THE book of John 1: 45 -47 where Jesus called Philip and Nathaniel
ia a fascination as Nigerians continue to ponder over the massive
looting of the nation’s common heritage by politically exposed
persons. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s Investigations
into the Office of the National Security Adviser to former President
Goodluck Jonathan has revealed a can of worms beyond the $2.1 billion
that one office alone misappropriated.
Nigerians are still wondering how other offices such as the Oil and
Gas industry, the Nigerian Ports Authority, the Federal Island Revenue
Service would have been operated during the 16 years reign of the
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Many Nigerians and friends of Nigeria
believe that the problem of the country is corruption and they are all
dead right! If corruption is brought down by 60 percent, then Nigeria
would be a better place.
Today, much of the nation’s fortunes are in the hands of very few
people who are politically exposed or their cronies. People who have
amassed stupendous wealth from our common patrimony for their personal
enrichment. I am tempted to begin to find a leeway out of the current
war on graft from the scriptures and of course, as it is often said,
the scriptures can never lie. According to John 1: 45-47, Philip found
Nathanael and said to him, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the Law
and also the Prophets wrote— Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”
Nathanael said to him, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” Philip
said to him, “Come and see.” Jesus saw Nathanael coming to Him, and
said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!”…
It is important to understand why my going scriptural in this
treatise. This tendency is nothing new; it went on in first century
Israel as well. People would be judged based on whether they grew up in
Judea, Samaria, or Galilee (cf. Acts 2:7), whether in more urbanized
areas or more rural areas. And, then as now, the more remote and less
urban the location, the more likely people were to look down on those
who came from there.
So it is with Nazareth in Galilee. Galilee itself was seen as remote,
away from the epicenter of Judaism in Jerusalem, not known for
erudition or much civilization. Within Galilee itself, Nazareth barely
registers, receiving no mention from Jewish sources before the third
century of our era. This insignificance led some skeptics to doubt
whether Nazareth existed at all in the first century CE, but
archaeological evidence does indicate the place was inhabited. It is now
believed that Nazareth was a village of no more than 500 in the days
when Jesus grew up there. Nazareth is about 16 miles southwest of the
Sea of Galilee; it is not near the Mediterranean Sea and would not be on
a lot of travel routes. It is evident why Nazareth would easily be
despised in the eyes of others: it is in the backwoods or out in the
sticks, a small village. In the eyes of more educated and urban Jews,
the Nazarenes would have been judged as ignorant at best and perhaps as
simple-minded sinners at worst.
As a member of the All Progressives Congress, I have always kicked
the ass of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) because of their childish
and alarmist form of opposition. But for the very first time, like it
was in Galilee and Judea, I see sense in the position canvassed by the
PDP. Recently, The leadership of the party reiterated its support for
an honest, holistic and total war against corruption and demanded the
trial and prosecution of all those involved, including those who may
have returned ‘loots’ to the government. The party called for the
establishment of a National Truth Commission to receive loot from all
those who emptied the nation’s treasury. It also said they are
completely against any one-sided public trial and mob conviction of
accused persons without following the age-long and worldwide legal
process wherein all accused persons are presumed innocent until the
contrary is lawfully proved and I completely agree with them. In my
considered opinion, something good has, for once come out from the PDP.
I fully subscribe to the call for the setting up of a National Truth
Commission as a more holistic way to tackle the mind-boggling corruption
that has destroyed Nigeria and its image for a couple of reasons.
The National Truth Commission if constituted would set a timeline
and a deadline for all those who looted the nation’s treasury to return
all what they looted, which from all estimations, run into hundreds of
billions of dollars, amount enough to repair the country within the next
ten years. All those who will respond within the timeline would be
pardoned and advised to go and sin no more.
At the expiration of the deadline, which will be about three months
period, and may be a grace period of two weeks, all those who refuse to
return their loot should then be traced, tracked and made to face the
full weight of the law irrespective of whatever office they occupy in
the land, irrespective of their status, and irrespective of their
political or ethnic leaning. They should be made on final conviction,
perhaps at the supreme court to forfeit all their loot and proceeds of
their criminal actions and be given the maximum jail sentence to deter
future political leaders from corruption.
A a non-partisan approach must be adopted to deal with corruption
in the land. It is an imperative for President Buhari to constitute the
National truth commission to be made up of Nigerians of impeccable
character to take on this important national task.
Depending solely on our cumbersome legal processes and criminal
justice system will not be sufficient to tackle the problem of
corruption in the land.
The suggestion of a national truth commission provides a veritable alternative to our long, and arduous criminal justice system.
Finally, the EFCC, ICCP and other anti-graft institutions need to be
strengthened urgently to ensure more credible investigations and
prosecution of suspects who would not want to take advantage of the
truth commission to return their loot for national development.
Dan Owegie is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Edo State.
Wednesday, 23 December 2015
Nigeria’s first ever stage musical, Kakadu returns to Lagos
Internationally acclaimed Stage musical, Kakadu will be showing in
Lagos this holiday season. It will be showing at the Agip Recital hall,
Muson center on the 29th and 30th 2015, and from the 1st to the 3rd of
January 2016.
Kakadu the Musical shares the story of a famous Lagos nightclub in the sixties as a backdrop for an era, which brought about wonderful music and the distinctive social life that followed the birthing of a young nation.
Written
and produced by Uche Nwokedi SAN, the aspiring and intimate play tells,
the story of Nigeria as a country on stage and in motion. It shares the
story of Love, friendship and survival in spite of the way society
discriminates against background and tribe.
Running for the 12th time since inception in 2013, Kakadu the Musical introduces a practically brand new cast, some of who are Young and new acts.
Kakadu the musical which, is internationally acclaimed, has become Nigeria’s major export of creative arts as the stage musical represented Nigeria at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland in 2014.
Kakadu has received awards like “Most Outstanding Total Stage Performance for 2013 and it was
Voted No 1 on Top 5 countdown of the most outstanding plays.” On Jara, a popular M-net Magazine programme.
The 39- Man cast will feature appearances from Notable faces like Benneth Ogbeiwi, Kemi-lala Akindoju, Nobert Young, Tina Mba and others.
Kakadu the Musical shares the story of a famous Lagos nightclub in the sixties as a backdrop for an era, which brought about wonderful music and the distinctive social life that followed the birthing of a young nation.
Written
and produced by Uche Nwokedi SAN, the aspiring and intimate play tells,
the story of Nigeria as a country on stage and in motion. It shares the
story of Love, friendship and survival in spite of the way society
discriminates against background and tribe.Running for the 12th time since inception in 2013, Kakadu the Musical introduces a practically brand new cast, some of who are Young and new acts.
Kakadu the musical which, is internationally acclaimed, has become Nigeria’s major export of creative arts as the stage musical represented Nigeria at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland in 2014.
Kakadu has received awards like “Most Outstanding Total Stage Performance for 2013 and it was
Voted No 1 on Top 5 countdown of the most outstanding plays.” On Jara, a popular M-net Magazine programme.
