News
BudgIT decries extension of 2023 budgets to December 2024
- /home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 27
https://naijablitznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Screenshot_20240628-172922.png&description=BudgIT decries extension of 2023 budgets to December 2024', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
- Share
- Tweet /home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 72
https://naijablitznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Screenshot_20240628-172922.png&description=BudgIT decries extension of 2023 budgets to December 2024', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
BudgIT, a leading civic-tech organisation promoting transparency, accountability, and effective service delivery in Nigeria, has decried the proposed elongation of the implementation period for the 2023 Approved Budget and 2023 Supplementary Budget from the proposed termination date of December 31, 2023, to December 31, 2024.
The organisation described the proposed running of all the budgets simultaneously as an anomaly with no precedence. It would be recalled that the 2023 Approved Budget of N21.83 trillion, signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari in January 2023, was designed to run for 12 calendar months from January to December, as is the practice globally. In addition, while the 2024 Appropriation Bill was being drafted, the 2023 Supplementary Budget of N2.17 trillion was passed by the National Assembly and assented to by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu barely two months before the end of the 2023 fiscal year.
For a brief period, Nigeria returned to the January – December budget calendar in 2019 but retrogressed from the 2020 fiscal year. From 2020 to date, the Federal Government has routinely extended the implementation period for the capital budgets beyond 12 calendar months—a practice that negates the principle of annuality of public budgets. The National Assembly had initially extended the implementation of the 2023 Approved Budget and 2023 Supplementary Budget to June 30, 2024, and now to December 31, 2024. If allowed to be implemented, the practice would convert Nigeria’s annual budget into a biennial one, a practice neither provided for by the 1999 Constitution nor the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2007.
More worrisome is the fact that the Federal Government is currently drafting another 2024 Supplementary budget, which it intends to implement alongside the 2023 Approved Budget, 2023 Supplementary Budget and 2024 Approved Budget, thereby resulting in the simultaneous implementation of four budgets—an anomaly with no precedence. Standard practice should be that projects not catered to within a fiscal year are rolled over to the budget of a new fiscal year.
“The concurrent implementation of four budgets will lead to severe budget credibility issues, as revenues projected in 2024 alone would most likely be used in implementing four different budgets, negatively impacting service delivery in critical social sectors and the provision of essential public infrastructure”, said Gabriel Okeowo, BudgIT’s Country Director.
BudgIT identified many frivolous items in the 2023 Approved Budget and 2023 Supplementary Budget that will compete with essential projects in the 2024 Budget for the meagre resources available to the Federal Government.
Okeowo has therefore called on the Federal Government and the National Assembly to amend the complications of this convulated budgeting system and return to a disciplined January to December Budget Calendar.
“We also urge the Federal Government to identify and implement only the projects and programmes that align with Nigeria’s overarching development goals, reduce inequality, and improve the lives of citizens, the bulk of whom are multi dimensionally poor,” he said.
News
DSS intercepts arms shipment bound for bandit kingpin, nabs suspect
Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have arrested a suspected arms courier in Kano State allegedly transporting weapons intended for delivery to a notorious bandit leader operating in Zamfara.
An operational report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Saturday said the suspect was apprehended on Friday in Gezawa Local Government Area following actionable intelligence.
According to the report, the suspect was intercepted while moving a cache of arms and ammunition from Maigatari Local Government Area of Jigawa to Funtua in Katsina State for onward delivery to criminal elements.
“Items recovered from the suspect include three AK-47 rifles, four rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) tubes and warheads, as well as two empty magazines.”
The report said preliminary investigations linked the consignment to a suspected bandit kingpin believed to be operating in parts of Zamfara.
“The suspect confessed that he was contracted to transport the weapons from Maigatari to Funtua and was promised a payment of N450,000 upon successful delivery.
“Investigations are ongoing to unravel the network behind the arms movement and identify other collaborators involved in the operation,” the report said.
The report described the arrest as a major breakthrough in ongoing efforts to disrupt the supply of arms and ammunition to criminal groups responsible for violent attacks, kidnappings and other security threats in the North-West.
It added that the suspect was in DSS custody and would face further investigation and possible prosecution in accordance with the law.
According to the report, security agencies have continued to intensify intelligence-driven operations aimed at dismantling logistics networks that sustain banditry, terrorism and other forms of organised crime across the country.
(NAN)
News
Chimamanda Adichie alleges cover-up, negligence following son’s death
Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has accused Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital of medical negligence and an subsequent attempt to cover up the circumstances surrounding her son’s death by taking her pursuit of justice for her late son, Nkanu Nnamdi, to the public.
