Politics

NASS and Four Other Entities Receive ₦109 Billion Allocation in August

Published by Tope Fakinlede on August 11th, 2024.

NASS and Four Other Entities Receive ₦109 Billion Allocation in August

In the midst of Nigeria’s escalating cost-of-living crisis, the National Assembly and four other federal agencies have received a combined ₦109 billion in statutory allocations within the first few days of August 2024, according to a report by Saturday FIRST CLASS GISTS

The National Assembly had previously increased its 2024 budget from ₦197.93 billion to ₦344.85 billion, marking the highest budget ever allocated to the legislative body.

The 2024 Appropriation Bill also saw an increase in statutory transfers—from ₦1.38 trillion to ₦1.74 trillion—allocated to various agencies including the National Judicial Council, Niger Delta Development Commission, Universal Basic Education Commission, National Assembly, Public Complaints Commission, Independent National Electoral Commission, National Human Rights Commission, North-East Development Commission, Basic Healthcare Provision Fund, and the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure. This information is detailed in a document titled ‘House of Representatives Federal Republic of Nigeria Order Paper’, dated December 30, 2023.

The updated allocations include: National Judicial Council ₦341.63 billion (up from ₦165 billion), Niger Delta Development Commission ₦338.93 billion (up from ₦324.85 billion), Universal Basic Education Commission ₦263.04 billion (up from ₦251.47 billion), National Assembly ₦344.85 billion (up from ₦197.93 billion), and Public Complaints Commission ₦14.46 billion (up from ₦13.69 billion).

Further budget analysis indicates that the federal and state assemblies, along with their agencies, will spend approximately ₦724 billion this year. Additionally, the combined salaries and allowances for federal and state lawmakers are projected to total about ₦50 billion for the year.

Data from the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Allocation Commission reveals that the 109 Senate members will receive ₦8.67 billion in salaries and allowances, while the 360 members of the House of Representatives will get ₦24.43 billion. Allowances include constituency allowances, duty tour allowances, estacode, recess, and severance gratuity.

For instance, the Senate President’s allowances amount to about ₦33.29 million, including annual constituency allowance, recess allowance, and severance gratuity.

Recent records from GovSpend, a civic tech platform tracking federal expenditure, show that between August 2 and August 4, 2024, the National Assembly, National Judicial Council, Niger Delta Development Commission, Universal Basic Education Commission, and the Federal Ministry of Works collectively received ₦109 billion. On August 4, the National Assembly received ₦28.74 billion, the NJC received ₦28.47 billion, the NDDC received ₦28.24 billion, and the UBEC received ₦21.92 billion.

On August 2, 2024, the Ministry of Works made several payments, including ₦612 million to Apex Global Trend Concept Nigeria Ltd for solar streetlight installations, ₦561 million to Brighttech Resources Ltd for drainage repairs, and ₦637 million to Nasamu Ultimate Concerns Ltd for bridge rehabilitation.

Debo Adeniran, Chairman of the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, commented to SUNDAY PUNCH that excessive government spending will persist until a new constitution is established to regulate public expenditures and oversight.

“We can’t determine if the amount is excessive without a detailed budget breakdown. The government has a history of profligacy, and until a new constitution is in place to oversee and control spending, these issues will continue,” Adeniran said.