The 39- Man cast will feature appearances from Notable faces like Benneth Ogbeiwi, Kemi-lala Akindoju, Nobert Young, Tina Mba and others.
Lagos lawyer’s secretary bolts with N118,000
A Lagos lawyer’s secretary, Gbenga Akindele, who allegedly bolted with his employer’s N118, 000, was on Wednesday charged before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court.
The 21-year-old, who lives at Agege in Lagos, is facing a charge of stealing.
According to the prosecutor, Insp. Ezekiel Ayorinde, the accused committed the offence on Dec. 17 at Tabon-Tabon in Agege.
He said Akindele, who was working as the secretary in the chambers of Mr Rotimi Akomolafe, was asked to pay some money into his employer’s account at First Bank but converted the money to personal use.
“Gbenga was sent to make payment of N79, 000 and N39, 000 into two different accounts at First Bank belonging to Akomolafe and Oluwakemi Adeniyi.
“He, however, converted the money to personal use,” Ayorinde said.
The offence violated Section 278 (f) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
The accused pleaded not guilty.
Ruling on the bail application of the accused, the Magistrate, Mrs O.J. Awope, granted him bail in the sum of N50, 000 with two sureties in like sum.
The case was adjourned to Jan. 13, 2016 for mention.
According to the prosecutor, Insp. Ezekiel Ayorinde, the accused committed the offence on Dec. 17 at Tabon-Tabon in Agege.
He said Akindele, who was working as the secretary in the chambers of Mr Rotimi Akomolafe, was asked to pay some money into his employer’s account at First Bank but converted the money to personal use.
“Gbenga was sent to make payment of N79, 000 and N39, 000 into two different accounts at First Bank belonging to Akomolafe and Oluwakemi Adeniyi.
“He, however, converted the money to personal use,” Ayorinde said.
The offence violated Section 278 (f) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
The accused pleaded not guilty.
Ruling on the bail application of the accused, the Magistrate, Mrs O.J. Awope, granted him bail in the sum of N50, 000 with two sureties in like sum.
The case was adjourned to Jan. 13, 2016 for mention.
Nigeria triples investment in 2016 budget
Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari unveiled Tuesday a budget that triples investment spending in a bid to stimulate growth and lower the dependence of Africa’s largest economy on oil.
5 things Nigerian girls want for Christmas
Black girls are often regarded as the most beautiful and
intelligent group of women in the world. Although every lady has a
unique taste, there are certain things each one of them crave and will
not hesitate to include on their secret Santa list. Jovago.com, Africa’s No. 1 online hotel booking portal has
put together a list items Nigerian girls want for Christmas in the hope
that you get the clue and have a couple of laughs as you read on.
A great food processor
Although many comedians and tabloids have tried to portray
Nigerian girls as fast-food lovers, the truth is that they love to
cook!
With the modern technology making cooking easier and
faster, the average Nigerian girl has a food machine on their ‘Santa’s
list’. Get her a food processor with several blades and functions, and
you are on your way to stealing her heart.
Husband
This applies to the single girl. African women are raised
to be homely and family-oriented, and so a majority of them who are
above 25 and yet unmarried have the intense longing for a husband with
whom they can start a family with.
While most of them will never admit it, a glance on their
wishlist will reveal snagging a “husband” as Number 1. If you are dating
a Nigerian girl, this Christmas might just be the best time to propose
to her, that way you help both Santa and yourself. Also, if you are a
single brother, ready for marriage and searching for your ‘missing
rib’…go find a sister and propose.
Gym membership
Keeping fit and looking trim is the new trend for Nigerian
girls, especially those in Lagos, and so, a majority of them are saving
their hard earned registered in gym – the idea basically is to look
like most of the celebrities.
Unfortunately, not all gyms offer great services and those
who are unable to gain gym membership at the top sweatshops where they
can get great work out, keep wishing for membership. They hope that
somehow, Santa will touch someone to get them registered in one of the
gyms, and for free too.
An unlimited cash account
Forget Nigerian girls, every single human in the country
and the world would do almost anything for an unlimited expense account.
Shoes, clothes, hair, spa time…they all cost money, and usually, for
the average lady, it is a bit of a challenge getting everything you need
to stay on top of the fashion game.
Also with an unlimited expense account, it would easy to
set up dream businesses and live an organized life. While they know
there is a slim chance of this wish coming true, these girls still
include it on their list in faith.
Calorie- Free Alcohol
Christmas is a time for merriment and celebration. And
truth be told, there is no party without alcohol! Unfortunately,
drinking every night at the festivities is all fun and games until it is
January and you look less like Toke Makinwa and more like Lepacious
Bose.
Alcohol in some way, tends to add fat to the thighs, belly
and arms. So, some girls who believe they can eat their cake and have
it now want calorie-free alcohol. Let’s hope Santa has something in
store.
A time for courage or circumspection
LET’S begin with Ejike Camillus Mbaka. He’s a friend of mine. This
Catholic priest and head of Adoration Ministries Enugu Nigeria (AMEN) is
truly a man of God, a dogged fighter for the downtrodden. But he’s also
a politician – in the sense that his pulpit doubles as a soapbox. On
virtually every public development, he takes a position, and he voices
it without fear or favour.
This dual disposition inevitably challenges the perception, and often influences the judgments, of those who react to his actions and pronouncements. For uncomplicated work, therefore, Mbaka assessors require to consciously delineate the man’s spirituality from his politics.
Reverend Father Mbaka prophesied that President Jonathan would lose the March presidential ballot. He was excoriated. But it came to pass. He was in tune with the Holy Spirit. I, without the gift of prophecy, also knew that President Jonathan was headed for defeat.
I knew that two whole years before the ballot, and I warned at least ten prominent people associated with Jonathan and the PDP, all of who are still alive today, and none of who saw the point of critical remedial actions. Jonathan failed because there was no MOUTH to his presidency. Jonathan also failed because any presidential election will go the way taken by any two of the tripod of national politics. All this is by way of introduction.
If I found the means to be in the South East this Christmas, I should meet up with Father Mbaka, and broach conversation with this opening salvo: “The Holy Spirit cannot have decreed the indiscriminate shootings of unarmed pro-Biafran demonstrators in Onitsha.” I was in Biafra; Mbaka wasn’t. Biafra was a free-bombing site.
Markets, churches, hospitals, refugee camps and every cluster of people were legitimate targets for indiscriminate bombing and strafing by Nigerian warplanes, resulting in the weekly extermination of countless thousands. Now again, and nearly 50 years later, Biafrans are being shot and killed at random and without provocation by those officially invested with the primary responsibility of their protection. Why might any man of God not pronounce anathema on the aberration?
