The presidential candidate representing the Labour Party (LP) for the 2023 general election, Mr. Peter Obi, expressed his concern on Friday over what he termed as wasteful spending by the Federal Government. Obi specifically pointed to the allocation of N15 billion from the 2024 budget for the construction of a new residence for the Vice President. In his critique, Obi suggested alternative allocations that could be more beneficial for the country, emphasizing the need for prioritization.
Taking to his Twitter handle, the former governor of Anambra State highlighted the possibility of redirecting the N15 billion towards enhancing police operations. He proposed fueling police operational vehicles and increasing police officers’ daily allowances from N5,000 to N15,000.
Examining the 2024 budget, Obi raised concerns about the lack of prioritization for items that contribute to national growth. He specifically criticized the budgeted amounts for trips by the aides of President Bola Tinubu, Deputy Kashim Shettima, and their respective offices.
Obi emphasized the substantial budget earmarked for trips, estimating that the combined expenses for the President, Vice President, and their aides would reach about N45 billion. He further pointed to the N20 billion allocated for the renovation of the offices of the President and Vice President in Lagos and Abuja, including their full digitization.
In his analysis, Obi revealed that the total estimated expenditure for trips and renovations would amount to about N65 billion. He compared this figure to the N57 billion recently approved by the Senate for the Police Trust Fund, emphasizing the critical need for resources in areas such as internal security.
Drawing attention to the challenges faced by the police force, Obi highlighted the insufficient number of functional vehicles and inadequate fuel allowances for officers. He proposed redirecting the budgeted funds to address these issues, suggesting the purchase of 2500 4×4 trucks from local manufacturers like Innoson.
By prioritizing these essential needs, Obi argued that the budget savings from reduced travel and renovations could be utilized more effectively. He specifically outlined a plan to allocate the N15 billion budgeted for the Vice President’s new residence to tripling the fuel allowances for police operational vehicles, totaling N13.687 billion.
