There are 316 duplicated projects worth N39 5 Billion in Nigeria's 2021. Out of the 316 duplicated projects 115 are in the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH).
BudgIT, a civic-tech non-profit organization that has been at the fore advocating for financial transparency and accountability in public finances, made the revelation in a press release on Tuesday morning. This is despite the refusal of the government to increase the hazard allowance of medical personnel, who are still owed a backlog of salaries.
According to BudgIT the revelation was very disturbing considering the health infrastructure deficit and the raging Covid-19 pandemic affecting Nigeria.
There was a 14 per cent increase in the budget allocation to the security sector of the country from N1.78trillion to N1.97trillion. Between 2015 and 2021, over N10.02 trillion has been allocated to the security sector. BudgIT also noted that non-security related government agencies also receive “security votes”. A total of 117 federal agencies received “security votes” worth N24.3 Billion.
Nigeria currently has a N3.31trillion debt servicing burden, which represents 41.63 per cent of the 2021 budget, but continues to exploit loopholes for more corruption in the system. BudgIT noted that agencies also receive allocations for capital projects they cannot execute.
According to the BudgIT the National Agriculture Seed Council has an allocation for N400 Million to construct solar street lights across all six geopolitical zones, while the Federal College of Forestry in Ibadan in Oyo State got N50 Million for the construction of street lights in Edo State. The NGO is demanding Budget Reforms for Resource Optimization in government agencies.
BudgIT CEO Gabriel Okeowo noted that “the federal government can maximize the little public funds left by blocking the leakages BudgIT has identified”.
References :
https://yourbudgit.com/
Mbalu S, 2021, Foundation For Investigative Journalism (FIJ), accessed at https://fij.ng/article/breaking-2021-budget-has-316-duplicated-projects-worth-n39-5bn/