National Assembly engages civil societies over budget

– Nigerians have described the budget as
#BudgetOfCorruption or #BudgetOfYams
– Over 300 participants representing
different CSOs and NGOs attended the
session
– Saraki said observations and inputs on
the 2016 budget made by the CSOs at the
session would form part of the report of
the senate committee
The Senate president, Bukola Saraki, has
described the 2016 budget as ambitious.
The National Assembly has engaged some
Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) on the
2016 budget which has now been termed
#BugetOfCorruption.
Leading the engagement session, Senate
President, Bukola Saraki on Wednesday,
February 10, said that the ineffective
implementation of past budgets and
abandonment of projects have led to
wastages that have negatively affected
the nation’s economy in the last 16 years.
Furthermore, he noted that as economic
diversification is crucial to the success of
the nation’s economy, the National
Assembly is working to pass laws that will
“boost internally generated revenues by
plugging the loopholes that exist in our
system, and encouraging the small and
medium-scale business owners in our
communities. ”
Saraki who commended the over 100
CSOs that participated in the interactive
session, said: “We know that the work
ahead of us is necessary. We also know
that the road ahead of us will be lined with
challenges. However, we also know that
we cannot do this alone. We need all
hands on deck for this one.
“In this regard, in response to citizen’s
concerns and public expectations, the
8th National Assembly through this
platform and the various others that we
have set up online, will continue to be
accessible to you. We will work tirelessly
to address your concerns’ after all, we are
only here because of you,” he said.
According to the Senate President,
the maiden interactive session between
the National Assembly and CSOs on the
2016 budget was convened to allow both
members of parliament and the CSOs to
“explore new angles, consider fresh
opinions and weigh new suggestions on
the reasonable changes that need to be
made, and on the best way to forge ahead
with the 2016 appropriation process.
“This is not only an opportunity for you to
air your views, it is also a window that has
presented itself that will allow all of us to
work together to pass a budget that we
can all be proud of.
“Therefore, I urge you all to feel free to
point out your genuine concerns about the
budget. Know that your relevant input is
crucial towards ensuring the efficiency and
effectiveness of the National Assembly to
pass a document that we can all be proud
of.
“When the civil society of a nation is
strong, loud and empowered – we are all
better off for it. When the civil society is a
part of the process – with seats of their
own at the decision-making table –
governments become more responsive
and accountable,” he said.
The Senate President also pledged that
the observations and inputs on the 2016
budget made by the CSOs at the session
would form part of the report of the senate
committee on diaspora and civil society
organizations to the senate committee on
appropriation for onward submission to
Senate in plenary.
He called on the CSOs and Nigerians to
continue to support the National
Assembly, as it strives to “acquire and
execute critical and suitable programs that
are highly beneficial to every citizen of this
nation.
“These sessions might be baby steps to
some, but know that little steps are the
beginnings of greater outcomes that lead
to the positive change that Nigerians
voted for at the polls,” he said.
Earlier in her address, the chairman,
senate committee on diaspora and civil
society organizations, Senator Rose Oko,
urged the CSOs to work with the National
Assembly to ensure that there is citizen’s
participation in the 2016 Appropriation
Bill.
“Through your capacities of reach,
advocacy and data collection, your
contribution to this document (2016
budget) will not only enhance our
mandate of appropriation for government,
but also to ensure that there is citizen
participation in the decision making
process of government at this crucial
level,” Senator Oko stated.
Over 300 participants representing
different CSOs and NGOs attended the
session. Some of the CSOs that
participated in the interactive session
include: PLAC, CENCOJ, BudgIT, HOMEF,
ActionAid, CODE, EiE Nigeria, FEPAR,
BMGF, NNNGO, Oxfam, ONE Campaign,
OSIWA, YIAGA, NDI, CSR in Action, among
others.
Meanwhile, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the
minister of Information and Culture has
disowned a budgetary allocation of N398
million as being part of the budget
estimates by his ministry for purchase of
computers.