There are others whose inertia in the face of the burgeoning franchise of a “cold and iron age” I would love to challenge. Where is Wole Soyinka, the cautious endorser of Candidate Buhari? Half a century ago, Soyinka was one of the few – another was the late Tai Solarin – who, against the grain of mob hysteria, opposed the anti-Igbo pogrom that cost some 50,000 lives and led up to the civil war. Soyinka was among the first to raise hell over the October 7, 1967 massacre of over 500 Igbo men Asaba. Soyinka is the one who pronounced that, “Justice is the first condition of humanity.” Dear Soyinka, soldiers paid with Nigeria’s money, soldiers on oath to protect the citizenry, have converted most of Onitsha into a concentration camp.
Anyone that happens around the military is ordered to raise their hands in surrender. They are harassed and extorted. All these have video authentication. Two weeks ago, a young man reportedly asked why his hands should hang in the air when he was not a slave. Gun butts! Boots!! Whiplashes!!! “Kill me on account of Biafra,” the young man insisted. “But I’m not raising my hands for nobody.” What became of the man? What does this portend? Where are the voices of conscience?
There are award-winning writers like Niyi Osundare, Ben Okri and Chimamanda Adichie, and many others angling for their own awards. These are progressive chroniclers of the movement of transition, who didn’t give a damn what part of the country their president was elected from! Where is their courage? Where is their conscience? Can these have been substituted with circumspection or convenience?
If they deafened everyone with uncharacteristic muteness, does it not align their worldviews with Olusegun Obasanjo’s, the despotic tyrant under whose watch thousands of Nigerians were criminally wiped off the face of the earth? If this class of Nigerians suddenly quit commenting and poetizing against injustice, would it be because some oracle secretly revealed to them that what went around no longer came around? Would it be because the man no longer died in all who kept silent in the face of tyranny?
President Buhari praised Father Mbaka for his “honesty” and “exemplary courage” when they met in Aso Rock last week. But, in all of Nigeria, honesty and justice cannot reside in just one priest. There was a Shi’a demonstration in Zaria on which reputable human rights organizations posted the slaughter of about 1000 by the Army! Videos exist of the killing spree, and of the futile attempts at covering up the unspeakable crime in mass graves. Videos also exist of the two waves of the Onitsha massacres, the second one activated merely by jollification on the (false) news that Nnamdi Kanu had regained his freedom.
The bodies of those shot in Onitsha, and those hospitalised, from this second wave were seized by their assailants and taken to unknown destinations. The conscientious shouldn’t pretend sleepiness under this sadistic canopy. These sordid developments beckon – not on politicians heavily clothed in the shameless nakedness of vice and avarice – but on the rest of humane society, to rise and stand firm on the side of democracy and justice.
This dual disposition inevitably challenges the perception, and often influences the judgments, of those who react to his actions and pronouncements. For uncomplicated work, therefore, Mbaka assessors require to consciously delineate the man’s spirituality from his politics.
Reverend Father Mbaka prophesied that President Jonathan would lose the March presidential ballot. He was excoriated. But it came to pass. He was in tune with the Holy Spirit. I, without the gift of prophecy, also knew that President Jonathan was headed for defeat.
I knew that two whole years before the ballot, and I warned at least ten prominent people associated with Jonathan and the PDP, all of who are still alive today, and none of who saw the point of critical remedial actions. Jonathan failed because there was no MOUTH to his presidency. Jonathan also failed because any presidential election will go the way taken by any two of the tripod of national politics. All this is by way of introduction.
If I found the means to be in the South East this Christmas, I should meet up with Father Mbaka, and broach conversation with this opening salvo: “The Holy Spirit cannot have decreed the indiscriminate shootings of unarmed pro-Biafran demonstrators in Onitsha.” I was in Biafra; Mbaka wasn’t. Biafra was a free-bombing site.
Markets, churches, hospitals, refugee camps and every cluster of people were legitimate targets for indiscriminate bombing and strafing by Nigerian warplanes, resulting in the weekly extermination of countless thousands. Now again, and nearly 50 years later, Biafrans are being shot and killed at random and without provocation by those officially invested with the primary responsibility of their protection. Why might any man of God not pronounce anathema on the aberration?
There are others whose inertia in the face of the burgeoning franchise of a “cold and iron age” I would love to challenge. Where is Wole Soyinka, the cautious endorser of Candidate Buhari? Half a century ago, Soyinka was one of the few – another was the late Tai Solarin – who, against the grain of mob hysteria, opposed the anti-Igbo pogrom that cost some 50,000 lives and led up to the civil war. Soyinka was among the first to raise hell over the October 7, 1967 massacre of over 500 Igbo men Asaba. Soyinka is the one who pronounced that, “Justice is the first condition of humanity.” Dear Soyinka, soldiers paid with Nigeria’s money, soldiers on oath to protect the citizenry, have converted most of Onitsha into a concentration camp.
Anyone that happens around the military is ordered to raise their hands in surrender. They are harassed and extorted. All these have video authentication. Two weeks ago, a young man reportedly asked why his hands should hang in the air when he was not a slave. Gun butts! Boots!! Whiplashes!!! “Kill me on account of Biafra,” the young man insisted. “But I’m not raising my hands for nobody.” What became of the man? What does this portend? Where are the voices of conscience?
There are award-winning writers like Niyi Osundare, Ben Okri and Chimamanda Adichie, and many others angling for their own awards. These are progressive chroniclers of the movement of transition, who didn’t give a damn what part of the country their president was elected from! Where is their courage? Where is their conscience? Can these have been substituted with circumspection or convenience?
If they deafened everyone with uncharacteristic muteness, does it not align their worldviews with Olusegun Obasanjo’s, the despotic tyrant under whose watch thousands of Nigerians were criminally wiped off the face of the earth? If this class of Nigerians suddenly quit commenting and poetizing against injustice, would it be because some oracle secretly revealed to them that what went around no longer came around? Would it be because the man no longer died in all who kept silent in the face of tyranny?
President Buhari praised Father Mbaka for his “honesty” and “exemplary courage” when they met in Aso Rock last week. But, in all of Nigeria, honesty and justice cannot reside in just one priest. There was a Shi’a demonstration in Zaria on which reputable human rights organizations posted the slaughter of about 1000 by the Army! Videos exist of the killing spree, and of the futile attempts at covering up the unspeakable crime in mass graves. Videos also exist of the two waves of the Onitsha massacres, the second one activated merely by jollification on the (false) news that Nnamdi Kanu had regained his freedom.
The bodies of those shot in Onitsha, and those hospitalised, from this second wave were seized by their assailants and taken to unknown destinations. The conscientious shouldn’t pretend sleepiness under this sadistic canopy. These sordid developments beckon – not on politicians heavily clothed in the shameless nakedness of vice and avarice – but on the rest of humane society, to rise and stand firm on the side of democracy and justice.
Budget 2016’ll revive economy, says Buhari
By Henry Umoru, Emma Ovuakporie & Johnbosco Agbakwuru
ABUJA—PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, apologised to Nigerians over the persistent and biting fuel scarcity in the country and attributed the problem to market speculators and stakeholders who are resistant to change. He assured that the government was working hard to end the shortages urgently.
