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Presidency: Why There is No Mass Release of Budget Funds 02 Aug 2012 Font Size: a / A Doyin-Okupe05032011.jpg - Doyin-Okupe05032011.jpg Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe By Chuks Okocha The presidency has again defended its approach to the implementation of the 2012 budget that has put it on a collision course with the National Assembly, stating that it cannot order the mass release of funds to the ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) of government. Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, told reporters in Abuja yesterday that the presidency was being methodical in its implementation of the budget and attributed the perceived delay in the release of funds to the MDAs to the need to observe due process. Besides, he said another problem affecting the quick release of funds appropriated for the 2012 fiscal year, was the non-availability of funds, as more than N1 trillion of the budget needed to be borrowed for its implementation. His defence came ahead of today’s scheduled appearance of the Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, before the Senate to explain how the presidency has been implementing this year’s Appropriation Act. He said the presidency could not order the mass release of the appropriated funds to the MDAs because their receipt of funds was dependent on their capacity to manage the huge release of funds. According to him, to release such funds without due process is to short circuit the laws passed by the National Assembly, which requires specific conditions before contracts are awarded. He, however, assured Nigerians that the level of the budget’s execution would have risen to between 70 and 80 per cent by the end of the year. “This budget, if we go by what the House of Representatives claim that all that the Federal Government has done by July 30 was 34 per cent that means that the Federal Government has utilised 34 per cent of the budget in just two-and-half months. “A budget is supposed to be for a whole year. That means that in the next nine-and-half months, even going by the same pace, it would have hit 70 per cent. This pace will even increase. This year, there is no way it will not hit at least between 70 and 80 per cent,” he added. According to him, “Before any contract is awarded, there are certain conditions that must be met. Some of these include the mandatory 12 weeks announcement and expression of interest and the due process before the contract is awarded. “This process is part of the laws of the federation passed by the National Assembly and it cannot be short-circuited.” Giving details of the implementation of budgets in the last few years, Okupe said the 2007, 2008 and 2009 budgets were implemented up to 70 per cent, while for the 2010 budget, N900 billion out of some N1.4 trillion budgeted for capital expenditure, was released to the MDAs. He said government was working assiduously to achieve the faithful implementation of the budget, adding that as part of the efforts, ministers had been taking their turn to brief President Goodluck Jonathan on the implementation of the budget as it affects each ministry. “The most recent of such exercise was two days ago when the Ministers of Health and Agriculture took their turn. “Now, this budget was signed into law around the middle of April. Between then and July 20, N404 billion or so had been released and about N300 billion plus has been expended. “The ministries said that 56 per cent of what had been released has been expended. But the Assembly is saying that because money has been budgeted, it ought to be released as per the quarter they are due. “Though this is fiscally unadvisable, no serious manager of a nation’s resources will dispense money in that manner. “Besides, I want to bring up the fact that there is a budget deficit of over a trillion naira in the budget. The implication of which is some part of the money required to fund the budget will be borrowed. “So it does not make economic sense to borrow money and give the MDAs when they have not exhausted the money given them before as government will be paying interest of up to 15 per cent on money that will just be sitting in the bank for the MDAs waiting to be applied,” he explained. He added that money is disbursed by the Federal Ministry of Finance, stressing that at the end of every quarter or month, not all the money that is required is available and intact. “There are issues about accounts receivable from the NNPC and so on and it is not always a free flow. But what is true is that there is no department or ministry in Nigeria today that is unable to perform because it lacks fund. Virtually all of them still have substantial funds in their capital budget accounts with the CBN,” he said. He appealed to the National Assembly to bear with the presidency as both arms of government are working towards the well-being of Nigerians. “The current misunderstanding between the Federal Ministry of Finance and the National Assembly is not necessary. I am convinced beyond doubt that the National Assembly means well for the Nigerian people. “The driving force of both arms of the National Assembly and the presidency is to ensure that the budget is implemented and executed to provide impetus for economic growth and the development of the country. The bandying of statistics and figures about the implementation is not necessary,” he added. |