In a four-part series shared on Instagram, Adichie detailed a devastating sequence of events. According to her, her son suffered a hypoxic brain injury caused by improper sedation administered by an anesthesiologist, Dr. Titus Ogundare, which ultimately resulted in his death.
Beyond the medical tragedy, Adichie alleges that the hospital has engaged in a pattern of dishonest practices. These include:
Issuing an inaccurate death certificate that falsely attributed the cause of death to meningitis.
Failing to provide complete or accurate medical records to her family.
Employing heartless language in legal correspondence, including referring to her son’s death as a “dispute”.
Stalling and attempting to obstruct a coroner’s inquest, which was originally initiated by the hospital itself. Describing the immense toll this has taken on her.
She said, “I wake up every single morning with my heart racing… The ultimate and utter loneliness of grief is that only you can know the true depth of your despair. I long for, at least, peace to mourn, but Euracare Hospital has robbed me even of that”.
The author also recounted an encounter with a senior figure in the hospital’s ownership who allegedly attempted to discourage her from pursuing legal action by suggesting her reputation could be dragged in the mud during court proceedings. Adichie said this was a manipulative and threatening message.
“An inquest is a public judicial inquiry designed to establish the circumstances surrounding a death,” she stated.
Adichie explained, that it is not a trial or a claim for damages, but simply a search for the truth. By making these details public, she hopes to demand the accountability and transparency that she feels have been denied to her family.
“I have decided to make this letter public because to keep silent about Euracare’s evil is to enable it”. She stated.
News
Tinubu condemns death of retired general Rabe in kidnappers’ custody
President Bola Tinubu has expressed deep sorrow over the death of retired Major-General Rabe Abubakar, who was reportedly abducted by armed criminals in Katsina State and later died while still in their custody.
According to a State House statement issued on Saturday, the president said he received the news of the former military officer’s death with “shock and sadness,” describing the incident as a tragic reminder of the security challenges facing parts of the country.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed shock over the death of retired Major-General Rabe Abubakar while in the custody of terrorists in Katsina State,” the statement read.
General Abubakar, who had retired from the Nigerian Armed Forces after a distinguished career, was said to have been travelling to his hometown when he was intercepted and abducted by armed men.
“General Abubakar, after a distinguished career in the military, retired a few years ago. He was on his way to his hometown when the hoodlums captured him,” the statement stated.
The presidency also revealed that the late officer’s wife was taken alongside him and is still being held by the abductors, a detail that has further intensified public concern over the incident.
The president extended condolences to the bereaved family, the people of Katsina State, and the military establishment, describing the loss as painful and unacceptable.
He also reiterated the government’s uncompromising stance on terrorism and kidnapping, warning that the state would not be blackmailed into concessions.
While condemning the attack, Tinubu declared: “Bandits, kidnappers, and sponsors of terror should now surrender or face the full force of the Nigerian State. These windows of surrender will not remain open forever. And no mercy will be shown to those who trade in the blood of Nigerians.”
He further stressed national unity and resilience in the face of insecurity, insisting that the country would ultimately prevail.
“As Nigerians, we must stand united and be assured that the enemies of our nation shall soon be history. We will triumph over terror and continue to build a more prosperous nation,” the President said.
On the broader fight against insecurity, Tinubu said the tragedy should serve as a turning point in Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts, rejecting any form of negotiation with armed groups.
“General Abubakar’s death should further serve as a defining moment in our battle against terrorists and insurgents, never to negotiate with them on any terms, but to continue to treat them as the greatest enemies of our dear nation, who should never be spared,” the statement added.
-
Opinion24 hours agoThree years after : Senator Manu’s unequalled constituency outreach that cuts across Taraba Central (Photos )
-
News24 hours agoAPM 2027 Race Takes Dramatic Turn as Waziri Gains Edge Over Makinde
-
News18 hours agoRetired Major General Dies in Bandits’ Captivity Despite Rescue Efforts
-
News14 hours agoDHQ Reacts As Ex-spokesperson, Gen. Radabe Dies In Bandits’ Den
-
News6 hours agoFinally, ex- Defence spokesperson, Rabe Abubakar buried in Katsina
-
News6 hours agoProtect Vulnerable Benue People From Persistent Attacks, Pope Leo XIV Tells FG
-
News6 hours agoTinubu condemns death of retired general Rabe in kidnappers’ custody
-
News6 hours agoBoard releases lists of successful NSCDC, NIS, NCoS applicants

Warning: Undefined variable $user_ID in /home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/themes/zox-news/comments.php on line 49
You must be logged in to post a comment Login