The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal, on Wednesday declared the Federal Government cannot fully implement the N6.06 trillion 2016 budget as passed by the National Assembly.
Lawal told a joint Senate committee on Appropriations, Finance and Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions that the revenues of the government had dropped by 50 to 60 per cent contrary to projections.
The SGF was invited by the Senate to explain his comment that the 2016 constituency projects as captured in the budget would not be implemented.
He pointedly blamed the drop in Nigeria’s revenue on activities of militants in the Niger Delta.
Lawal noted that the oil benchmark of $38 per barrel fixed by the Federal Government has been drastically dislocated.
He added that the benchmark has been grossly affected by activities of militants in the Niger Delta.
The SGF said, “The statement is correct. That is my statement, we cannot guarantee the implementation of constituency projects in the 2016 budget. As a government, constituency projects are championed by members of the National Assembly. Like the legislature, members of the executive are politicians who canvassed for votes.
“Lawmakers are aware that oil barrels had dwindled to about 800,000 per day. This has led to the inability of government to finance the budget. It is the duty of government to prepare the minds of Nigerians ahead that there will be challenges in implementing the budget.
“Government based its principle on zero budgeting this year. Funds will be released to finance key projects in line with the implementation plans of the government. I will explain why it will be hard for the government to implement the budget.
“I spoke with the Minister of Budget this morning and I asked him the revenue base of the government. We are now receiving about 50 to 60 earnings from what we projected.”
“Some Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) might find it impossible to implement projects appropriated in their budgets. We have to re-prioritize. I like us to understand that this is the background upon which I made that statement. “ Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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This is expected even if the revenue had doubled the budgeted level. Campaign is still ongoing!
ReplyDeleteI am in love with this Administration. I can't wait for 2019 to use my PVC wisely.
ReplyDeleteSo this government has come again, they can't even keep peace in the Niger Delta. They know that the Niger Delta lays the golden egg. How can they solve economic problems. Please somebody should help me tell this government that economy of Nigeria should be number their one priority. Budget has enter voice mail oh!!!
ReplyDeleteI am in a quandary. After so much hype about recovered looted funds, similar over stretched successes on the TSA, we still have no money to fully fund the budget, I am forced to conclude we have been told cock and Bill. This gov't certainly doesn't talk and do. Please was there no study done to ensure we had a budget that was implementable.
ReplyDeleteWhat part of the budget will be majorly funded if I may ask. Recurrent expenditures or capital expenditures.
Instead of bailing out states with scare resources when they should put their thinking caps on, put those funds to proper use please.
Buhari and it's useless party are criminals
ReplyDeleteThis government is unwise as the leader himself. All low minded people, can you now hear that it is the Neger Delta region that lays the golden egg of the country, and without it Nigeria can not survive?. If Buhari was wise, shouldn't he had allowed the security contract of the oil pipe lines that was given to the militants by Yaradua and Johnathan administration for peace to reign to remain in the hands of the militants? Even if the militants did not use it for any meaningful development of the area, but yet there was a peaceful atmosphere for the government to continue milking the region. Now, compare level of drop in the oil revenue that thwarts the implementation of the budget and the amount that was paid to them (militants)for the contract, which one is better? It takes intelligent to be a good leader. Buhari to me is not an intelligent person and will never be because he has refused to learn. He came to fight and not to lead. But then, I wonder were all these fight is leading to because in Nigeria it is each leader with his own way of doing things. Tomorrow another person will come and sweep all Buhari's doings into the waste bin except laws are established to which all actions and the leader will be subjected.
ReplyDeleteSo Niger delta is the one feeding NIGERIAN just only one region chai chai chai where is GOD ooo......
ReplyDeleteJonathan again. Why is he making this budget to be doing like this and to be doing like this. If not that Buhari is a strong man....... The error in budgeting is caused by Jonathan's PDP. Ask Oshiomole. I am saying the truth
ReplyDeleteIf you guys read the article again, you would observe that the SGF stressed constituency projects (which were unceremoniously included in the budget by the National Assembly).
ReplyDeleteSo its just a subtle way of telling them (the NA) that they aren't gonna get 'shishi'!
Am not even surprised...next time,Nigerians will think deeply and wisely before they go to the polls..
ReplyDelete