In a bid to push for more transparency in Nigeria’s public and political space, Tracka NG, a social platform that consists of active citizens tracking implementation of government projects has published figures funds released to the National Assembly by the Federal Government.
In a tweet on its official page, Tracka revealed that the Federal Government of Nigeria has released at least 70 per cent funds for 2017 Zonal Intervention Projects (ZIP).
In 2017, N54 billion was budgeted by the National Assembly to provide empowerment to their constituencies, of the sum, the government released N37.8 billion – 70 per cent of the total sum.
According to the chart, lawmakers from Lagos got the most of the budget with N2.99 billion. Next to Lagos, were Bauchi, Anambra, Edo and Katsina with N2.21bn, N2.19bn, N2.16 and N2.10 billion.
Despite having the Senate President, Bukola Saraki from Kwara state, his state scored the least in the budget with N432.83 million.
Plateau lawmakers got N488.58 for 2017 ZIP about N56 million more than what Kwara got from the budget. Federal Capital Territory received N700.00m while Jigawa got N750.15m.
Its one thing to budget the money and another to release the money to national assembly but more importantly is the execution of the projects.
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Checking with lawmakers and alerting Nigerians, Track.ng tweeted, “Dear Nigerians, Are you aware of the N54 billion budgeted by NASS to provide empowerment in the 2017 Zonal Intervention Projects?
“FG has released 70% funds for the implementations of the projects. Engage your Representatives now by asking for the project implementations in your states. #AskQuestions” Tracka wrote.
Dear Nigerians,
Are you aware of the N54 billion budgeted by NASS to provide empowerment in the 2017 ZIP? FG has released 70% funds for the implementations of the projects. Engage your Representatives now by asking for the project implementations in your states. #AskQuestions pic.twitter.com/p4Uj04jSZz— Tracka.ng (@TrackaNG) June 25, 2018
Nigerians will expect lawmakers who only recently padded the 2018 budget to account for the funds they received from the 2017 budget with projects that can be seen and are in line with their budgets.