‘Many things dey happen’, will be the right phrase for us to use at this point after the recent revelations concerning the 2024 budgets of some government institutions in Nigeria by BudgIT.

Where is the accountability in this country?

While Nigerians continue to suffer and deal with ongoing hardship and hunger, the accountability gaps within government organisations seem to be widening further.

In the past few days, BudgIT, a civic organisation promoting transparency and fostering active citizen engagement has made some revelations concerning the 2024 budget of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NSRDA), and that of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Wetin concern NSRDA with ‘pregnancy sensitisation’? And wetin concern NAN with keke distribution, streetlight installation, and school renovation?

It is baffling that a government agency with a mandate of being the repository of all satellite data over Nigeria’s territory would budget N80 million for pregnancy sensitisation, purchase of metal dustbins for N80 million, and construction of handpump boreholes for N30 million.

The ‘oga kpata kpata’ of them all is the budget of N170 million for the sensitisation of traditional rulers on peace, conflict and resolution. Is this their mandate?

As for NAN, why did they budget N100 million for the purchase and distribution of tricycles for the empowerment of youths?

We are concerned that all of these and other frivolous items on their budget are avenues to siphon public funds. As Nigerians continue to endure the hardship of the struggling economy, the government must be seen to be accountable.

President Bola Tinubu needs to read the Riot Act to show an example.

Source: BudgIT

Photo source: Freepik