The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on the National Assembly to reduce the proposed N9.4 billion budget allocated to the presidency for travel, refreshments, and catering materials.
SERAP also urges lawmakers to cut the proposed NN344.85 billion budget for the National Assembly, suggesting that the savings be used to alleviate the budget deficit.
The civil society organisation made the demands in an open letter addressed to the Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas.
In the letter dated 21 December 2024 and signed by its deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP urged the legislators to present a supplementary appropriation bill reflecting the reduced budgets for the presidency and the National Assembly for approval.
The organisation further stated that Akpabio and Abbas should disclose a detailed breakdown of the proposed National Assembly budget of N344.85 billion, including specifics about personnel costs, salaries, and allowances for lawmakers.
It called for the heads of ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) accused of corruption to be invited to explain the whereabouts of missing billions of naira in public funds, as highlighted in the recently released 2021 audited report by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation.
SERAP stated that any unnecessary spending proposed by the presidency and the National Assembly violates the 1999 Constitution.
The organisation emphasised that such extravagant spending is neither necessary nor in the public interest, especially given the country’s dire economic situation and the anticipated borrowing to fund the 2025 budget.
It also maintained that the National Assembly has a transparency obligation to disclose the details and breakdown of the proposed budget for lawmakers. “We urge you to publicly commit to reducing, rather than increasing, the proposed budget of N344.85 billion for 2025.”
SERAP stated that if the National Assembly leadership ignored its demands, it would consider appropriate legal action to compel them to fulfil its constitutional oversight and fiduciary responsibilities.
The organisation said, “The National Assembly seems to be budgeting the same amounts for the same budget items in the 2025 budget as it did in 2024,” the letter observed.
“It would be a grave violation of public trust and the constitutional oath of office for National Assembly members to approve excessive spending for themselves and the presidency.
“Many Nigerians will find it odd, unfair, and unjust that the government and lawmakers are allocating so much money toward these expenses during a public borrowing crisis.
“The proposed expenditures could be better used to improve Nigerians’ access to essential public goods and services. Cutting unnecessary spending by the presidency and the National Assembly would demonstrate that the National Assembly can fulfil its constitutional duty to represent the voices of Nigerians.
“It will also indicate that the body is acting in the best interest of the populace. Nigerians deserve accountable and dedicated public officials, as these officials have a fiduciary duty to the citizens.
“Holding accountable the MDAs responsible for the missing billions of naira in public funds would help address these agencies’ pervasive and systemic corruption.
“In deliberating on the proposed 2025 budget, the National Assembly under your leadership is responsible for prioritising the well-being and prosperity of Nigeria and its citizens.
“The National Assembly also has constitutional and fiduciary responsibilities to ensure that any proposed budgets for the presidency and lawmakers reflect the country’s current economic realities, address the debt crisis, and prevent detrimental economic measures.
“Continued borrowing is neither sustainable nor fair to the Nigerian people. The National Assembly must exercise its constitutional oversight and fiduciary duties to ensure responsible budget spending.
“The proposed spending outlined by the presidency and the National Assembly underscores a lack of political will to reduce governance costs.
“Urgent changes to the country’s fiscal situation are necessary, including spending cuts by the presidency and the National Assembly. Reducing wasteful and seemingly unnecessary expenditures would significantly contribute to resolving the budget deficit and debt challenges.
“The recommended measures would also help ensure that the country’s available resources are spent wisely,” SERAP stated.
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