It is the season of budget presentation in Nigeria and a time for active citizens to scrutinise the details of intended spending.
Development Diaries reports that the details of the 2024 budget proposal show that President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima will spend N10.13 billion on meals and trips.
The budget document also reveals that N201.4 million will be spent on animal feeding at the Aso Rock Zoo, which is classified as ‘wildlife conservation’.
The honorarium and sitting allowance for the president and vice president are estimated in the 2024 budget proposal to be N152.3 million and N67.3 million, respectively.
Any country’s governance cycle begins with the presentation of budget plans for the upcoming fiscal year, which serve as a guide for governmental expenditure, economic activity, and development projects.
It is also a crucial time when citizens must make efforts to understand the intricacies of both state and federal budgets to hold their elected representatives and government officials accountable for how public funds are allocated and utilised.
When budget proposals are made, there is a need for a thorough review to ensure the right budget is approved.
In Nigeria, where issues with mismanagement, corruption, and poor public services continue to exist, meticulously reviewing budget plans becomes not only a civic responsibility but also an essential requirement.
Citizens must step up to the responsibility of scrutinising budget proposals at both the state and federal levels. Unfortunately, corruption in public institutions is common in Africa’s most populous country. A vigilant citizenry can act as a check against corrupt practices by scrutinising budget proposals.
When citizens actively engage with the budgetary process, they can detect potential avenues for corruption, such as inflated contract costs, dubious project allocations, or embezzlement of funds.
Development Diaries calls on citizens to monitor the presentation of the federal and various state budget proposals, and make their observations or concerns known to their various representatives, both at the federal and state levels, for legislative action.
Photo source: Presidency Nigeria