President Buhari who begged Nigerians while presenting the N6.08 trillion 2016 budget to a joint session of the National Assembly, said the government has not increased fuel price and that the pump price of fuel remains N87 per litre.
Buhari arrived the Chambers at 10.01am. Apologizing to Nigerians for
the pains occasioned by the continued fuel scarcity across the country,
he said: “The current fuel scarcity with long queues at petrol stations
all over the country causing social dislocation is very unfortunate.
Government profoundly apologizes to Nigerians for this prolonged
hardship and misery. It is as a result of market speculators and
resistance to change by some stakeholders. Government is working very
hard to end these shortages and bring fuel to the pumps all over the
country.”
Meanwhile, the Senate, yesterday, amended the Appropriation Act of 2015 to extend implementation of 2015 budget from December 31, 2015 to March 31, 2016.
The President who started his address at 10.17am and ended it at 10.51 am, disclosed that 30 per cent of Nigeria’s annual budget will be committed to capital expenditure, even as he raised Capital Expenditure from N557 billion in 2015 to N1.8 trillion in the 2016 budget.
Having reviewed the trends in the global oil industry, he said the government decided to set a benchmark price of $38 per barrel and a production estimate of 2.2 million barrels per day for 2016, with plans to focus on non-oil revenues by broadening the tax base and improving the effectiveness of revenue collecting agencies. The government is projecting to realise N1.4 trillion as non-oil revenue.
President Buhari, who noted that the present administration projected a revenue target of N3.86 trillion for 2016 and recurrent expenditure of N2.43 trillion, said that the Federal Government also proposed to spend N1.66 trillion on foreign and domestic debt servicing.
The President also declared that his administration would fight corruption no matter how long it takes.
To borrow N1.9 trillion
In the budget, there is a projected foreign and domestic borrowing of N900 billion and N986 billion respectively.
On recurrent sectoral allocations, Education received the highest recurrent vote of N369 billion; followed by Health, N296 billion; Defence, N294 billion; Ministry of Interior, N245 billion while the merged ministries of Power, Works and Housing received budgetary allocation of N433 billion for 2016.
The speech read in part: “The Budget was based on a benchmark oil price of $53 per barrel, oil production of 2.28 million barrels per day and an exchange rate of N190 to the US$.
“The projected revenue was N3.45 trillion, with an outlay of N4.49 trillion, implying a deficit of N1.04 trillion. Due largely to under-provisioning by the previous administration for fuel subsidy and the costs required to support the military operations in the North East, the Government had to obtain National Assembly’s approval for a supplementary budget of N575.5 billion. I take this opportunity to thank all members of the National Assembly for the prompt passage of that Bill.
“To deliver our development objectives, we have increased the capital expenditure portion of the budget from N557 billion in the 2015 budget to N1.8 trillion, in the 2016 budget. Distinguished and honourable members of the National Assembly, for the first time in many years, capital expenditure will represent 30 per cent of our total budget. In future years, we intend to raise the percentage allocation for capital expenditure.
“This is a fulfillment of our promise to align expenditure to our long-term objectives, and a sign of government’s commitment to sustainable development. This increased capital expenditure commits significant resources to critical sectors such as Works, Power and Housing – N433.4 billion; Transport – N202 billion; Special Intervention Programs – N200 billion; Defence – N134.6 billion; and Interior – N145.3 billion. These investments in infrastructure and security are meant to support our reforms in the Agriculture, Solid Minerals and other core job creating sectors of our economy.
“We will invest to safeguard lives and property. We will invest in equipping our farmers with the right tools, technology and techniques. We will invest in empowering and enabling our miners to operate in a safe, secure and humane environment. We will invest in training our youths, through the revival of our technical and vocational institutions, to ensure they are competent enough to seize the opportunities that will arise from this economic revival.
“Indeed, the future looks bright. And I ask that we all work together to make this vision a reality. The 223 per cent year on year growth in capital expenditure demonstrates our desire to make Nigeria more competitive, and start the journey to deliver sustainable development in our country.
“In fulfillment of our promise to run a lean government, we have proposed a nine per cent reduction in non-debt recurrent expenditure, from N2.59 trillion in the 2015 Budget to N2.35 trillion in 2016. Furthermore, we have budgeted N300 billion for Special Intervention Programmes, which takes the total amount for non-debt recurrent expenditure to N2.65 trillion.
Reduces overhead cost
“The Efficiency Unit set up by this Administration together with effective implementation of GIFMIS and IPPIS will drive a reduction of overheads by at least seven per cent, personnel costs by eight per cent and other service wide votes by 19 per cent. Distinguished and honourable members, this budget will be executed to provide optimum value by ensuring every naira spent by this Government, counts.
“We will devote a significant portion of our recurrent expenditure to institutions that provide critical government services. We will spend N369.6 billion in Education; N294.5 billion in Defence; N221.7 billion in Health and N145.3 billion in the Ministry of Interior. This will ensure our teachers, armed forces personnel, doctors, nurses, police men, fire fighters, prison service officers and many more critical service providers are paid competitively and on time.
“Our 2016 borrowings will be principally directed to fund our capital projects. Furthermore, the sum of N113 billion will be set aside for a Sinking Fund towards the retirement of maturing loans; while N1.36 trillion has been provided for foreign and domestic debt service. This calls for prudent management on our part, both of the debt portfolio and the deployment of our hard earned foreign exchange earnings.”
Buhari who noted that government was aware of the harsh economic situation presently being faced by Nigerians, however, blamed the situation on unbridled corruption and security challenges, adding: “We have demonstrated a strong will to fight corruption. I am sure you will agree that the sheer scale of corruption and impunity of the past explains in part, the economic challenges we now face. On these initiatives, and the many more to come, we shall not be deterred. We will pursue the recovery of everything that belongs to the people of Nigeria. No matter where it is hidden. No matter how long it will take.”
President Buhari assured Nigerians that his administration was poised to rebuilding the economy and restoring public confidence in the government. He said although the nation has series of problems to contend with, the challenges were not beyond the country to tackle, adding that the 2016 budget was designed to stimulate the economy and make it more competitive, while focusing on infrastructural development; delivering inclusive growth and prioritizing the welfare of Nigerians.
Buhari also assured that the budget would address problems associated with youth unemployment and general poverty in the land, with particular emphasis on the deplorable conditions of most vulnerable Nigerians, adding, “I know the state of our economy is a source of concern for many. This has been further worsened by the unbridled corruption and security challenges we have faced in the last few years.
“From those who have lost their jobs, to those young people who have never had a job, to the people in the North East whose families and businesses were destroyed by insurgents, this has been a difficult period in our nation’s history, lessons that we must not forget or ignore, as we plan for the future.
“By June 2014, oil prices averaged $112 per barrel. But as at today, the price is under $39 per barrel. This huge decline is having a painful effect on our economy. Consumption has declined at all levels. In both the private and public sectors, employers have struggled to meet their salary and other employee related obligations. The small business owners and traders have been particularly hard hit by this state of affairs.
