N58.472trn: Senate Raises Alarm Over Persistent Budget Implementation Failures

It’s a story that sadly repeats itself year after year, and this time, the Nigerian Senate is not holding back. On Thursday, the Senate’s Committee on Appropriations engaged directly with the federal government’s economic team, expressing profound dismay over the perennial issue of poor budget implementation.

With a staggering N58.472 trillion involved across various budgets, the concerns are not just academic; they hit at the very heart of national development and the welfare of citizens. The core of the problem, as highlighted by the Senate, lies in a disturbing pattern characterized by ‘zero or little releases.’ This means that despite budgets being passed and funds theoretically allocated, the actual disbursement and utilization of these funds for intended projects and services remain woefully inadequate.

Such failures have far-reaching consequences. They stall critical infrastructure projects, hinder social programs, undermine economic growth initiatives, and ultimately erode public trust in governance. When ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) don’t receive the funds required to execute their mandates, it creates a bottleneck that stifles progress across all sectors.

The Senate’s move to take up the economic team on this issue signals a serious intent to demand accountability and identify root causes. Is it a problem of planning, capacity, political will, or systemic inefficiencies? Whatever the reasons, the legislature is clearly pushing for a decisive shift from the current trajectory of underperformance.

As citizens, we keenly await the outcome of these deliberations. Effective budget implementation isn’t just about spending money; it’s about delivering on promises, driving development, and improving the quality of life for millions of Nigerians. It’s time for action that translates budgeted figures into tangible results.

Source: Original Article