Senators yesterday, vented their spleen on most aspects of the N4.7trillion 2012 budget just presented to the House, especially the proposed N921billion for security, which they declared was too high.
Most senators, who spoke during the commencement of debate on the general principles of the budget, however warned that, the National Assembly as an institution will no longer accept any excuse from the executive for non implementation of the budget.
The lawmakers described the N1.3trillion (28percent) for capital project as too poor, saying there is the need to closely monitor the handling of the proposed N921billion for security.
They also noted that the proposed N3trillion for recurrent was a negation to government’s resolve to scale down the cost of governance.
President Goodluck Jonathan had on Tuesday presented a budget of N4.7 trillion for the 2012 fiscal year. About28 percent of the estimate was earmarked for capital project while the remaining 78 percent was for recurrent expenditure.
Several of the senators at the debate faulted what they called the “jumbo allocation for security.” They stressed that such fund may not be accounted for in the same manner as security votes to governors and president.
Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma Egba in his lead debate said the budget proposal is a stepping stone to the transformation of the nation’s economy and its walk to economic freedom.