Excessive Spending Amid Crumbling Infrastructure
Ten Nigerian states spent ₦14.7 billion on refreshments, allowances, and honorariums in nine months despite infrastructure challenges. This excessive spending persists amid worsening infrastructure and rising debt. SaharaReporters reports that state governments prioritize non-essential spending over urgent development needs like roads, healthcare, and clean water.
Detailed Breakdown of Spending
Among the states with the highest spending, Katsina allocated ₦335.6 million for meals and refreshments, while also spending ₦78.2 million on honorariums and sitting allowances between January and September 2024. Bayelsa, meanwhile, spent a staggering ₦1 billion, with ₦334 million dedicated to refreshments and another ₦689.5 million used for allowances. Osun, Ondo, and Plateau states also recorded similar spending, with Osun spending ₦1.291 billion, and Niger State allocating ₦3.351 billion.
Neglect of Basic Needs and Public Services
This excessive expenditure contrasts sharply with the states’ neglect of basic public services. In Osun, for instance, just ₦122 million was earmarked for water projects, despite a larger budget of ₦5.29 billion. Ondo State allocated a mere ₦15 million to drilling boreholes, even as 62% of its population lacks access to clean water. These figures highlight the significant gap between the priorities of state governments and the needs of their citizens.
Impact on Poverty Levels
As Nigeria continues to battle high poverty rates, this lavish spending on non-essentials only exacerbates the situation. According to World Bank projections, by the end of 2024, 40.7% of Nigerians are expected to live below the international poverty line. In 2023, the poverty rate stood at 38.9%, with an alarming 87 million Nigerians struggling to meet basic needs. This growing disparity is largely due to the mismanagement of public funds, which fail to address the country’s most pressing issues.
Underfunded Infrastructure Projects
The allocation of state funds to allowances and refreshments comes at the expense of crucial infrastructure projects. States such as Borno, Yobe, and Kogi, which already suffer from significant infrastructure gaps, are among the worst affected. Poor roads, unreliable electricity, and a lack of access to clean water persist in these regions, where even minimal improvements could dramatically change the lives of residents.
Calls for Reallocation of Resources
Critics argue that if even a small portion of the funds spent on unnecessary allowances and refreshments were redirected to essential infrastructure projects, significant progress could be made. Improved roads, better healthcare facilities, and accessible clean water could go a long way in addressing the dire living conditions in these states. Citizens continue to demand more accountability from their governments, urging them to prioritize the real needs of the people rather than indulge in wasteful expenditures.
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