Political leaders often listen to advice or work on genuine concerns of the people of the country. They even discard the words of their perceived or confirmed opponents, hence Nigeria still lags behind when it comes to good governance. El-Rufai has given his view, it’s now over to them to listen and use the advice.
President Bola Tinubu has presented the 2025 appropriation bill to the National Assembly as expected of him. The budget is under scrutiny of the lawmakers, who have no gut to challenge or confront President Tinubu. And while the lawmakers were deliberating on the bill, Bello El-Rufai, a member of the House of Representatives from Kaduna North raised an issue.
He specifically told the assembly that buying new cars, utensils and other materials every year is wrong because they do not expire. Most definitely, one will always find provisions for new cars, renovation of secretariats, lodges, presidential houses in the budget on the yearly basis. They do not expire, what is then the essence of making provisions for them if not to embezzle the taxpayer’s money?
In fact, it’s even transparent at the national level because the duplicity of the house. At the state level, one can hardly get insight into the budget as the state lawmakers dance to the tune of dictating governors.
The 11th Assembly spent billions of naira to purchase cars for the 109 senators and 360 House of Representatives members. Ministries, departments and agencies budget for new cars, office equipment on yearly basis and with nothing to show for them. That’s what Bello El-Rufai was trying to say.
Almost 10 billion naira would be spent on the trips and refreshments for the president and his vice im the 2025 budget. One should wonder for what purpose? The vice presidential quarters would also be renovated with billions of naira. Recall that the Federal Capital Territory minister Nyesom Wike spent five billion naira to renovate the vice president’s house this year.
Bello El-Rufai is saying that enough is enough. They need to stop being wasteful.
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