BY AKPORHOBO TATAUNU
LAGOS FEBRUARY 29TH (URHOBOTODAY)-The matrices bound up with the 2016 and maiden budget of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration have not only lead to the hullabaloo and indeed the brow beating accompanying the budget, it has also prompt some Nigerians to recall the wishy-washy attitudes Nigerian democratically elected Presidents have always manage the annual budget’s rituals of the country. I categorically refer to elected Presidents because of their accountability and responsibility toga of their office as enshrined in the nations constitution.
But it is uncalled for. And don’t forget that this is Nigeria. Someone out there will pour out venom on a Presidency for the “unnecessary” delay and “padding” of the President Buhari’s maiden budget, forgetting that it is a ritual and routine process in Nigeria. But the president himself has commended his appointees in the national budget and planning as well as the finance ministry office counters parts. However, it has been a game of bulk-passing between the People’s Democratic Party, PDP and the All Progressives Congress, APC. Indeed it is a case of the pot calling the kettle black, and one would say with the manner the People’s Democratic Party’s PDP, apologists discussed the issue in the media. Are you speechless?
As it turns out to be, it was the effects of “the bulls in a china shop” who wickedly as usual once more have their way. Those actions were parts of erections of hurdles by the new opposition party which wanted to rule for 16 years. They were seeds sown and watered by the PDP in working against national interest.
In the NIGERIAN TRIBUNE OF MONDAY, 18 FEBRUARY, 2013, that is exactly three years ago, the “padding” of that years’ former President Goodluck Jonathan’s budget, was reported on page 2. In that news report, the idiosyncracies of officials of the government were laid bare. According to the report, DR. NWANZE OKIDEGBE, Chief Economic Adviser to (former) President Goodluck Jonathan explained that after the National Assembly passed the budget, a review by the Executive showed some grey areas; that the personnel cost was lower than what was submitted by the executive. While the overhead cost was higher than what was submitted, adding that “there were also re-allocations of capital subheads as well as adjustment of the SURE-P budget.” And it is time to cry for help but not hypocritically.
The above is a disclosure from a budget of former President Jonathan. So, why the hoas asout the President Buhari’s 2016 budget. In the previous administration, nobody sees anything wrong with the degree of ineptitude and corrupt tendency of the Civil Servants in those Ministries and departments charged with preparing our national budgets. It is not a justification of the weakness of the Presidency. PMB must be very watchful because the bulk stops in his table.
The problem has been with us and it was almost becoming a tradition in Nigeria’s financial and budgetary system. And one begins to ponder why this attitude is peculiar to the officials of the Federal level? Or is it a lets go arrangement at the State level? And I think Nigerians must be cautious over the budget of every tier of government in Nigeria. The budget is the live-wire of the nation for the year. It determines the economic and social conditions of the people and Nigerians cannot be naïve over such an important document and matrix.
And it has been made clear that the much talked about “budget padding” of President Buhari’s administration has been with us. Besides, the National Assembly needs to be commended for their eagle-eye which has nipped in the bud the exploits of the “rats” in the concerned ministries and departments.
Sometimes, it is very necessary to have a second look at issues with patriotic consciousness, not politically driven spirit in approaching challenges that will negatively affect our common interest as Nigerians.
Therefore, in spite of the independence and superiority ego of the civil servants involved in the budget preparation, ministers and other government appointees must always be vigilant in such times as during the preparation of the national budgets, recognizing the very importance attached to it. Otherwise, respect accorded Directors and Permanent Secretaries as financial managers of the various Ministries, departments and agencies require a cursory look especially now that they have created a cocoon in corrupting and stealing the nation dry. Every leprosy finger involved in the “padding” of the budget must not go scot-free, no matter whose ox is gored. The Independent and Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC, must be guided and involved in the preparation of the budget in a surveillance and supportive role.
Vitally important too is the need to discard the idea of greasing the palms of NASS members in order to pass the budget instead of performing of their roles as monitoring organs of check and balances of procedures of the government financial activities.
In a nutshell, the hullabaloo and the brow beating of the PMB occasioned by the allegations of tampering with the 2016 budget, seems to be over emphasized. It actually needs the patriotic treatment of all Nigerians. But the point-men of the President failed in their responsibilities as the “padded budget” escapes their attention.
Chief Akporhobo .Y. Tataunu A frenance Journalist and Public Affairs Commentator. Akporhobota26@gmail.com