The Federal Government’s Budget for 2023 has become a subject of controversy due to the Allocation of Funds.
A fiscal Policy Advocate Group has pointed out that the amount designated for Installing Streetlights exceeds the combined Allocation for Education and Primary Health Centers by 4.9 percent.
In a Report Submitted by BudgIT Nigeria, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), It was revealed that an Excessive sum of N81.7 Billion has been set aside for the Construction of Solar Streetlights in the 2023 Budget.
Surprisingly, this Allocation surpasses the total Funds allocated to schools and primary health centers, which amount to N77.9 Billion and N3.1 Billion respectively.
This disproportionate distribution of Funds raises concerns about the Government’s Resource Prioritization.
It is important to note that many existing Street-lights have become Non-functional and Vandalized within just two years of their Construction, further highlighting the misplacement of Priorities.
BudgIT Nigeria’s Analysis has uncovered several Irregularities in the Allocation of Funds to various Agencies.
More than 687 projects worth N112 Billion have been assigned to Agencies beyond their Mandated Scope.
For example, the Nigerian Army has received an Allocation of N4.5 Billion for the Construction of the Dengi-Kwalmiya-Gagdi-Wawus Bauchi Road in Plateau State, which falls outside its usual responsibilities.
Similarly, the Nigerian Institute of Oceanography and Marine Research has been allocated N1.2 billion across four Projects to Supply Medical equipment to Health centers in Ogun State.
Furthermore, N580 million has been designated for the National Root Crops Research Institute, Umudike, for the Construction of Roads and street lights in Abia State, among other questionable Allocations.
This year, there has been a Noticeable 21% reduction in the Percentage of Funds allocated to Empowerment Projects compared to the previous year.
