A member, House of Representatives, representing Tarauni constituency, Hafizu Kawu has said that in the history of Nigeria, there has never been a government that achieves 100 percent implementation of budget except that of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Buhari on presented the 2023 budget of N20.51 trillion to the National Assembly on Friday.
In an interview with BizPoint on Saturday, Kawu said no government in Nigeria that had implemented 100 percent capital projects like that of Buhari.
The lawmaker added that every year, all the projects captured under capital projects in the budget had been implemented 100 percent, boasting that no administration that set such a record before.
According to Kawu, the Ministry of Finance had already released over 90% of the funds needed to execute projects in major sectors such as agriculture, works and housing and education.
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“So, I’m certain that most of the projects that Buhari has prioritized in the budget would see the light of the day. I am sure some of them would be completed while the funding will be gotten because mostly we used to borrow to fund the budget.
“There is always depict due to oil theft and pipeline vandalism by economic saboteurs. I am sure the budget would be funded before the expiration of the administration in May 29,” Kawu said.
The lawmaker also pointed out that Buhari had succeeded tremendously in completing giant projects through diligent implementation of budgets every year since the inception of his administration.
He said, “If u look at the component of the budget, they go infrastructural development and education sector and debt servicing. As you know, we have incurred so many debt to transform the infrastructural sector, especially the railway, power and roads.
“That has been the focus of president Muhammadu Buhari administration since its inception. Since when Buhari government came on board, it has been doing these giant projects. In fact, it has taken so much time to complete most of the projects, such as second Niger bridge, Lagos -Kano rail line and reconstruction of Abuja-Kano road. So, these are the highlights of the major projects that Buhari administration has focused on, that is why it is called the budget of consolidation and transition. The incoming government would benefit from it.
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“In the history of Nigeria, it is only President Muhammadu Buhari ‘s administration that has been implementing a 100 percent capital projects. All the projects captured under capital projects in the budget had been implemented 100 percent.
“Like now, we have releases of over 90% in the major sectors of agriculture, works and housing and education. Most of the releases have been so far done by the Ministry of Finance.
So, I’m certain that most of the projects that Buhari has prioritized in the budget would see the light of the day. I am sure some of them would be completed while the funding will be gotten because mostly we used to borrow to fund the budget. There is always depict due to oil theft and pipeline vandalism by economic saboteurs. I am sure the budget would be funded before the expiration of the administration in May 29,” he said.
On the relationship between the House of Representatives and executive, Kawu said every year, house of representatives is presented with the appropriation bill to look at it and make some amends, adding that “the house have to make sure that all the amends are in line with the economic recovery and growth plan of the president Muhammadu Buhari ‘s administration.
“So, the house does a lot in terms of making sure that the appropriation is in tune with the provisions of the constitution and worked accordingly to make sure that it would bring succour to nigwrians,” he emphasized.
According to Kawu he house would help President Muhammadu Buhari achieve his three agendas, including fight against corruption, improving economy and security, which according to him, had been achieved under Buhari’s administration.
“The house has been doing a lot to support this administration. There has never been administration that enjoyed cordial relationship with National Assembly that this administration. That is why people are calling the National Assembly rubber stamp. We are not rubber stamp, rather, we want Nigerians to feel the impact of the government. That is why we try to work in harmony to make sure that these things are being achieved,” Kawu said.
