Leading Nigerian opposition parties have criticised the government’s proposal, outlined in the 2025 Appropriations Bill, to spend N14.3 billion on new computers for 20 of its Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.
The criticism follows Tinubu’s presentation of an N49.7 trillion budget to the National Assembly’s joint session two weeks prior.
An examination of the appropriation bill indicates that N14, 261,940,152 will be used by the MDAs to buy computers.
While the defunct Ministry of Sports Development sought N1.1 billion to acquire new systems, the Ministry of Education alone wanted N3.9 billion.
Some MDAs, such as the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, requested N202 million, while the Federation’s Office of the Auditor-General requested N797 million to purchase comparable electronic devices.
Major political parties have since criticised the budget proposals categorised under the “Purchase of Computers” section and demanded that they be rejected.
Obiora Ifoh, the Labour Party’s National Publicity Secretary, expressed disapproval of the demands in his remarks on the budget, claiming that many of the capital projects and consumables were intended to benefit a select few in the government.
Ifoh asked reporters Friday why the government purchases computers annually when they can be used for five years.
“Why buy a computer every year when it can last for at least five years?” he asked. “Are animals or humans using them? After a year, who takes the ones they are attempting to phase out?
“We don’t even know if there are systems in place to confirm that these technological devices are purchased. In addition to the computers, I am aware that almost every MDA and the others are requesting new cars. What are you doing with the ones you have, I wonder? Some of these needless demands, like those for computers and cars, must be completely stopped. Invest such funds in worthwhile ventures.
“Corruption is rampant in Nigeria, and preventing it requires knowledgeable leadership. You cannot simply keep approving computers each year. It merely demonstrates that they are agents used to embezzle taxpayer funds from the country.
“Until the government starts to take charge and purge the administration of corruption, there is nothing anyone can do.”
Ladipo Johnson, the National Publicity Secretary of the New Nigeria People’s Party, agreed with Ifoh.
He claims that President Tinubu doesn’t seem sincere in his desire to curb fiscal irresponsibility and bring the economy back to life.
“It is not just about revenue generation,” he stated. How about the cars and renovations? Is it just the computer budget that we noticed? Are they unable to maintain their computers and cars for four years before requesting a replacement, or do they replace them annually?
“These enquiries highlight the perception that this government is not being truthful with Nigerians about its initiatives. I have done extensive research on President Tinubu from Lagos.
“They do not understand how to balance the budget as well as to find equilibrium between revenue generation and the welfare of the people,” he says, seemingly believing that the government is functioning once revenue is rising. You don’t murder your people to make money. Once more, is the money you make helping the general public or the way of life of those in government?”
Johnson declared that the opposition party would keep posing queries and demanding answers from the government.
In a related move, Timothy Osadolor, the People’s Democratic Party’s Deputy National Youth Leader, claimed that corruption was reflected in the 14.3 billion computer budget.
“How do you allocate N14.3 billion for new computers once more? Do they use them to view the future or heaven?” he asked.
