BudgIT’s recent uncovering of a N732 billion allocation for vague empowerment projects in Nigeria’s 2024 budget highlights concerns for public trust in governance.
Development Diaries reports that according to BudgIT, its Tracka platform discovered an allocation of N732.5 billion for empowerment projects in the 2024 budget by the federal government.
According to Tracka, a total of 4,440 empowerment projects were discovered in the 2024 budget, which are vague and challenging to track due to their nature.
Although empowerment projects are intended to be restricted to constituency projects, the National Assembly (NASS) has progressively introduced them into capital projects.
BudgIT, in its further analysis of the budget, also revealed that over 2,558 projects worth N624 billion were allocated to agencies outside their mandate.
These revelations can severely impact public trust in government financial management.
Transparency in budgetary processes is essential for maintaining confidence in the government’s ability to manage public funds effectively and equitably.
The appearance of ambiguous and unjustified allocations might lead to citizens becoming less trusting of the government’s commitment to good governance.
This distrust can lead to decreased civic engagement and support for government initiatives, hampering overall development and societal progress.
It is essential to demand greater accountability and openness in budget allocations in light of these issues identified.
The President Bola Tinubu-led government needs to work towards fostering a culture of transparency and accountability to mitigate the risks of mismanagement and corruption and ensure that public funds are utilised effectively for the country’s development.
Development Diaries calls on the National Assembly to ensure that all budgetary provisions are accompanied by detailed descriptions, clear objectives, and measurable outcomes.
We also call on citizens to focus on scrutinising budget allocations and holding the government accountable.
