Tracka, BudgIT’s service delivery promotion platform, has uncovered a staggering N732.5 billion allocated to empowerment projects in the 2024 Federal Government Capital and Constituency Projects, surpassing the N646.5 billion earmarked for health projects. This discovery raises concerns about the government’s priorities, given Nigeria’s alarming child mortality rate, second highest globally in 2023.
The 2024 budget allocates funds to 4,440 empowerment projects, many of which are vague and challenging to track. Tracka believes these projects often serve as a conduit for funneling public resources to party loyalists, leading to the misuse of funds. The National Assembly’s insertion of 7,447 projects worth N2.24 trillion into the budget further exacerbates the issue.
Worryingly, over 2,558 projects worth N624 billion were assigned to agencies outside their mandate, such as SMEDAN’s allocation for distributing vehicles to traditional rulers and NiOMR’s road construction project. This raises concerns about monitoring, evaluation, and sustainability, as these agencies lack the necessary expertise and personnel.
Gabriel Okeowo, BudgIT’s Country Director, expressed concern over the implications of this development, citing potential under-delivery, waste of resources, and embezzlement. Tracka urges anti-graft agencies to investigate these anomalies and calls on elected representatives and MDAs to ensure timely updates and quality implementation of projects to maximize public benefit.
This report highlights the need for transparency, accountability, and prioritization in government spending to address critical emergencies like healthcare. By shedding light on these issues, Tracka and BudgIT promote citizen engagement and collaboration in tracking public projects and ensuring effective service delivery.”
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