Controversies over the 2016 budget may have just begun, with a fresh N3.9 billion injected into the second version of the budget presented by Ita Enang, special adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on national assembly matters (senate).
On December 22, 2015, the president had presented the appropriation bill before a joint session of the national assembly, and was well received as an expansionary budget aimed at stimulating the economy.
On Tuesday, it was discovered that the budget was missing at the senate, and there have been speculations that it was withdrawn for correction.
Senate President Bukola Saraki met Buhari immediately after the senate plenary session, and thereafter dismissed the reports, saying the budget was with them.
The presidency said hundreds of copies of the budget were presented to the national assembly and all could not possibly be missing.
TheCable obtained both copies of the budget and highlighted the disparities between the two versions of the 1,810-page document.
Most of the changes made were relating to the state house and the presidency in general.
Fresh N3.9 billion was included for routine maintenance of the presidential villa, while the amount stipulated for the purchase of BMW salon cars was reduced from N3.6 billion to N340 million.
Below is a table showing the changes made to the 2016 budget:
ALTERATIONS TO THE OLD VERSION OF THE BUDGET
| DESCRIPTION | Old Budget (N) | New Budget (N) | Difference (N) |
| STATE HOUSE – HQTRS (TOTAL OVERHEAD) | 2,063,951,770 | 1,963,951,772 | Reduced by 99,999,998 |
| STATE HOUSE – HQTRS (TOTAL RECURRENT) | 3,640,645,629 | 3,540,645,631 | Reduced by 99,999,998 |
| OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF STAFF TO THE PRESIDENT (TOTAL ALLOCATION) |
2,258,000 | 27,258,000 | Increased by 25,000,000 |
| OFFICE OF THE CHIEF SECURITY OFFICER TO THE PRESIDENT (TOTAL ALLOCATION) | 3,177,380 | 28,177,380 | Increased by 25,000,000 |
| STATE HOUSE MEDICAL CENTRE | 3,865,629,221 | 3,890,629,221 | Increased by 25,000,000 |
| STATE HOUSE LAGOS LIAISON OFFICE | 126,727,005 | 151,727,005 | Increased by 25,000,000 |
| OVERHEAD COST (STATE HOUSE) | 1,964,893,444 | 1,864,893,446 | Reduced by 99,999,998 |
| OTHER RECURRENT COSTS (STATE HOUSE) | 2,063,951,770 | 1,963,951,772 | Reduced by 99,999,998 |
| MISCELLANEOUS (STATE HOUSE) | 454,145,445 | 354,145,445 | Reduced by 100,000,000 |
| PURCHASE OF BMW SALOON CARS AND JEEPS (5NOS.EACH) | 3,630,000,000 | 340,000,000 | Reduced by 3,290,000,000 |
| RENOVATION WORK ON 8 NO.BLOCKS OF 16 NO. 2 BEDROOM FLATS AT STATE HOUSE SECURITY QUARTERS, ASOKORO “NEW QUARTERS” |
Absent in old budget | 254,587,922 | Fresh 254,587,922 |
| WILDLIFE CONSERVATION | 326,084,876 | 115,829,076 | Reduced by 210,255,800 |
| ANNUAL ROUTINE MAINTENANCE OF VILLA FACILITIES BY JBN | Absent in old budget | 3,914,197,062 | Fresh 3,914,197,062 |
| CONSTRUCTION AND PROVISION OF RECREATIONAL FACILITIES | 764,671,015 | Absent | 764,671,015 Removed |
| ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION OF DISTRIBUTION BOARDS AND OTHER CABLES | 191,592,132 | 371,733,964 | Increased by 180,141,832 |
| PURCHASE OF 33 SEATER COASTER BUSES | 158,000,000 | 120,000,000 | Reduced by 38,000,000 |
| PURCHASE OF 16 SEATER TOYOTA HIACE COASTER BUSES. | 204,000,000 | 120,000,000 | Reduced by 84,000,000 |
| OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF STAFF TO THE PRESIDENT (TOTAL OVERHEAD) | 0 | 25,000,000 | Fresh 25,000,000 |
| OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF STAFF TO THE PRESIDENT (TOTAL RECURRENT) | 0 | 25,000,000 | Fresh 25,000,000 |
| FEDERAL MINISTRY OF SOLID MINERALS (WEBSITE UPDATE) | 0 | 795,234,275 | Fresh 795,234,275 |
| MAINTENANCE OF FME WEBSITE AND PROVISION OF ANTIVIRUS AND PORTAL DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT FOR NIGERIA EDUCATION MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM | 15,000,000 | 273,657,322 | Increased by 258,657,322 |
Data source: BudgIT
This government is a joke, to think that some of us actually voted for this change is disheartening. Annual maintenance of the villa, wildlife conservation, website for solid mineral resources etc. We have just been played a fast one. How can they budget such figures and yet say we are broke?
You’re a liar. You did not vote for this govt. What i see here is better than the originally speculated copy.
Nigeria is geting better
something in my heart tells me that we have government that have good intention for our great nation. its better they make the change and be transparent that allowing the first copies and use money made for other projects to cover these things. my own opinion.
It is better to make necessary amendments now that debate has not started on it. However, this should be done constitutionally.
I don’t see much seriousness in wat this government is doing bc l they want to be transparent the issue of this budget should be an example withdrawing d budget without d conscience of d ppl concern
If your president likes, let him fortify his Security personnel, vehicles and buildings with the whole oil money and strongest iron in the whole world, ALL IS FUTILITY BECAUSE IF GOD DOES NOT PROTECT, NO ONE ELSE AND NOTHING CAN. I call this crap PRESIDENT’S SECURITY BUDGET to be born by Nigerians. WHY IS HE AFRAID AND WHAT IS HE AFRAID OF THAT HIS BUDGET CENTERS ON HIS PERSONAL SECURITY NOT THE SECURITY OF CITIZENS?
Let’s ask the Senate what happened to original copies presented. How did it get missing if they are serious? Do blame the government till Senate come out clean at least House Representative still have theirs.
Transparency starts all d way from the begining. If this govt had alterations to make, it,s transparent to ask the natnal assmby to send bck the budget for some CHANGE or amendment, but for the senate to discover that the BUD-JET jst disappear….who is the HODINI. Changi
Nigeria is a joke. This country can not progress with this kind of budget proposal. What a failed state!
wat a pity,a country that God bless so much and full wit those bad leader,…….infact this apc administration is worst thing has ever happen to nigeria