The federal government, in its proposed 2025 budget allocated a total sum of N2.49 trillion to five regional development commissions under the umbrella of personnel costs which has raised concerns around accountability.
BudgIT, a civic-tech organisation expressed concerns that lumping development commission budgets under personnel costs could compromise transparency and accountability of such funding.
The organisation explained that it hinders proper scrutiny of how these funds are utilised and whether they effectively achieve their intended development objectives.
A breakdown of the budget shows Niger Delta regional commission was allocated N776.53 billion; South West, N498.40 billion; North East, N290.99 billion; North West, N585.93 billion; and South East, N341.27 billion.
According to BudgIT, this approach obscures the true nature of the commissions’ operational expenses.
In comparison, BudgIT pointed out that the ministry of interior, which oversees the Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Correctional Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Fire Service, and their governing board, has a significantly lower recurrent non-debt expenditure allocation of N648.84 billion. This figure covers personnel and overhead costs for the entire ministry and its agencies.
The organisation also raised concerns over President Bola Tinubu’s recent pronouncement regarding the retirement package of military generals, which includes the provision of a bulletproof SUV, fully paid foreign medical treatment, $20,000 as estacode for medical trips, and payments for domestic help.
According to BudgIT, this contradicts his previous commitments to reduce the cost of governance and welfare packages to top-ranked public officials and civil servants.
It added that such provisions not only inflate the budget and widen the fiscal deficit but may also demoralise lower-ranking military personnel, who lack adequate health insurance and retirement benefits despite their higher exposure to combat risks.
As the National Assembly reviews the 2025 Proposed Budget, BudgIT urged to the 360 Members of the Federal House of Representatives and 109 Senators of the Nigerian Senate to prioritise national interest over personal or parochial considerations and ensure that the approved budget stimulates economic activities and macroeconomic stability, allocates resources to foster economic growth and development, equitably distributes resources to reduce poverty and inequality, and caters to the most vulnerable Nigerians. (BusinessDay)
