By Joy Odor
A Honourable member, representing Katagum Federal Constituency of Bauchi State, Rep Auwalu Abdu Gwalabe has bemeaoned about Nigeria running four budgets concurrently in one year, including the 2023 and 2024 budgets and their supplementary budgets.
He described this situation as unprecedented in Nigeria’s history.
Gwalabe questioned the practicality of presenting the 2025 budget while previous budgets remain unresolved and highlighted the potential consequences of concurrent budget implementation, including, Delayed Project Implementation: The 2023 budget may extend into June 2025 or face further extensions, Inefficient Resource Allocation:, The overlap of budgets may lead to confusion and inefficiencies, Unclear Benefits: Nigerians may not feel the impacts of previous budgets.
The Lawmaker under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stated this Journalists in an interview shortly after the presentation of the 2025 Appropriation Bill.
As a member of the opposition party, Gwalabe emphasized his commitment to supporting policies benefiting the poor and grassroots populations and urged the government to fund the 2025 budget effectively to achieve its promised “Restoration” goals.
He therefore prayed that the government would be able to fund the 2025 budget or else the Restoration that they are talking about will not be possible.
“Because you can’t be running the budgets concurrently. My main concern about this budget is that it says it’s a budget of restoration, that’s okay; but the 2023 budget is still running.
“We are running four budgets in one year – 2023 budget and its supplementary and 2024 budget and its supplementary. The 2023 budget will probably enlaps in June 2025 or they may extend it.
“Now, the budget of 2025 will enlaps when? That’s my major concern. When will the common man feel the impacts of the 2023 and 2024 budgets?
“If you look at last year’s budget, the capital expenditure was higher, which has never been in the history of Nigeria. The recurrent expenditure was low, less than 40%, but this budget of 2025 is saying 50% is going for the capital expenditure while 48% goes for the recurrent expenditure.
“So, there’s an increase in the recurrent expenditure, that’s where I have a very good question. I come from the opposition party”, he stressed.
“I pray that the government will be able to fund the 2025 budget or else that restoration that they are talking about will not be possible because you can’t be running the budgets concurrently.
On the impact of the 2023 budget, the lawmaker said, “Ask yourself if there is any relief? Check the 2024 budget, is there any form of respite for the people, let alone the one that was brought today.
“Now the question is not for me alone, it’s for all Nigerians. They will have to decide if they have enjoyed the 2023 and 2024 budget” he noted.
