ANPP decries poor budget implementation

[TGD]

 IN consonance with its role as a watchdog, the All Nigerian People's Party (ANPP) has alerted on the poor implementation of the budget since the inception of the People's Democratic Party (PDP)-led administration.

The party noted that the situation had been compounded by unbridled corruption and poor fiscal discipline by those entrusted to administer the country.

In a statement, by the party's National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Emma Eneukwu, the party enjoined the National Assembly to leave no stone unturned in ascertaining the reasons for the perennial failure of the nation's budget.

The party charged lawmakers to carry out necessary review in the budgeting system so as to ensure transparency and effectiveness of the budget system.

The ANPP maintained that fiscal discipline, accountability, effective allocation and efficient public service were the ingredients the country need now more than ever to curb the recurring decimal of failed budgets, for Nigerians to benefit from the abundant resources was endowed with.

The party's position was premeditated by media reports about the 2012 Open Budget Index released by the International Budget Partnership in Washington DC last week, wherein Nigeria was scored 16 per cent.

The biennial survey, which commenced in 2006, assessed whether the central government in each country surveyed made key budget documents available to the public, as well as whether the statistics contained in the documents were comprehensive, timely and useful.

The ANPP expressed disappointment that Nigeria's score of 16 per cent showed consistent descent in the transparent process expected of governments in the management of public resources.

It noted: "First of all, it is a universally accepted norm and a manifest truth that a government's transparency in budgeting is tantamount to transparency in the use of the people's resources. Any underhandedness in whatever guise is a deliberate attempt to obfuscate the people and short-change the nation.

"In this regard, the PDP-led Federal Government is guilty of progressively taking our great nation down the abyss of fiscal doom. In 2006 Nigeria was scored 20 per cent; in 2008 it was 19 per cent; and in 2010 it was 18 per cent.

"In fact, when compared with other 100 countries surveyed, who scored an average of 43 per cent, our performance is appalling to say the least. This reality should worry every patriotic citizen.

"Secondly, the Senate last week also lamented how the budget is not serving the people and the nation. The Senate President, David Mark, said inter alia: ''Over the years, our budgets have not brought growth, have not improved the employment rate and have not brought dividends of democracy to Nigerians, as fast as expected.''



The Guardian