As stated in my first piece, there are aspects of the Kogi state 2017 budget proposal I am not comfortable with, and as much as they would want us to believe the “New direction government” will not be as wasteful as previous governments, the figures in the budget are telling us they might be worse off. From maintenance costs, to up-keeps, and travel expenses the amounts proposed are almost double what was spent last year and by previous governments.
In the proposed budget, the recurrent expenditure for government Administration is N13.65bn representing 23.32% of the total recurrent expenditure proposed for 2017, this means the government house will almost consume whatever revenue the state will generate from value added tax, Budget augmentation and exchange rate differentials valued at N13.99bn.
Let’s take a look at some of the expenditure proposals for the deputy governor’s office that I think they should review downwards of even throw away, without these items government will run smoothly:
1. UP-KEEP OF DEPUTY GOVERNOR’S OFFICE N100M:
I know every office needs money to run, I totally understand. However, there are various provisions for Water rate N1m, office stationery and computer consumables N2m,printing of file jackets N1m, motor vehicle maintenance N10m, maintenance of furniture and fittings N6m, maintenance of office and residential buildings N20.5m, and others. Not to mention that N60m has been proposed for the renovation and furnishing of the deputy governor’s lodge and N20m for the furnishing of his office. So I am wondering what they need to “UP-KEEP” that requires N100m.
2. CAR PARK/PORCH IN THE DEPUTY GOVERNOR’S OFFICE N10M:
N10m is “chicken change”, but I know it can buy transformers or dig boreholes in some communities with no water. You might want to argue that there are provisions for that already, please add this N10m it won’t be too much.
3. COOKING GAS/FUEL COST N2M:
I will assume this N2m is for cooking gas only because we have N5m proposed for Plants/ generator fuel costs and N3m proposed for motor vehicle fuel cost. Presently, 14kg of cooking gas costs N4, 000, so if they propose N2m for purchasing cooking gas to cook for the deputy governor and his family they will end up buying about 7000kg. The only way they’ll finish this quantity of gas is if they leave the gas cooker running for the whole year.
I know some might want to argue that the budget is just a mere proposal and that even if it is approved, it does not mean all these cost will be incurred. I agree, however in Nigeria once a budget is approved with this kind of items (free money), my people will find a way to incur whether necessary or not. The money must be pulled out. My appeal to the” White Lion”, is for him take time out and review this proposal himself and make corrections. If things go wrong, the army of aides surrounding him now will abandon him and even blame him for the truth they refused to tell him. There is a lot of money to be spent in the proposed budget that does not have direct impact on the people, your government will not be remembered for the money spent in publicity and propaganda, you will be remembered for the impact your policies and spending have on the people, and the solution you provide to the myriad of issues and problems facing them.
We want to see an expenditure pattern that shows sacrifice on the part of the State’s leadership.
God Bless Kogi state.
– Kehinde Olorunfemi
