From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
The National Association of Seadogs, Pyrates Confraternity, NAS/PC has called for the review of the Zonal Intervention Project (Constituency Projects) to save it from abuse and official corruption.
BudgIT, a civic-tech non-profit organisation had alleged that the National Assembly inserted 7, 447 projects valued at over N2 trillion into the 2024 national budget.
NAS Capoon, Mr Abiola Owoaje, in a statement entitled ‘2024 National Budget: Corruption Incorporated’ expressed sadness over the insertions of projects in the 2024 national budget. Owoaje said it was disappointing that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu “who should be concerned about the ugly trend in the 2024 national budget and the implication for development for Nigerians on his watch, is the one endorsing the impunity of Federal lawmakers.’”
He also condemned the silence of opposition parties in the National Assembly describing it as “a sad betrayal of the people and an abdication of robust opposition politics.’’ Owoaje stated that it is unfortunate that when vast majority of Nigerians are suffering, elected representatives of the people would be ‘’allocating our scarce resources to nurture their profligacy lifestyle.’’ He noted that the constituency projects have been a subject of abuse and official corruption as it has been turned into slush funds for the federal lawmakers.
Owoaje submitted that execution of contracts by federal lawmakers erodes their functions as legislators and makes mockery of their ability to check the excesses of the executive arm of government as shown by the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC track of previous constituency projects.
The statement reads in part: “NAS/PC demands a review of the ZIP to align with the vision of its establishment. If President Tinubu wants Nigerians to take him seriously on his promises to fight corruption, then he should immediately call for review of the 7,447 projects inserted by the National Assembly and streamline the same for execution by independent contractors to reflect priority needs for the people. Public officers in Nigeria should be told that using the privileges of their office to corner projects for personal gains is gross abuse of office and blatant corruption.
“Crucially, it is about time Nigerians showed more than a passing interest to the budget process and demand that our public servants and elected representatives design and implement policies and programmes for the development of the country, and are held accountable for the prudent management of our common patrimony. This cannot happen if we do not undertake a comprehensive rethinking of our value system, especially the whole idea of public office and handling of public funds. This is the first step to the sustainable development that we desperately yearn for.”