Aside national security, one other area of governance where the present administration needs to put its act together for the good of the nation, is in the area of budgeting; its preparation and passage. For some time now, the national budget has been dogged and bogged down by controversies resulting in late passage and its attendant disadvantages for the nation.
That the 2014 budget has just been passed into law by the National Assembly speaks volumes about our seriousness. It is something the Jonathan administration has to overcome. A situation where the budget is delayed and the allocations not released on time cannot make for sound planning and management. Meanwhile, government activities go on with the implication that certain sectors like the Presidency somehow find funds to carry on their activities.
This state of affairs creates room for corruption because it would be difficult in such a situation to keep track of the movement of funds.
One is of the view that giving the importance of the budget to the nation’s economic life, stakeholders in the process notably the executive and legislature should make it a priority and ensure that impediments to its prompt passage and implementation are removed.
Mohammed Alhassan,
Maitama, Abuja