“Fellow Nigerians, the confidence of many might be shaken. However, I stand before you today promising that we will secure our country, rebuild our economy, and make the Federal Republic of Nigeria stronger than it has ever been.
“The answers to our problems are not beyond us. They exist on our farmlands; our corporations; in the universities in the hearts and minds of our entrepreneurs; through the gallantry of our Armed Forces; and the resolute spirit of Nigerians, especially the youth, who have refused to give up despite all the obstacles confronting them.
“This Budget proposal, the first by our Government, seeks to stimulate the economy, making it more competitive by focusing on infrastructural development; delivering inclusive growth; and prioritizing the welfare of Nigerians.
“We believe that this budget, while helping industry, commerce and investment to pick up, will as a matter of urgency, address the immediate problems of youth unemployment and the terrible living conditions of the extremely poor and vulnerable Nigerians”.
The President who reiterated that the administration would diversify the economy through import substitution and export promotion, said that such economic strategy would build resilience in the economy and guarantee that the contemporary challenges did not confront the nation’s future generations, adding, “In the medium to longer term, we remain committed to economic diversification through import substitution and export promotion. This will build resilience in our economy. It will guarantee that the problems we have today, will not confront our children and their children. This shall be our legacy for generations to come”, he stated.
According to him, despite the general global economic downturn in 2015, Nigerian economy was able to grow by 2.84 per cent in the subsisting fiscal year, just as he promised that the present administration would continue to evolve and implement strategies that would maintain micro-economic stability, while managing the oil price shocks currently aching the country.
He said: “Today, it is widely acknowledged that the global economy has slowed down. This is particularly the case with emerging markets such as Nigeria. However, despite the weak emerging market growth rates, our domestic security challenges, declining oil prices, and the attendant difficulties in providing foreign exchange to meet market demands, the Nigerian economy grew by 2.84 per cent in the third quarter of 2015. We have, and will continue to implement strategies that will maintain macroeconomic stability and manage the oil price shocks we are experiencing.”
President Buhari was accompanied by All Progressives Congress, APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie- Oyegun; his ministers including Rotimi Amaechi; Senator Chris Ngige; Senator Udoma Udo Udoma; Dr. Kayode Fayemi; Chief Audu Ogbeh; Ogbonnaya Onu; Dr. Osagie Ehanire; Lt.Gen. Abduulrahman Dambazau; Alhaji Lai Mohammed; Amina Ibrahim Mohammed; Babatunde Raji Fashola; Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu; Abubakar Malami, SAN; Senator Aisha Jummai Alhassan; and Mrs Kemi Adeosun among others.
During his presentation, President Buhari got encomiums from the gallery as they clapped 20 times with the last one at 10.52am and even when the President paused to drink water at 10.36am, the audience also clapped for him.
Buhari’s Budget a big fraud, he will mortgage Nigeria’s future — PDP
Meanwhile, the National leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, picked holes in the budget..
In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, the party described the N6.08 trillion budget as a big fraud and executive conspiracy tailored towards mortgaging the future of the nation.
The party while querying President Buhari’s decision to borrow N2 trillion, which it termed the biggest in the history of the nation, said that it was the height of recklessness and deceit from a government that trends on propaganda. PDP also berated the Federal Government for trying to use its bogus welfare programme and phantom capital projects as cover and conduit to siphon the funds to satisfy partisan interests, particularly to settle huge campaign debts.
Metuh said: “It is obvious that this budget is an extension of the campaign promises of the APC government, presented as a manifesto filled with bogus promises which implementation will be inconclusive, thereby allowing the APC to once again deny their promises.
“There has never been any known economy in the world where government deliberately mortgages the future of its nation by borrowing excessively to finance partisan interests while hiding under bogus welfare programmes. This is moreso important as the APC in reeling out their bogus campaign promises never informed Nigerians that they would mortgage their future through excessive borrowing.
“We have it on good authority that this is the first in the series of APC borrowings which would leave the future generation of Nigerians under the burden of huge debts after four years.”
Metuh who noted that the budget clearly shows that after seven months in power, President Buhari and his party, the APC were yet to differentiate between governance and campaign propaganda, said: “By all standards, the 2016 budget, the first major economic policy outing of this government, is completely unrealistic and duplicitously embellished with impractical predications, a development that confirms fears by economy watchers and investors that this administration is obviously ill-equipped for governance.
“We are indeed shocked that President Buhari and his minister of information have come up with two different reasons for the current fuel crisis in the country. While we appreciate the President’s apology, we think it is high time he called this minister to order as his excessive propaganda and blame game are ridiculing this administration and the image of the nation.
“Furthermore, it is instructive to note the official endorsement of Mr. President to the devaluation of the naira as against his campaign promise of firming up the value of our currency even to the much vaunted one naira to one dollar. Does it mean that Mr. President lied his way to power, or that he did not understand the complexities of governance when he was making his false promises to Nigerians?
“In future, there is need to regulate campaign promises so that we will not end up with a government that promises to climb Mount Everest with bare hands and end up mortgaging our future with orchestrated borrowings.’’
Lawmakers hail proposal
Reacting to the budget, shortly after the Senate and the House of Representatives adjourned till January 12, 2016, Senate Deputy Majority Whip, Senator Francis Alimikhena, APC, Edo North, described the budget as that of hope, just as he urged Nigerians to be patient with the government as things will be better soon, adding that President Buhari meant well for Nigeria and Nigerians.
In his reaction, Senator Bukkar Abba Ibrahim (Yobe South), said the promise of free education by the president was laudable, describing it as budget of hope.
Also commenting, Senator Kabir Marafa, APC, Zamfara Central who described the budget as that of hope, however promised that the Senate would ensure that the bill was given attention and passed for the interest of Nigerians
Senator Solomon Adeola (Lagos West) in his reaction said it was cheery to see the budget take care of social interventions such as school feeding and social welfare for the unemployed.
Senator Bassey Akpan (PDP, Akwa Ibom North-east) who described it as people-centred and an indication that the president means well for the country, said that National Assembly would look at assumptions in it and ensure that the implementation was in line with the way it is passed.
Reacting to the budget, Rep Austine Chukwukere, APC, Imo State who described the 2016 Appropriation Bill as presented by President Muhammadu Buhari as a fruitful budget, said that the budget would stimulate and engineer the economy in such a way that the infrastructure deficit that had been the order of the day in previous administration had been given a boost.
Rep Chukwukere said that the increment in the capital expenditure would lead to improvement on the dilapidated infrastructure in the country as well as the industrial re activation.
Chukwukere who is the Deputy Chairman of Finance Committee said that if the budget would be fully implemented it would re-kick start the economy for the good of Nigerians.
On the $38 benchmark in which the budget was premised despite that the oil price per barrel had fallen to $32, he explained that the projection was that before first quarter of next year, the oil price must have appreciated going by some indices.
