn to critical analysis and its impact on all the sectors of the economy, geopolitical zones and the entire country, unfolding activities will reveal if it is indeed the budget of consolidation or otherwise with time and if this present government is worth our votes and time come 2019 or not.

The budget must be such that will enhance the living standards of Nigerians.

Politics is about leadership and not scheming.

 As 2019 beckons, the focus of Nigerians at all levels should be #EnthroneTheRightLeadership.

 UGO MADU

nkosisonga@gmail.com

Abuja, FCT