HNosegbe: Actually I'm with Sanusi with regard to the economics of fuel subsidy. Ordinarily, I would prefer that funds currently being used to subsidize fuel importation be redirected to support labour-intensive industries like the textile sector and help create jobs.Prosecute (and jail) millionaire subsidy thieves, in this country? With the kind of judiciary we have? When an ordinary 'certificate forgers' and confirmed perjury perpetrator was let off the hook on technical ground. I pray it does happen, but I know for sure that 'una go wait tire.' As per dealing with profligacy in government , well that is in the hands of the people. Until we are united enough in our opposition to the 'waste' it wont stop. What more can unite us other than full removal of the subsidy? Right now, the average Nigeria is part of those 'looting' the country. By encouraging the wasteful subsidy with their protestation and opposition to the removal, they are helping mortgage the future of their unborn. They have indirectly given all arms of government the opportunity to under-change them. We can continue arguing to and forth on which should come first, while the subsidy thief perfect more strategies, and discover other loopholes to enrich themselves, and government their waste! I dey laugh! |
Omexonomy: Haba? How will somebody contributed to condeming his own brain child. How posibble is thatI tire oo. How can a kettle call pot black? Buhari stood aside, arms akimbo, lip-sealed, while corpers and innocent civilians were wasted by his army of almajiri (now transformed to Boko Haram. How can we expect such a man, and IBB to condemn Boko Haram? Oga Clark, forget story, it's not gonna happen. What need to be done is to declare state of emergency in those states noted as hotbed of terrorism in the North, and appoint no nonsense, reputable individuals from the NC, and SW to administer them. |
It's no rocket science. Subsidizing fuel 'consumption' is never the way to go. Subsidy, if needed at all in any sector, should be in production, NOT in consumption. |
jmaine: Una go wait for impeachment tire . . .Chil till when the NASS over stretch their selfish politics over constituency projects . . .Abeg tell them clowns! ![]() |
Gbawe: Oga, shut up and move on instead of remaining here and disgracing yourself. Your olodo rants , lacking sense and only full of vitriol, keep exposing you as a hateful, feudalisitc and clannish creature who cannot take a break, even for a second, from an animal-like and savage hatred of others.I see I hit a raw nerve there. Mr. ACN Propagandist, and resident hypocrite. You can twist and turn all you like, but those like use see through you know your motive. The reason you and your ilk refuse to see this is a straight forward issue that does not require suspension of government business is not unconnected with your job as ACN paid hack. Like I said, everyone with an ounce of gray matter, know that the Senate is simply grandstanding on this issue. And there is no evidence to suggest that the executive team sent to their chamber were unable to provide answers to their enquiry. But hypocrite such as you would rather scheduled business of the executive be put aside to attend a talk show. Well, the Finance Minister had better and more pressing issue to attend at the moment. So folk like you can rant and rave as you like. It's just hot air! |
Gbawe: Ode. "Heat" from an olodo like you? You may not be clever enough to note it, but I am only pointing out and deconstructing your obsessive personality before the forum lest you engage in revisionism on another thread to the effect of character assassination. No one sees any "heat". All that is obvious is a totally obsessed character, one of many here who all coincidentally happen to be in the fan club of this discredited Government, chasing others around with uncouth and unrequited agbero rants. It is obvious for all to see that you lack basic civility and decorum.ACN progandist, The feeling is mutual. I am sure people will start taking you serious, when they see you take on Tinubu, and other thieves in ACN with same vigour, and venom you put in GEj issue. But of course we know that is not possible, as you are ACN's Laptop 1! Resident Hypocrite! |