He expressed the optimism that the benchmark would not affect the effective implementation of the budget.
Also commenting on the budget, Rep Philip Shaibu representing Etsako Federal Constituency of Edo State on the platform of All Progressives Congress, APC, said that the budget will make poverty history in 2016.
He said that the emphasis on job creation and improved education was a welcome development, adding that creation of employment will empower Nigeria youths.
Shaibu who was a former Majority Leader in Edo State House of Assembly and a one time president of National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS said there was a departure from what was obtained in the previous administration where the government borrowed money to finance the recurrent expenditure.
According to him, President Buhari had increased the budgetary allocation to the capital expenditure and assured that the money to be borrowed would be used on capital expenditure and not on recurrent.
He said that one of the essential feature of the budget was the deviation from oil to solid minerals and agriculture, noting that over reliance on the oil sector has brought the economy to the present poor state as a result of the fall in the price of oil.
He further said that with the transparency introduced by the government, there was hope that it would be implemented to the fullest.
Adding, “I see our economy booming, I see the economy being restructured. Poverty issue will be totally addressed. I am optimistic,” he stated and commended on the two leadership of the house for taking the decision to ensure effective oversight function
Also in his reaction, Member representing Bali/Gassol federal constituency of Taraba state, Hon. Garba Chede, said the budget is a product of deep thinking based on realities of the nation today.
“This is the first time APC administration was presenting a budget and this budget, undoubtedly, is a creation of deep thinking based on realities, which was obvious to all Nigerians.”
Budget is fueled by insincerity – Fani- Kayode
However, former Spokesperson of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan Campaign Organisation, Chief Femi Fani- Kayode, said the 2016 budget is fueled by insincerity.
According to him, it was ironic that former governor Asiwaju Tinubu; Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi and Governor Nasir El- Rufai, who kicked against deregulation during former President Jonathan’s administration, have suddenly become great supporters of deregulation.
In a statement, Chief Fani- Kayode who accused Buhari’s administration of spending money like a drunken sailor, alleged that the government was borrowing as if there was no tomorrow and thereby ‘’mortgaging the future of Nigeria, Nigerians and our children.’’
“The 2016 budget is fueled by insincerity, shrouded in fantasy, built on tall dreams and spawned by deceit, ignorance and the illusion of change. It is bloated, unrealistic, expensive, cosmetic and it will not result in anything good. In order to fund part of the budget the government intends to borrow money and this will throw our country into even greater debt. What a tragedy this is given the fact that in 2007 Nigeria was debt-free. The Buhari administration is spending money like a drunken sailor and they are borrowing as if there is no tomorrow, mortgaging the future of our nation and our children.
“We need far more fiscal discipline and seriousness than that if our government really wishes to improve the economy and better the lives of ordinary people.
“Meanwhile the Federal Government has said that President Goodluck Jonathan is responsible for today’s long fuel queues even though he left office seven months ago. They seem to have forgotten that in 2012 it was their group, led by Bola Tinubu, Nasir El Rufai, Rotimi Amaechi and President Buhari himself that aggressively opposed deregulation and almost brought the whole country to a standstill with protests and riots all over the place in their efforts to prevent the government from removing the oil subsidy.
“Had it not been for their pettiness, lack of understanding, shortsightedness and double standards the subsidy would have been removed three years ago and fuel queues would have been a thing of history. Sadly they lacked the foresight to appreciate the virtues of that policy and today they have the nerve to blame Jonathan for the mess that they themselves essentially created.
“They have been in power for 7 months now: it is time for them to step up to the plate, start taking responsibility for their own actions, do a better job and stop blaming Jonathan for their own miserable and avoidable failures.”
ABUJA—PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, apologised to Nigerians over the persistent and biting fuel scarcity in the country and attributed the problem to market speculators and stakeholders who are resistant to change. He assured that the government was working hard to end the shortages urgently.
President Buhari who begged Nigerians while presenting the N6.08 trillion 2016 budget to a joint session of the National Assembly, said the government has not increased fuel price and that the pump price of fuel remains N87 per litre.
Buhari presents N6.08trn 2016 budget to NASS
Meanwhile, the Senate, yesterday, amended the Appropriation Act of 2015 to extend implementation of 2015 budget from December 31, 2015 to March 31, 2016.
The President who started his address at 10.17am and ended it at 10.51 am, disclosed that 30 per cent of Nigeria’s annual budget will be committed to capital expenditure, even as he raised Capital Expenditure from N557 billion in 2015 to N1.8 trillion in the 2016 budget.
Having reviewed the trends in the global oil industry, he said the government decided to set a benchmark price of $38 per barrel and a production estimate of 2.2 million barrels per day for 2016, with plans to focus on non-oil revenues by broadening the tax base and improving the effectiveness of revenue collecting agencies. The government is projecting to realise N1.4 trillion as non-oil revenue.
President Buhari, who noted that the present administration projected a revenue target of N3.86 trillion for 2016 and recurrent expenditure of N2.43 trillion, said that the Federal Government also proposed to spend N1.66 trillion on foreign and domestic debt servicing.
The President also declared that his administration would fight corruption no matter how long it takes.
To borrow N1.9 trillion
In the budget, there is a projected foreign and domestic borrowing of N900 billion and N986 billion respectively.
On recurrent sectoral allocations, Education received the highest recurrent vote of N369 billion; followed by Health, N296 billion; Defence, N294 billion; Ministry of Interior, N245 billion while the merged ministries of Power, Works and Housing received budgetary allocation of N433 billion for 2016.
The speech read in part: “The Budget was based on a benchmark oil price of $53 per barrel, oil production of 2.28 million barrels per day and an exchange rate of N190 to the US$.
“The projected revenue was N3.45 trillion, with an outlay of N4.49 trillion, implying a deficit of N1.04 trillion. Due largely to under-provisioning by the previous administration for fuel subsidy and the costs required to support the military operations in the North East, the Government had to obtain National Assembly’s approval for a supplementary budget of N575.5 billion. I take this opportunity to thank all members of the National Assembly for the prompt passage of that Bill.
“To deliver our development objectives, we have increased the capital expenditure portion of the budget from N557 billion in the 2015 budget to N1.8 trillion, in the 2016 budget. Distinguished and honourable members of the National Assembly, for the first time in many years, capital expenditure will represent 30 per cent of our total budget. In future years, we intend to raise the percentage allocation for capital expenditure.
“This is a fulfillment of our promise to align expenditure to our long-term objectives, and a sign of government’s commitment to sustainable development. This increased capital expenditure commits significant resources to critical sectors such as Works, Power and Housing – N433.4 billion; Transport – N202 billion; Special Intervention Programs – N200 billion; Defence – N134.6 billion; and Interior – N145.3 billion. These investments in infrastructure and security are meant to support our reforms in the Agriculture, Solid Minerals and other core job creating sectors of our economy.
