Senator representing Borno South, Ali Mohammed Ndume, on Thursday, tasked Nigerian youths to show more than passing interest in the implementation of the 2021 budget.
Speaking with newsmen in Abuja, the Chairman Senate Committee on Army specifically mentioned the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs as one of the intervention ministries of the federal government with adequate provisions in this year budget to mitigate the pressing needs of Nigerian youths.
He restated that over N700billion was appropriated by the National Assembly for various sectors and asked Nigerians “to follow your money.”
He insisted that Nigerian youths should channel their energy to ensure that allocation in this year budget was not mismanaged by the various Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs.
He said: “So I am urging the youth particularly, like now the government had recently announced over N700 billion for intervention in various sectors that are supposed to be targeted toward indigent Nigerians and the vulnerable but we are yet to see some of these actions on ground.
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“Therefore, the youth, the President has done his bit by allocating such amount not only for the youths but even the farmers, traders, you can hear about trader-money, you hear about N-Power, you hear about huge investments, the president has done his bit by allocating huge sums of money.
“It is now left for the beneficiaries: the youth, the farmers, traders and entrepreneurs to follow their money and make sure that the budget is not only implemented but the impact of that budget should be felt.
“People should ask where is the money or the youth especially should follow their money to make sure that what they claim that they have done should be seen and the impact should be felt.”
The former Senate leader equally asked the media to explore provisions of the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act to “agitate for transparency and accountability by public officers.
“The media has a role to play. If an MDA has budgeted a certain amount, using the FoI Act, you people should ask where is the money; what did they do with it.
“It is not only the responsibility of the National Assembly, but the civil society organisations and the media should hold government accountable for all monies budgeted for projects.
“Nigerians should demand transparency, accountability and impactful implementation of the budget.”
He expressed confidence that the National Assembly would redeem the pledge made by the President of the Senate and Chairman of the National Assembly, Ahmad Lawan to pass the Petroleum Industry Bill.
“We are hopeful that the 9th Assembly will break the ice by making sure we pass the bill. Several attempts have been made in the last 20 years but it has not been successful.
“It is very important to pass the PIB. I am happy that everybody is on board.”
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