pcicero: @ PointB:I never said it was wrong to invite, even though they can resolve the difference without her presence. My point is that, I do not agree that the executives should not honour those international commitment because of this matter. Secondly, it was also wrong for the senate not to grant audience to the executive delegation. I think it is demeaning to walk them out without hearing what they had to say. What if the had all the answers? |
Gbawe: Here we go again. Every time you open your mouth, it is obvious the inferiority complex, paranoia and innate indoctrination in hatred that drives your 24/7 obsessive malevolence towards others. Read again and see your guilty conscience exposed. Please, submit your own argument and leave Gbawe out of your utterances that only reveals poor breeding.Chairman of Resident hypocrite, if you cannot stand the kitchen's heat, there is a door. Attempting to project your fears, weakness, and short-coming on me, has failed severally. Come up with something novel. |
Gbawe: You see how these things pan out? Folks like you will never stop personalizing issues and objectifying others as 'bogeymen'. I suppose no less can be expected from a character indoctrinated to running around ,in fear and paranoia, looking for "enemies" everywhere. When I then respond, you will all be running from pillar to post creating 10 pages all devoted to vacuous arguments. You will say I think too highly of myself yet folks like you can never ever contribute your opinion without mentioning Gbawe.Look at this clown accusing me of creating 10 pages of cyclic argument, when it is obvious he is the champion of long essays. Tell us, in this thread, who has longest and most boring post so far? Do you think I have the time for such, I mean, do you think I am a paid ACN propagandist like you? Anyone with an ounce of gray matter within their skull knows that the minister alluded to amount release so far as comprising the 56%, while the senators are viewing it from the amount utilized. Now, the first quest is: D[b]o they need the Finance Minister to school them on the 'obvious' fact that some MDA have not utilised their allocation?[/b] Perhaps, yes, as some of these people in the senate are dullards. The second question is must the executive business be held hostage in order to reconcile this figure? Clearly, it is a NO. Their is clearly no reason for the senators grandstanding, unless there is something they are not revealing. But we have a lot daft figures running around with the notion that this 'reconciliation' and it's attendant paparazzi is more important than the Minister's business trip. That you lead that pack is not surprising, judging from your antecedent. Fortunately, some of are not that daft, nor are we all resident hypocrites! |
jmaine: It's actually sad seeing folks trying to twist Iweala true assertion's . . .No, these guys are not ready to use their head. They'll rather follow their commander in propaganda Gbawe, to castigate those who are actually doing their job. To the likes of Gbawe, another endless talk show at the Senate is more important to Nigeria, rather than a pre-scheduled investment forum the Minister choose to attend. Critics would have also believe that the government representative led by Pius Ayim could not attend to their enquiry, but those who actually see that the whole saga is just nothing but grandstanding and fight for their bellies, know that the figures are self explanatory. |
@op, Why don't you spend same amount of energy and vigour pursuing Boko Haram, rather than castigating those who are really doing their job. Na wa for some people sha! |
Isn't that obvious? When the politically minded military boys have been shown the door by Obj. |
@'Junkie Let me help you out. ![]() Again, ![]() Kobojunkie: @Poster, here is me daring you to name two things I have said of Goodluck JOnathan, or any other Nigerian politician to date that has turned out to be WRONG. SHOW IN MY WORDS ME STATING SOMETHING THAT TURNED OUT TO BE WRONG ABOUT ANY OF YOUR BELOVED POLITICIANS IN NIGERIA. This is a dare, and I am waiting.@Op Spot on bros. |
The Legislators are quite interesting people. So to assuage their overbloated ego, all government commitment must be put on hold so that they can defend why the need constituency budgetary allocation despite the number of such uncompleted projects littered all of the places. On the other hand, I think they are jobless. What is hard to understand that based on Ngozi's submission 56% of budgeted figures has been released. Shouldn't sensible people be worried why the released fund are not utilised by the MDA and others the funds were release to? Is that not part of their oversight function? Must Ngozi be there to explain their jobs to them? Are they kids? It's is quite amusing for them to infer that the other government functionaries who attended the session are not in positions to attend to their inquiry. Some of these senators are clowns, and grossly incompetent. How did we end up with such people in the first place? |
