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From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi; Femi Folarin, Yenagoa; Tony John, Port Harcourt; Paul Osuiyi, Asaba; Emmanuel Adeyemi, Lokoja
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recently presented an estimated budget of N27.5 trillion for the 2024 fiscal year, termed ‘Budget of Renewed Hope.’ The sectoral breakdown was later released.
In this report, some Nigerians from different states express their opinions and expectations from the budget.
There is very little to expect from budget – Ebipuado Sapre Obi, don
There is very little to expect from the 2024 budget. The 2024 budget was an opportunity for the APC led government to demonstrate its readiness to take Nigeria out of the woods but that opportunity has been thrown away with the document presented to the National Assembly.
The 2024 budget was an opportunity, especially a new government, to make a bold and clear statement about its preparedness to take Nigeria out of the woods, but the APC government failed to take advantage of the opportunity presented by the budget to lay out its economic blueprint. There is no radical departure from the budget of the previous governments, which means that not much should be expected from the present administration.
FG should make NDDC, Niger Delta ministry efficient, effective – Morris Alagoa, rights activist
It is very sad the figures quoted for unnecessary expenditure in the budget. The interventionist agencies and the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs should concentrate on projects that would really impact on the people. I am saddened about the amount mentioned in connection with renovation of the office of the Vice President. I am sad because this country is borrowing, highly indebted and solely depending on crude oil and gas when the world is transitioning to renewable energy.
If the federal government should make the NDDC and Ministry of Niger Delta efficient and effective, that would be great. These interventionist agencies should leave projects like six-classroom blocks and concentrate on interstate/ inter community link roads, shoreline protection, sand filling/reclamation of land, electricity, scholarship, and the likes that would be great. In addition, the nagging and unparalleled insecurity needs serious intervention.
Budget’ll serve interests of the elite – Ebilade Ekerefe, youth activist, entrepreneur
The 2024 Appropriation Bill is beautifully packaged to service the interests of the elite and not the ordinary Nigerians.
Contrary to the renewed hope they promised, what Nigerians are getting in return is renewed suffering.
Going by the principles of the budget proposal, there’s simply no hope. We expect the budget to address key sectors of the economy that will address unemployment, food security and social interventions. This would’ve in turn alleviated the living conditions of Nigerians who are suffering as a result of the removal of fuel subsidy and rising inflation.
But what we are seeing is a far cry from what we expect. This is the time for the legislature, the judiciary and the executive arms of government to make sacrifices for the good of the country by cutting down on their expenditures but they are not patriotic enough to do so. They’re only interested in their welfare.
The ordinary citizen will continue to suffer as the proposed budget does not seem like that which has the capacity to address the myriads of problems bedevilling the country, but rather to satisfy the wants of the elite.
Budget should focus on economic recovery, revival of local industries, power – Livingstone Wechie, public affairs analyst
The 2024 budget of N27 trillion should be focused on economic recovery, revival of local industries and power. This will enable and stimulate Nigeria’s economy. It is important for the Nigerian government to be intentional on the issue of redeeming Nigeria from a moribund and comatose situation as has been confirmed by Watchers. The level of liabilities in Nigeria’s fiscal framework is responsible for the continuous economic dilapidation. Sadly, a large chunk of 30 per cent of the budget – N8.25 trillion – is for debt servicing.
Very importantly, the focus must be on those necessary infrastructure that will drive genuine development. For this to happen, the federal government must be extremely circumspect in its spending. The idea of lavish allocation for comfort and pleasure must be dealt with. The president must impose a travel ban on himself and other officials and use more of our foreign representatives such as diplomats or consulates abroad for foreign engagements.
We hope budget will translate into tangible benefits – Sunny Zorvah, journalist
The allocation for recurrent expenditure is unnecessarily high, although the capital expenditure is higher than previous administration, but it’s acceptable.
We hope it will translate into tangible benefits. Some specific items are also questionable, like the N15 billion for the construction of the vice president’s residence.
Budget padding should be eliminated – Mr. Obinna Ebogidi – social crusader
Nigeria as it stands today, is struggling with developmental issues and needs every Naira to be utilised for worthwhile projects in the country. President Tinubu’s administration needs to identify strategies to deal with the crucial issue of budget padding which has limited Nigeria’s economic growth chances.
Eliminating budget padding will also guarantee effective resource allocation. Budget padding encourages theft and fraud and promotes a culture of corruption. I expect this administration to prioritise open budgeting procedures, impartial audits, whistleblower protection to encourage efficient resources utilization.
FG should create employment for graduates – Damilola Aderotimi, unemployed graduate
The federal government should ensure they fix the Port Harcourt refinery as promised and create employment opportunities for the teeming graduate youths
President should renew Nigerians hope with budget – Hon Ishola David Sunday, former governor’s aide
President Bola Tinubu tagged the budget “Renewed Hope”. He should let the hope of Nigerians be renewed through eradication of poverty, provision of social amenities, creation of employment opportunities and improvement in the security situations in the country
Allocating more resources to education can contribute to empower citizenry -Victor Ojie, human rights activist
We as a people should expect increment on allocations for essential services like healthcare, education, and infrastructure. The budget is also expected to outline government priorities but in Nigeria, the government always fails to conduct annual town hall meetings that will give the government access to collate the need based assessments of her people, thus giving leverage for priorities and spending plans, which are aimed to foster economic growth, address social needs, and manage public finances responsibly.
Certainly, increasing the allocation for education in the national budget is crucial for human capital development. Education plays a pivotal role in building a skilled and knowledgeable workforce, driving innovation, and fostering economic growth. Progressive nations often prioritise education as a strategic investment, recognizing its long-term impact on societal development and competitiveness. Allocating more resources to education in the budget can contribute to a more enlightened and empowered citizenry, fuelling the nation’s progress.
Our roads are death traps, they need more budgetary allocations – Uche Nnorom, media consultant
The 2024 budget should focus on projects that would have impacts of the lives of Nigerians in line with the renewed hope agenda of Mr. President, especially on capital projects like roads construction and rehabilitation. Our roads are death traps and need a lot of budgetary allocations to fix them. The government should also budget funds to fix our refineries, especially with the oil subsidy removal so as to cushion the effects of the challenges Nigerians are facing as a result of the removal. Education, economy and health also require serious attention.
FG should invest more in education- Simon Wankar, teacher
Looking at our present economic situation, I think the government should invest more in the educational sector by bringing up intervention projects to salvage the hardship in that sector. A practical approach should be implemented to tackle and add value to our Naira.
The roads are bad, they should be fixed – Boniface Iordye, retiree
We have challenges of bad roads; our roads are so bad, both the federal and the state roads. So the government has to do something to repair them. I expect that the budget would have good allocation of funds to fix the roads and solidly too. Somehow, with what we are seeing in Benue, if you fix the roads, some percentage of crime, especially the ones perpetrated on the roads, kidnapping, extortion among others would be reduced to the barest minimum.