“We will invest to safeguard lives and property. We will invest in equipping our farmers with the right tools, technology and techniques. We will invest in empowering and enabling our miners to operate in a safe, secure and humane environment. We will invest in training our youths, through the revival of our technical and vocational institutions, to ensure they are competent enough to seize the opportunities that will arise from this economic revival.
“Indeed, the future looks bright. And I ask that we all work together to make this vision a reality. The 223 per cent year on year growth in capital expenditure demonstrates our desire to make Nigeria more competitive, and start the journey to deliver sustainable development in our country.
“In fulfillment of our promise to run a lean government, we have proposed a nine per cent reduction in non-debt recurrent expenditure, from N2.59 trillion in the 2015 Budget to N2.35 trillion in 2016. Furthermore, we have budgeted N300 billion for Special Intervention Programmes, which takes the total amount for non-debt recurrent expenditure to N2.65 trillion.
Reduces overhead cost
“The Efficiency Unit set up by this Administration together with effective implementation of GIFMIS and IPPIS will drive a reduction of overheads by at least seven per cent, personnel costs by eight per cent and other service wide votes by 19 per cent. Distinguished and honourable members, this budget will be executed to provide optimum value by ensuring every naira spent by this Government, counts.
“We will devote a significant portion of our recurrent expenditure to institutions that provide critical government services. We will spend N369.6 billion in Education; N294.5 billion in Defence; N221.7 billion in Health and N145.3 billion in the Ministry of Interior. This will ensure our teachers, armed forces personnel, doctors, nurses, police men, fire fighters, prison service officers and many more critical service providers are paid competitively and on time.
“Our 2016 borrowings will be principally directed to fund our capital projects. Furthermore, the sum of N113 billion will be set aside for a Sinking Fund towards the retirement of maturing loans; while N1.36 trillion has been provided for foreign and domestic debt service. This calls for prudent management on our part, both of the debt portfolio and the deployment of our hard earned foreign exchange earnings.”
Buhari who noted that government was aware of the harsh economic situation presently being faced by Nigerians, however, blamed the situation on unbridled corruption and security challenges, adding: “We have demonstrated a strong will to fight corruption. I am sure you will agree that the sheer scale of corruption and impunity of the past explains in part, the economic challenges we now face. On these initiatives, and the many more to come, we shall not be deterred. We will pursue the recovery of everything that belongs to the people of Nigeria. No matter where it is hidden. No matter how long it will take.”
President Buhari assured Nigerians that his administration was poised to rebuilding the economy and restoring public confidence in the government. He said although the nation has series of problems to contend with, the challenges were not beyond the country to tackle, adding that the 2016 budget was designed to stimulate the economy and make it more competitive, while focusing on infrastructural development; delivering inclusive growth and prioritizing the welfare of Nigerians.
Buhari also assured that the budget would address problems associated with youth unemployment and general poverty in the land, with particular emphasis on the deplorable conditions of most vulnerable Nigerians, adding, “I know the state of our economy is a source of concern for many. This has been further worsened by the unbridled corruption and security challenges we have faced in the last few years.
“From those who have lost their jobs, to those young people who have never had a job, to the people in the North East whose families and businesses were destroyed by insurgents, this has been a difficult period in our nation’s history, lessons that we must not forget or ignore, as we plan for the future.
“By June 2014, oil prices averaged $112 per barrel. But as at today, the price is under $39 per barrel. This huge decline is having a painful effect on our economy. Consumption has declined at all levels. In both the private and public sectors, employers have struggled to meet their salary and other employee related obligations. The small business owners and traders have been particularly hard hit by this state of affairs.
“Fellow Nigerians, the confidence of many might be shaken. However, I stand before you today promising that we will secure our country, rebuild our economy, and make the Federal Republic of Nigeria stronger than it has ever been.
“The answers to our problems are not beyond us. They exist on our farmlands; our corporations; in the universities in the hearts and minds of our entrepreneurs; through the gallantry of our Armed Forces; and the resolute spirit of Nigerians, especially the youth, who have refused to give up despite all the obstacles confronting them.
“This Budget proposal, the first by our Government, seeks to stimulate the economy, making it more competitive by focusing on infrastructural development; delivering inclusive growth; and prioritizing the welfare of Nigerians.
“We believe that this budget, while helping industry, commerce and investment to pick up, will as a matter of urgency, address the immediate problems of youth unemployment and the terrible living conditions of the extremely poor and vulnerable Nigerians”.
The President who reiterated that the administration would diversify the economy through import substitution and export promotion, said that such economic strategy would build resilience in the economy and guarantee that the contemporary challenges did not confront the nation’s future generations, adding, “In the medium to longer term, we remain committed to economic diversification through import substitution and export promotion. This will build resilience in our economy. It will guarantee that the problems we have today, will not confront our children and their children. This shall be our legacy for generations to come”, he stated.
According to him, despite the general global economic downturn in 2015, Nigerian economy was able to grow by 2.84 per cent in the subsisting fiscal year, just as he promised that the present administration would continue to evolve and implement strategies that would maintain micro-economic stability, while managing the oil price shocks currently aching the country.
He said: “Today, it is widely acknowledged that the global economy has slowed down. This is particularly the case with emerging markets such as Nigeria. However, despite the weak emerging market growth rates, our domestic security challenges, declining oil prices, and the attendant difficulties in providing foreign exchange to meet market demands, the Nigerian economy grew by 2.84 per cent in the third quarter of 2015. We have, and will continue to implement strategies that will maintain macroeconomic stability and manage the oil price shocks we are experiencing.”
President Buhari was accompanied by All Progressives Congress, APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie- Oyegun; his ministers including Rotimi Amaechi; Senator Chris Ngige; Senator Udoma Udo Udoma; Dr. Kayode Fayemi; Chief Audu Ogbeh; Ogbonnaya Onu; Dr. Osagie Ehanire; Lt.Gen. Abduulrahman Dambazau; Alhaji Lai Mohammed; Amina Ibrahim Mohammed; Babatunde Raji Fashola; Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu; Abubakar Malami, SAN; Senator Aisha Jummai Alhassan; and Mrs Kemi Adeosun among others.
During his presentation, President Buhari got encomiums from the gallery as they clapped 20 times with the last one at 10.52am and even when the President paused to drink water at 10.36am, the audience also clapped for him.
Buhari’s Budget a big fraud, he will mortgage Nigeria’s future — PDP
Meanwhile, the National leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, picked holes in the budget..
In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, the party described the N6.08 trillion budget as a big fraud and executive conspiracy tailored towards mortgaging the future of the nation.
The party while querying President Buhari’s decision to borrow N2 trillion, which it termed the biggest in the history of the nation, said that it was the height of recklessness and deceit from a government that trends on propaganda. PDP also berated the Federal Government for trying to use its bogus welfare programme and phantom capital projects as cover and conduit to siphon the funds to satisfy partisan interests, particularly to settle huge campaign debts.
Metuh said: “It is obvious that this budget is an extension of the campaign promises of the APC government, presented as a manifesto filled with bogus promises which implementation will be inconclusive, thereby allowing the APC to once again deny their promises.