Boko Haram in the Sokoto? hmmm Now the Caliphate welcomes home their arrant and prodigal son - Boko Haram. |
David Mark might be a lucky bastard, but while the likes of Rochas, Chime, et al remains my number choice for 2015 if GEJ does not contest, this lucky bastard is certainly a PLAN B! Chuck it up the to 'luck' if you would. |
jmaine: The useless House of reps membersDon't mind those clowns. They want her to open the treasury for them overnight. So that they can attain 100% budget implementation in a day! In which clime is that done? Clueless clowns! |
Meanwhile we are still waiting for the House of Reps member (Zakari Mohammed) who claimed that the budget is "about 34per cent of the budget has been implemented.” to present his facts or forever remain silent. |
FG to inaugurate SWF by year end–Okonjo-Iweala July 31, 2012 by Ademola Alawiye with agency report 3 Comments Minister of Finance and coordinating minister for the economy, Mrs. Ngozi Okojo-Iweala The Minister of Finance and coordinating minister of the economy, Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, said on Monday that the Federal Government would inaugurate the Sovereign Wealth Fund by the end of the year. Okonjo-Iweala said on the sidelines of a conference in London that the government would announce the management team for the fund in August. She also disclosed that the government would issue a second Eurobond of at least $600m next year which could be open to members of its diaspora. Reuters quoted Okonjo-Iweala as saying, “The members of the SWF board have been chosen and will be announced in August once due diligence has been carried out. By September/October, we should be getting the team in place and we should be able to inaugurate by the end of the year. We are in the last stage of due diligence. ,”The fund will be inaugurated with an initial $1bn,” according to the minister, after the government gained approval in June from Nigeria’s state governors, who initially blocked the savings fund, saying it was unconstitutional. “We’re at a stage now where it’s accepted by the governors. The issue is how much goes into the fund not whether the fund should exist,” she added. The fund was supposed to replace the Excess Crude Account, in which Nigeria saves oil revenues over a benchmark price, currently $72 a barrel. Governors get a portion of any money withdrawn from the ECA but the SWF won’t give those guarantees, which means they are likely to want most of Nigeria’s savings to be kept in the ECA. The aim of the SWF is to save money for future generations, to finance infrastructure and to defend the economy against commodity price shocks. Analysts said that the ECA could be easily dipped into by government. The account contained more than $20bn in 2007 but despite years of record high oil prices it now holds around $6.9bn.Nigeria issued a debut $500m Eurobond in January last year, which was 2.5 times oversubscribed. http://www.punchng.com/business/money/fg-to-inaugurate-swf-by-year-end-okonjo-iweala/ |
Okonjo-Iweala Insists Budget’s Attained 56% Execution 31 Jul 2012 Font Size: a / A 230712N.Ngozi-Okonjo-Iweala.jpg - 230712N.Ngozi-Okonjo-Iweala.jpg Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala By Francis Ndubuisi and Muhammed Bello In a swift reaction to Sunday’s tirade by the House of Representatives on the implementation of the 2012 budget, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to the prudent management of the nation’s resources, adding that this has enabled the government to achieve 56 per cent budget execution by June 20. The House had over the weekend taken exception to the “poor and selective” implementation of the 2012 budget by the executive arm of government and the attitude of officials of government saddled with the responsibility of implementing the budget. It specifically singled out Okonjo-Iweala and accused her of subjecting the 2012 Appropriation Act to her personal whims and caprices which, the House Committee Chairman on Media and Public Affairs, Hon. Zakari Mohammed, who addressed the press on the issue, said was unlawful. “It is not within her powers to pick and choose projects and programmes to fund as has been the case with the Appropriation Act, 2012. Her piecemeal and discretionary release of funds for projects, contrary to the schedule approved in the Appropriation Act, is unlawful. She is, in fact, breaking the law,” he had said. But in a statement signed by her Senior Special Assistant, Paul Nwabuikwu, Monday, the minister gave a breakdown of the milestones of the budget, stating that the total capital budget for 2012 was N1.3 trillion, of which N404 billion had been released so far and N324 