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Olugbemi. Adeyinka Ogunleye
1 month ago
Overview
Analyst questions FG's 2025 budget over curious allocations
Waziri Adio, a respected public policy analyst and founder of the Agora Policy think tank, has raised critical concerns over “curious” allocations in the federal government’s proposed 2025 budget, questioning its transparency and priorities. Writing in his column on Sunday, Adio highlighted what he described as puzzling expenditures, including ₦146.14 billion allocated for the Lagos Green Line Metro Rail Phase 1. “Why is a state-specific project being funded from the federal Ministry of Transport’s budget? Shouldn’t MOFI [Ministry of Finance Incorporated] raise its counterpart funding independently?” he asked.
Adio also flagged a proposed ₦238.05 billion for a hospital under the Nigeria Intelligence Agency (NIA), contrasting it with the entire Ministry of Health’s capital budget of ₦653.61 billion. “Does this allocation pass the test of necessity, transparency, or even regeneration?” he queried. Further, he expressed concern about a one-line allocation of ₦761.97 billion for special projects and ₦50 billion for a building for the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). “The FIRS already receives 4% of collections and commands a substantial budget. Why this additional expense,” Adio probed.
Addressing some of the unaccounted expenditures, Adio noted the absence of allocations for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the presidential jet purchase. “Are these tucked away or disguised under different names? Citizens deserve clarity on how public funds are spent,” he said. The public policy analyst also emphasized the importance of holding the government accountable. “We are citizens, not subjects. Our democracy demands transparency and stewardship from those in power,” he stated.
Credit: Guardian