“There has never been any known economy in the world where government deliberately mortgages the future of its nation by borrowing excessively to finance partisan interests while hiding under bogus welfare programmes. This is moreso important as the APC in reeling out their bogus campaign promises never informed Nigerians that they would mortgage their future through excessive borrowing.
“We have it on good authority that this is the first in the series of APC borrowings which would leave the future generation of Nigerians under the burden of huge debts after four years.”
Metuh who noted that the budget clearly shows that after seven months in power, President Buhari and his party, the APC were yet to differentiate between governance and campaign propaganda, said: “By all standards, the 2016 budget, the first major economic policy outing of this government, is completely unrealistic and duplicitously embellished with impractical predications, a development that confirms fears by economy watchers and investors that this administration is obviously ill-equipped for governance.
“We are indeed shocked that President Buhari and his minister of information have come up with two different reasons for the current fuel crisis in the country. While we appreciate the President’s apology, we think it is high time he called this minister to order as his excessive propaganda and blame game are ridiculing this administration and the image of the nation.
“Furthermore, it is instructive to note the official endorsement of Mr. President to the devaluation of the naira as against his campaign promise of firming up the value of our currency even to the much vaunted one naira to one dollar. Does it mean that Mr. President lied his way to power, or that he did not understand the complexities of governance when he was making his false promises to Nigerians?
“In future, there is need to regulate campaign promises so that we will not end up with a government that promises to climb Mount Everest with bare hands and end up mortgaging our future with orchestrated borrowings.’’
Lawmakers hail proposal
Reacting to the budget, shortly after the Senate and the House of Representatives adjourned till January 12, 2016, Senate Deputy Majority Whip, Senator Francis Alimikhena, APC, Edo North, described the budget as that of hope, just as he urged Nigerians to be patient with the government as things will be better soon, adding that President Buhari meant well for Nigeria and Nigerians.
In his reaction, Senator Bukkar Abba Ibrahim (Yobe South), said the promise of free education by the president was laudable, describing it as budget of hope.
Also commenting, Senator Kabir Marafa, APC, Zamfara Central who described the budget as that of hope, however promised that the Senate would ensure that the bill was given attention and passed for the interest of Nigerians
Senator Solomon Adeola (Lagos West) in his reaction said it was cheery to see the budget take care of social interventions such as school feeding and social welfare for the unemployed.
Senator Bassey Akpan (PDP, Akwa Ibom North-east) who described it as people-centred and an indication that the president means well for the country, said that National Assembly would look at assumptions in it and ensure that the implementation was in line with the way it is passed.
Reacting to the budget, Rep Austine Chukwukere, APC, Imo State who described the 2016 Appropriation Bill as presented by President Muhammadu Buhari as a fruitful budget, said that the budget would stimulate and engineer the economy in such a way that the infrastructure deficit that had been the order of the day in previous administration had been given a boost.
Rep Chukwukere said that the increment in the capital expenditure would lead to improvement on the dilapidated infrastructure in the country as well as the industrial re activation.
Chukwukere who is the Deputy Chairman of Finance Committee said that if the budget would be fully implemented it would re-kick start the economy for the good of Nigerians.
On the $38 benchmark in which the budget was premised despite that the oil price per barrel had fallen to $32, he explained that the projection was that before first quarter of next year, the oil price must have appreciated going by some indices.
He expressed the optimism that the benchmark would not affect the effective implementation of the budget.
Also commenting on the budget, Rep Philip Shaibu representing Etsako Federal Constituency of Edo State on the platform of All Progressives Congress, APC, said that the budget will make poverty history in 2016.
He said that the emphasis on job creation and improved education was a welcome development, adding that creation of employment will empower Nigeria youths.
Shaibu who was a former Majority Leader in Edo State House of Assembly and a one time president of National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS said there was a departure from what was obtained in the previous administration where the government borrowed money to finance the recurrent expenditure.
According to him, President Buhari had increased the budgetary allocation to the capital expenditure and assured that the money to be borrowed would be used on capital expenditure and not on recurrent.
He said that one of the essential feature of the budget was the deviation from oil to solid minerals and agriculture, noting that over reliance on the oil sector has brought the economy to the present poor state as a result of the fall in the price of oil.
He further said that with the transparency introduced by the government, there was hope that it would be implemented to the fullest.
Adding, “I see our economy booming, I see the economy being restructured. Poverty issue will be totally addressed. I am optimistic,” he stated and commended on the two leadership of the house for taking the decision to ensure effective oversight function
Also in his reaction, Member representing Bali/Gassol federal constituency of Taraba state, Hon. Garba Chede, said the budget is a product of deep thinking based on realities of the nation today.
“This is the first time APC administration was presenting a budget and this budget, undoubtedly, is a creation of deep thinking based on realities, which was obvious to all Nigerians.”
Budget is fueled by insincerity – Fani- Kayode
However, former Spokesperson of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan Campaign Organisation, Chief Femi Fani- Kayode, said the 2016 budget is fueled by insincerity.
According to him, it was ironic that former governor Asiwaju Tinubu; Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi and Governor Nasir El- Rufai, who kicked against deregulation during former President Jonathan’s administration, have suddenly become great supporters of deregulation.
In a statement, Chief Fani- Kayode who accused Buhari’s administration of spending money like a drunken sailor, alleged that the government was borrowing as if there was no tomorrow and thereby ‘’mortgaging the future of Nigeria, Nigerians and our children.’’
“The 2016 budget is fueled by insincerity, shrouded in fantasy, built on tall dreams and spawned by deceit, ignorance and the illusion of change. It is bloated, unrealistic, expensive, cosmetic and it will not result in anything good. In order to fund part of the budget the government intends to borrow money and this will throw our country into even greater debt. What a tragedy this is given the fact that in 2007 Nigeria was debt-free. The Buhari administration is spending money like a drunken sailor and they are borrowing as if there is no tomorrow, mortgaging the future of our nation and our children.
“We need far more fiscal discipline and seriousness than that if our government really wishes to improve the economy and better the lives of ordinary people.
“Meanwhile the Federal Government has said that President Goodluck Jonathan is responsible for today’s long fuel queues even though he left office seven months ago. They seem to have forgotten that in 2012 it was their group, led by Bola Tinubu, Nasir El Rufai, Rotimi Amaechi and President Buhari himself that aggressively opposed deregulation and almost brought the whole country to a standstill with protests and riots all over the place in their efforts to prevent the government from removing the oil subsidy.
“Had it not been for their pettiness, lack of understanding, shortsightedness and double standards the subsidy would have been removed three years ago and fuel queues would have been a thing of history. Sadly they lacked the foresight to appreciate the virtues of that policy and today they have the nerve to blame Jonathan for the mess that they themselves essentially created.
“They have been in power for 7 months now: it is time for them to step up to the plate, start taking responsibility for their own actions, do a better job and stop blaming Jonathan for their own miserable and avoidable failures.”
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