billion had been backed by cash. The percentage of the cash-backed portion that had been utilised, she maintained, was 56 per cent. She explained that the improvement in the implementation ratio from 39.2 per cent by the end of May to 56 per cent utilisation of cash-backed resources by June 20 was made possible by the direct leadership of President Goodluck Jonathan “who is personally leading the drive for better budget performance.” Okonjo-Iweala assured the public that the 2012 budget was being managed in a way that protects and enhances the best interests of the country, stating that “transparency and prudence remain the key priorities of the Federal Government in the management of the 2012 budget. “Our objective is to achieve both higher budget implementation and better management of the country’s resources. “We will not toy with public resources because they belong to all Nigerians.” She expressed confidence that there would be further improvement in the level of implementation before the end of the year, stressing that to maximise results, the ministry was careful and methodical in releasing funds to ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) of government. She stressed that given the rate of utilisation, there was still room for more implementation, adding that her ministry was not holding any budgeted funds back and that more releases of funds would be made in the near future. Also joining the fray Monday, the Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, said that by embarking on the execution of constituency projects in the 2012 budget rather than completing the old ones, the legislature had slowed down the implementation of the budget considerably. He told State House correspondents after his ministry presented its budget performance before the president that the rift between the legislature and the executive was an indication that old projects should be completed before new ones are initiated. The minister said: “But there are also those that have not been completed, so if you insist that we do new programmes, obviously there will not be enough money to complete those other previous constituency projects that were there. “If you go through the records, you will find that there are a lot of constituency projects that are yet to be completed because those people who were representatives of the people before are no longer there, they have left. However, the new members are insisting that new projects must be executed first.” Throwing more light on the delayed implementation of the budget, Chukwu said: “The reason is the procurement process; the budget was signed in April and it is after the budget has been signed and MDAs have been advised on what has been appropriated, that they will begin the procurement process.” He said his ministry had attained 39 per cent budget implementation so far, blaming the National Assembly’s reduction of the ministry’s budget proposal on disease prevention, surveillance and control from N582 million to only N78 million for the ministry's inability to effectively respond to emergencies. He listed such emergency situations to include Boko Haram attacks, road accidents like where fuel-laden tankers had fallen, and similar disasters where the ministry is ordinarily expected to intervene to check the spread of epidemics and other health challenges. The executive arm of government and the lower legislative chamber have been at daggers drawn for almost two weeks now over the implementation of the 2012 budget. The imbroglio started when the budget execution was considered at a plenary of the House of Representatives on July 19, and a motion was passed blaming the president for its poor execution. During the heated debate, the Minority Leader of the House, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, also stated that the House would kick start the process to impeach the president if he failed to attain 100 per cent execution of the budget by September 16 when the legislators returned from their recess. However, in response to the debate and threat by the House, Okonjo-Iweala had said last week that 100 per cent implementation was not possible and blamed the inclusion of constituency projects into the budget, which had to go through due process before the contracts are awarded, for the hitches in its implementation. http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/okonjo-iweala-insists-budget-s-attained-56-execution/121213/ |
johnlittle: Where did the house of rep member generate his own figure from? No oversight, no probe, no summons, no public hearing, no resolution of the House to that effect and somebody elected from one bush constituency in the North jumps out to say 36 % and some dunce on NL take this serious. This is why I hate coming to NL. So much gullibility.Pay a little more attention, and you will discover that bigotry, and ethnicism is the overriding rationale for most of these anti-GEJ goons. |
