BudgIT has asked the National Assembly (NASS) to ensure that the 2023 Appropriation Bill (budget) is not padded.

The organisation’s Country Director, Gabriel Okeowo, who made the call, said increasing the size of the 2023 budget proposal above the N20.5 trillion presented by President Muhammadu Buhari would weigh on the country’s economy.

Okeowo said the economy is already battling inflation and the high-interest rate among other economic challenges.

‘The National Assembly should make sure that they streamline the 2023 budget proposal to make it as implementable as possible’, he said.

‘From what we have seen over the years, no matter the size of the budget proposal presented to the National Assembly, when it is coming out, there would be insertions that would blow it up’.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) recently revealed that a total of N400 billion was inserted into the federal government’s budgets for the 2021 and 2022 fiscal years.

According to ICPC, the 2021 budget totalling N13.59 trillion was padded by civil servants in the various MDAs, with duplicated projects worth N300 billion and projects’ duplication worth N100 billion also smuggled into the N17.12 trillion 2022 budget by some ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).

He cautioned the lawmakers to know that BudgIT is following up on the ongoing project defence by MDAs.

The BudgIT chief urged the legislature to ensure that it cuts down on frivolous items presented by MDAs.

Photo source: PLAC