By Shakirudeen Bankole
The federal government has said the 2021 Appropriation Budget was deliberately formulated to uplift many Nigerians out of the dungeon of economic hopelessness.
The Director-general of the Budget Office, Ben Akabueze, while speaking on Channels Television Sunrise Daily, Thursday, said the government was not only worried about the level of poverty in the country, but it was making frantic efforts to alleviate it.
He said the 2020 Budget was specifically designed to restore hope and set the people on the path of economic stability and growth, until the outbreak of COVID 19 pandemic.
The former Lagos State Commissioner for Finance lamented that the subsequent lockdown, and it’s crippling effects on the economic has further impoverished Nigerians, and threw the country fragile economy into a deep recession.
According to him, in order to address these emergencies, the government has intensified efforts in enduring improved budget performance for the last quarter of the going calendar.
“As a sign of commitment to addressing this challenges, the government is working hard on the economy front. And the result is showing some positives. This includes the steady improvement recorded in the budget performance. It was 25% for second quarter, 26% for third quarter, and it is projected to be 27% for the fourth and last quarter,” Akabueze said.
He however admonished the ministeries and agencies responsible for the implementation of the budget to intensify their efforts on ensuring that projects are delivered within the year’s timeline.
He said this was important as all indications are pointing towards a possibility that the 2021 budget may kick-start the very first day of the calendar year.
“And that would automatically put a halt to the implementation of the 2020 budget and all unspent money returned to the government covers. So, it is important that we deliver and within the stated timeframe,” he added.
