Punch Editorial Board
FOR a government that projects change, the 2016 national budget proposals are in certain respects an outright mess. Its authors exhibited an unpardonable level of slothfulness, while President Muhammadu Buhari, who dutifully presented it, was inattentive. The proposals should be withdrawn and amended to remove the in-built waste, extravagance and fraud smuggled in by bureaucrats.
Buhari’s reputation for honesty, frugality and fiscal responsibility has taken a hit from the self-indulgence embedded in the proposals. How can a government of change justify spending N3.8 billion on the State House Medical Centre, over N1 billion on the purchase of vehicles and N89.17 million on canteen/kitchen equipment at a time of austerity and belt-tightening for the State House?
To be sure, the overall budget has noble intentions and targets. The N1.8 trillion, or about 30 per cent of the N6.08 trillion plan, set aside for capital expenditure, is an improvement on the paltry N557 billion capital vote of 2015 that was not even implemented. Emphasis on Education (N483.66 billion), Health (N257.38 billion), Transportation (N215.79 billion) and Works, Power and Housing (N467.64 billion) reflects some seriousness in dealing with critical sectors, just as the N429.09 billion for defence and N498.45 billion for the Interior ministry reassure Nigerians that national security will receive priority.
We argue that the budget needs reworking based on the unrealistic $38 per barrel oil price benchmark and renewed sabotage of oil infrastructure. But the details in some heads and sub-heads are doubly distressing.
Where is the promised zero budgeting? Buhari, in echoing a promise by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, said this approach “ensures that resources are aligned with government’s priorities and allocated efficiently.” Details of the 2016 budget published on the website of the Budget Office of the Federal Government.
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Who is this new Queen of Nollywood called Genevieve Nene? Find out on http://www.genesisnollywood.blogspot.nl/2016/01/genevieve-nene-speak-out-i-dont-think-i.html?m=1
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FOR a government that projects change, the 2016 national budget proposals are in certain respects an outright mess. Its authors exhibited an unpardonable level of slothfulness, while President Muhammadu Buhari, who dutifully presented it, was inattentive. The proposals should be withdrawn and amended to remove the in-built waste, extravagance and fraud smuggled in by bureaucrats.
Buhari’s reputation for honesty, frugality and fiscal responsibility has taken a hit from the self-indulgence embedded in the proposals. How can a government of change justify spending N3.8 billion on the State House Medical Centre, over N1 billion on the purchase of vehicles and N89.17 million on canteen/kitchen equipment at a time of austerity and belt-tightening for the State House?
To be sure, the overall budget has noble intentions and targets. The N1.8 trillion, or about 30 per cent of the N6.08 trillion plan, set aside for capital expenditure, is an improvement on the paltry N557 billion capital vote of 2015 that was not even implemented. Emphasis on Education (N483.66 billion), Health (N257.38 billion), Transportation (N215.79 billion) and Works, Power and Housing (N467.64 billion) reflects some seriousness in dealing with critical sectors, just as the N429.09 billion for defence and N498.45 billion for the Interior ministry reassure Nigerians that national security will receive priority.
We argue that the budget needs reworking based on the unrealistic $38 per barrel oil price benchmark and renewed sabotage of oil infrastructure. But the details in some heads and sub-heads are doubly distressing.
Where is the promised zero budgeting? Buhari, in echoing a promise by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, said this approach “ensures that resources are aligned with government’s priorities and allocated efficiently.” Details of the 2016 budget published on the website of the Budget Office of the Federal Government.
Win 1 Million Naira Movie Contract http://www.genesisnollywood.blogspot.nl/2016/02/win-1-million-naira-movie-contracts.html?m=1
Who is NKECHI NWADIKE? http://www.genesisnollywood.blogspot.nl/2016/02/nkechi-nwadike-fast-rising-nollywood.html?m=1
Ladies Care For Your Sex Life http://www.genesisnollywood.blogspot.nl/2016/02/how-regular-sex-keeps-vagina-healthy.html?m=1
Will Chibok Girls Ever Come Back? http://www.genesisnollywood.blogspot.nl/2016/02/stop-lying-to-nigerians-ezekwesili.html?m=1
You MUST read this http://www.genesisnollywood.blogspot.nl/2016/01/7-surprising-things-that-makes-women.html?m=1
You remember the New Masquerade? If yes, you should remember Tony Akposheri. Click to get details http://www.genesisnollywood.blogspot.nl/2016/01/tony-akposheri-unveiled-urhobo-well.html?m=1
Who is this new Queen of Nollywood called Genevieve Nene? Find out on http://www.genesisnollywood.blogspot.nl/2016/01/genevieve-nene-speak-out-i-dont-think-i.html?m=1
And what is Anita Joseph up to? Find on http://www.genesisnollywood.blogspot.nl/2016/01/anita-joseph-nollywood-screen-goddess.html?m=1
Do you like Gist, Sport, Relationship & Celebrity Gossips? Do you want to be the first to know? Click HERE http://www.genesisnollywood.blogspot.com/ and http://www.genesisnollywood.blog.com/ to Subscribe. Please always make your comment, like us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/genesisnollywood and like our Page: Afe Theoz Ben Entertainment Network. Add us on BBM PIN: 287FA6E4 Send your stories and gist to genesisnollywood@yahoo.com. For advertisement on this blog, contact me on +2348035655009 @theophilusafe
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