- Kicks Against Allocations to N/Assembly Projects
By Ken Afor
Mr Peter Obi, a former Anambra State governor and the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, has sounded a stern warning about the 2024 federal budget, citing grave concerns over alleged inappropriate distribution of funds and priorities reflected the budget.
In a strongly-worded statement released on his X account on Tuesday, Obi vowed to remain “persistent” in expressing his “deep concern” about the budget until the end of the year, deeming it a “matter of patriotic engagement” due to its “critical importance” for Nigerian citizens, especially the poor.
The Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 presidential elections lamented that elements of the budget appear to be out of sync with the nation’s present realities, urging a comprehensive review and reallocation of resources to high-priority areas of need. He contended that some budgeted expenditure are alarmingly skewed toward self-serving interests rather than addressing the welfare of ordinary Nigerians.
He said: “This is because the many negatives of the budget have far-reaching implications for the development of our dear nation and the well-being of our citizens. It is evident that there are items in the budget that do not align with our current circumstances, and it is imperative to call for a review and appropriate virement. Allocating our scarce resources to high-priority areas of need is essential for the well-being of the nation.”
A major point of criticism was the N15 billion allocation solely for the National Assembly hospital, a figure Obi described as “unacceptable” as it exceeds five times the budget for the National Hospital in Abuja or the combined capital expenditure for Nigeria’s six premier teaching hospitals.
“For instance, allocating N15 billion solely for the National Assembly hospital is unacceptable, especially when it exceeds five times the budgetary allocation to The National Hospital or the combined capital vote of our six major teaching hospitals across the nation, namely; University College Hospital, Ibadan; University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu; Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria; Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife; Jos University Teaching Hospital and University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital.
This disparity reflects a low level of care for the rest of society,” Obi asserted.
The former governor also took a swipe at a N15.3 billion reportedly earmarked for a new National Assembly library and book procurement, including an e-library component. He found it “very disappointing” that such a sum would be allotted in a nation still lacking a National Library after 20 years of ongoing construction that has received less than N1 billion in the 2024 budget.
“Similarly, justifying a budgetary allocation of N15.3 billion for the National Assembly library project and procurement of books, including the e-Library, in a country without a National Library is very disappointing.
“The National Library has been under construction for the past 20 years, and its budgetary allocation for 2024 is less than 1B Naira, which makes the National Assembly Library budget 15 times more.
“Again the National Assembly Library budget is more than the combined budget of the top national universities’ libraries that desperately need the Libraries for research, teaching and learning purposes,” he added.
Obi further decried N10 billion provisioned for new Senate and House of Representatives parking facilities and a recreation center for federal lawmakers, while entities like the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation received scanter funding.
“In an era where science, technology and innovation are crucial for the nation’s future, such allocations demonstrate a lack of foresight and basic awareness of global trends and urgent national priorities,” he admonished.
Labeling the perceived misalignment of budgetary priorities as “insensitive” to the prevailing economic situation, Obi urged Nigeria to “reassess its priorities, revisit the budget, eliminate frivolous expenditures and channel our resources properly for the benefit of the people.”
He concluded with an ominous warning: “No great nation is built on a foundation of waste and frivolity.”