@'junkie i If Nigeria has no problem producing wheat, what then are you waiting? Get down to work and start producing the wheat and prove your point, rather than this frequent repetitive high stories. Or you expect government to also go into wheat production? |
aribisala0: I think that is quite clear really.It is a tendency for the executive arm to presume supremacy over the legislature,to demand subordination,to resent and resist challenge and to expect that their proposals are "passed" unaltered.What is clearer is the recklessness, kleptomania, and entrenched corruption that have become synonymous with the Legislators, especially the lower house. Search for a trustworthy Rep is akin to looking for a needle in a hay stack. Until the reps clean their acts, they will remain resented by the people. We are no fools. We see people fighting for their bellies, in the name of honorables! |
HammedSodiqq: This woman- Okonjo Iwala is more knowledgeable in finance and budget implementation, is the president doesn't listen to him, who should he listen to? Farouk, Hembe, GBAJABIAMILA or who? They are taking it too far.Lol, God bless you for saying that. Perhaps, Farouk will do a better job. But he has to wait until 2015! Team GEJ is not going anywhere. Let haters tear their hearts out! |
Naijagunner83: Common keep quiet. If you don't know any better you shut up. I pass through Onitsha -owerri that road is still under construction and about 90% completed. The Onithsha-Enugu is being rehabilitated but work is slow.You guys should not relent in telling the true story, to shame the hypocrites who troop here to condemn the president, solely because their candidate did not win. Shameless hypocrites the Anti-GEJ troopers! |
thomason: Bros, why do you believe the NOI figure? I wont wanna dabble into much argument until she can boldy counter the Reps claim with proof.She is the Finance Minister, I believe she has the figure. It is not enough for the Reps to dispute her figures without evidence. The onus is on those who dispute her figure to support theirs with evidence. Disputing her figures, and asking us to believe you, is akin to taking us for a ride. The reps, as we know it, have serious integrity issue. Anyone who believes them without questioning need serious head examination. |
Parnassuss: True. I'm all for GEJ's impeachment and I had shouted it a long time before this present predicament. But I'm very uncomfortable with the reps motives in this as this comes during a very, very pivotal period in the fight against oil thieves. I want the fight (with 'the cabal') to progress a bit so we can see if GEJ has reached the breaking point that'll see him finally emerge as a man. I know that if GEJ gets impeached this way the SS will erupt and that, the north cannot afford.Indeed, all this impeachment talk, started at the peak of the oil subsidy and faroukgate. Who is deceiving who? |
thomason: Bro, this is not criticism but fact, having Vast experience in world bank doesnt mean she cant be checked. However, she was politically appointed and she is just being loyal to her boss.So it now claims and counter claims? Anyway, I believe the NOI figure, let the Reps 'prove' their figures! |
size38: What do u expect from a house filled with hundred criminals? Otedola called them hungry people and non has the guts to challenge him anywhere. House of reps members are talking trash to me.I wonder oo. They are on vengeance mission. Looking an avenue to bolster their battered image. I will be watching these guys closely, and of course be having a good laugh. Otedola dealt them a crude blow, now they want another scar from NOI. ![]() |
Between a world renown Economist, and a political spokesman, do we need to worry about who is on point on economic issue? If not for sentiments, and bigotry, the difference is very clear! |
Apparently Okonjo Iweala is behind the moves to expose the oil subsidy thieves. Having engineered the exposure through the attempt at complete fuel subsidy removal, continuing the onslaught through exposing of sleaze and tightening of the treasury is too much for some of the thieves in the House of Reps. Stopping GEJ, can only be achieved if they can get at NOI and other 'unelected appointees' in their calculation. When you fight corruption, it fights back. Well, this divide and rule tactics is pointless, and will never work. NOI stays! NOI and GEJ, Nigerians are behind you.No shaking!!! The House of Reps should clean their Augean stable first and foremost. It currently stink to high heavens. By the way, we know there are still some good people in the House of Rep, we expect them to raise up to the challenge, and call their 'thieving' colleagues to order. Nuff said. |
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