Two words that Nigerians have been hearing from the Federal Government quite a lot during campaign and afterwards are “Transformation” and “Agenda”. The actions of the government make me wonder whether they really know the meaning of the two words. Transformation is defined in Oxford Dictionary as “a marked change in form, nature, or appearance” while agenda is defined as “a plan of things to be done or problems to be addressed. Put the two words together in context of governance in Nigeria to me means change in governance as we are used too and having a feasible plan, will, commitment and determination to effectively effect the change in the interest of the nation through accountability, transparency and rule of law.
Based on a document, “The Transformation Agenda 2011 – 2015,” lack of continuity, consistency and commitment (3Cs) to government policies, projects and programs and lack of a long term plan for the nation is another area of concern. The document adds that the consequence of these problems is a growth of the economy without any improvement to the welfare of the country. There is need to transform the Nigerian economy so that the citizens will feel the growth as well and at the same time giving importance to the 3Cs. The GEJ’s administration answer to these problems is what they refer to as “Transformation Agenda”, which covers the period 2011 – 2015
All these is sound on paper but the document (budget) that the government will use to transform the country and reduce unemployment, inequality and poverty is screaming something different. There is nothing about the budget that will transform the country and its citizens for the better. Rather it will just transform the accounts of top people in government.
The federal government has said that they are trying to cut the cost of government and allocate more to capital projects but we are yet to see that willingness from the government. 2014 capital allocation is less than that of 2013 instead of it to be more. Budget of 2014 fiscal year has a recurrent budget of 73 percent and a capital expenditure of a mere 27 percent is just ridiculous to say the least. How can a government impact the lives of its citizenry when a bulk of the budget goes to salary, allowance, trips and maintaining the government? It’s not rocket science but our budget is a recipe for disaster. The worst part is the capital expenditure never gets implemented fully, as the percent of implementation is always far below 50 percent.
There is no way, for a matter of fact ITS IMPOSSIBLE for Nigeria as a country to progress as long as we continue to appropriate more than two third of our budget to just keep the government running and pay salaries. We have to seriously cut the cost of running our government and move the funds to projects that will improve the lives of ordinary Nigerians. The government has been saying they want to reduce the recurrent cost and are working towards that but the allocation of recurrent expenditure is higher for 2014 as compared to 2013. So the government is planning to spend more on themselves and less on us, the people they are suppose to serve.
Some of the allocations in the 2014 budget are hard to come in terms with, the talked about intervention for the troubled North East region of the country is just 2 billion (for 6 states). The fund is meant to help the region in rebuilding because of the insecurity facing the region but one wonder whether it’s meant for just one state or it’s a joke. Agriculture got N31.4 billion while Office of the SGF got more as it was allocated N46.2 billion. 30,000 ex-militants got N23.6 billion for salary, another N35.4 billion for transforming ex-militants. These two allocations are more than that of Science and Technology N24 billion, Power N3.9 billion, Water Resources N7.7 billion, Mines and Steel Development N10.6 billion, Lands and Housing N5.6 billion and that of Aviation N6 billion combined. The Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN) put it best when they said, 2014 budget too skewed to impact positively on Nigerians
We don’t expect a miracle from our leaders; we know it will take time and lots of mistakes but we want decisions and mistakes to be made based on our unified interest not taking decisions to please certain group of people (cabals) or trying to change pension law just to suite an individual at the expense of the whole nation, or denying airlines to land at a particular state just because you don’t want the state to progress. It’s really unfortunate, that countries across the world are progressing but we as a nation are moving backward.
Appropriating more to capital expenditure, fiscal discipline, accountability and transparency goes a long way in showing that a government is serious and that it cares about the people they serve. His Excellency. Gov Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of Kano runs a government that is transparent, accounts to the people of Kano, that is fiscal disciplined and appropriates more than two third of its budget to capital expenditure. That is why people in Kano irrespective of party affiliation appreciate his effort in making decision in the interest of the state not his family, party, LGA or senatorial zone. Kano isn’t back to its glorious days yet but we are moving towards that direction not the opposite direction, what Kwankwaso was able to achieve in less than 3 years of leadership in his second coming and considering the shape of the state in 2011 its nothing short of remarkable. His Excellency. Gov Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom is another governor that allocates a substantial percentage of his state’s budget to capital expenditure. That is why the development that is happening in Akwa Ibom is been appreciated and applauded by all irrespective of you affiliation. There are other state governors that are trying as well but they are very few. Why can’t other governors and the federal government do the same and come up with a budget and policy in the interest of the nation?
We really need to wake up and let these politicians know that we are doing them a favor by voting for them not the other way round. They need to know that their main and only job is the betterment of the lives of Nigerians and not their state, tribe, ethnicity or geopolitical zone. “To sin by silence when they should protest makes cowards of men” – Ella Wheeler Wilcox
Fahad Garba Aliyu
fahadaliyu@gmail.com
@fahadaliyu
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