Happy new year Kogites, best wishes in the new year. It is my sincere prayer that this year will be a better year for us in Kogi state. No dobut, 2016 was an eventful year in Kogi state, a new governor was sworn in, the youngest ever, first governor from Kogi central senatorial district. Series of court cases, allegations and imbroglios trailed his emergence, but all the dust raised settled and is buried in 2016. The Kogi state house of assembly were also key actors in the political crises that engulfed the state in the year 2016, with the house having two Speakers for most part of the year. The state civil servants were not spared too as the year 2016 turned out to be a horrible one for them, as they all had to endure the rigorous screening process and wait for months to be paid their salaries, while the unlucky ones were screened out of the service .
On 22 Dec 2016, Gov. Yahaya Adoza Bello presented the state’s 2017 Budget proposal to the Kogi state house of assembly , tagged “Budget of new direction” . Clearly, the budget is a deliberate departure from that of 2016 in terms of the amount proposed, the budget proposed for 2017 has an estimated outlay of N174,851,544,523 compared to N99,998,674,261 approved for 2016. Also, there is a positive tilt towards capital expenditure, which has 66.53% compared to 36.87% for 2016. In the Governor’s words:
“ the proposed BUDGET OF NEW DIRECTION is clearly indicative of our fair, sincere and frank assessment of the amount the State can generate on her own as Internally Generated Revenue in addition to what she can most likely obtain from the Federation Account and sundry other sources.”
He further stated:
“Implementation of this Budget will accelerate the rate at which we can build physical infrastructure and develop human capital in our state and deploy them. It will help us scale up our expenditures in Health, Education, Infrastructure and Utilities, Job Creation and Youth Engagement, Public Service and Pension Reforms.”
As soothing as these words sound, some aspects of the budget still shows a repeat of “atrocious leadership” tendencies. I will highlight some aspects of the budget I think the government and state house of assembly should review before passing the budget into law. My journey starts from the Government house administration expenditure proposal for 2017. There are a long list of expense heads there, I will pick out the items I really do not feel good about, and I think are rather wasteful.
1. TRAVEL EXPENSES N1.43BN:
This includes local and international travels for tours and trainings, expenses incidental to Governor’s tour and travelling allowances. Without asking for a further breakdown this amount is outrageous, the amount being spent for travelling in the government house is about the same amount to be spent for Kogi state university teaching Hospital and Kogi state specialist hospital combined.
2. OFFICE STATIONERY/COMPUTER CONSUMABLE N250M:
I will not complain if this amount was for all MDAs , but for government house only?NO!!!! if this amount will be spent for computer consumables, then what will be spent on purchasing computers.
3. SECURITY VOTES INCLUDING OPERATIONS N8BN:
Very vague description and bogus amount. If we were running a state police I wouldn’t worry. I just hope a bunker will be built in government house with an underground passage to all LGAs to ensure the governor’s security and safety. But we all know it’s just an avenue for Governors to spend money without accounting for it. Just to let you know this money will exceed what will be spent by the Kogi state ministry of Agriculture by N500m in 2017.
4. SPECIAL SECURITY EXPENSE N350M:
This is most unfair, because after budgeting N8bn for security votes, this item still rare its head. I wonder what is more special than the security vote that requires extra N350m. This is certainly not the new direction we want to face in Kogi state.
5. EXPENSES INCIDENTAL TO HER EXCELLENCY’S TOUR N350M:
I have never been so confused, trying to read between letters to be sure there was no typo when I read this part of the budget. If this was meant for the reigning Miss World, I would personally ensure they made it up to N400m. But for the First lady’s tour? “How Na!!!!!” . Really sad that tax payers money will be spent on such a frivolous line. My question: what is she touring for? What project is she commissioning or inspecting? What oversight function does she have ? I am sure if this budget is for the Governor’s personal business he wouldn’t have this expense line with this amount. Please if it is compulsory she has to tour then it should be done using her money or her husband’s money.
6. REFRESHMENT MEALS AND HOSPITALITY N400M:
I am not against people eating, it will be hypocritical of me to complain of people eating too much, because I do eat a lot. However, I am worried about those who are going to be fed with this N400m, please who knows the number of people living in Lugard house?. On a serious note, can’t the occupants of lugard house be responsible for feeding themselves? After all, they were responsible for feeding themselves before their appointments. Must we entertain people as they come to government house? With this amount budgeted, I can imagine that the government house kitchen will be busier than the governor’s office. Please GYB, give the state’s resources some lack and reduce this amount to N50m, it will still be enough.
7. PUBLICITY AND ADVERTISEMENT N325M:
What publicity please? As far as i am concerned, the governor has a very vibrant publicity team, over working on all the social media platforms. It is the advertisement part I really do not understand, but whatever it is they are advertising in 2017 they should but not be spending as much as GLO and MTN,
8. OVERSEAS TREATMENT N50M:
Please who will be treated overseas? Whoever it is, it will be unwise to spend money we are supposed to use to develop our healthcare system to treat a privileged few outside the country. Meanwhile, this amount is more than the N47.27m proposed for the state emergency management agency for 2017. Misplaced priorities.
9. SANITATION AND JANITORAL SERVICES N500M:
Please don’t mistake this for cleaning and fumigation services, that one has N100m proposed. This one is something close to the sewage services budgeted for in Aso rock for 2017, the N500m proposed in Kogi state is just about N40m shy of the presidential villa’s budget, N100m more than what is budgeted for refreshment meals and hospitality. Shit business is good business.
For those who have not seen the budget proposal, you can visit kogireports.com to download. All figures quoted were lifted from the proposal and are not my figures. I expect serious reactions to this piece, but I plead with those reacting to leave my mum and dad (and even my ancestors) out of this and direct insults to me only. I believe the government of new direction and the Kogi state house of assembly will do what is right and yank off all wasteful expense lines from this proposal before it is approved. I will be back soon with other areas I am concerned about.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!
– Kehinde Olorunfemi
okehinde24@gmail.com
