As provided for in the N10.33 trillion 2020 budget proposal, the 469 federal lawmakers in both chambers of the National Assembly are scrambling to ensure capturing of their constituency projects under the N2.14 trillion capital expenditure component of the budget.
President Muhammadu Buhari had in the N10.33 trillion 2020 budget proposals, earmarked N100 billion for Zonal Intervention projects otherwise known as constituency projects for the 469 federal lawmakers at both the Senate and the House of Representatives which translates into N213 million worth of projects for each of the lawmakers.
Though like other aspects of the projected capital expenditure component of the budget on yearly basis, 100% cash backing for the constituency projects has never been made by the executive but the new found love between the two arms of government, is giving the federal lawmakers glimmer of hope on adequate funding of the N100 billion constituency projects.
The hope of the federal lawmakers on cash backing of the N100 billion was brightened at the Senate wing last month via a memo written to each of the 109 now 108 senators by the chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation, Jibrin Barau (APC, Kano North).
The circular titled: “2020 Zonal Intervention Projects and personally signed by Barau read: “I am directed to inform you that your zonal intervention projects be submitted to the Appropriation Committee Secretariat ( Room 11, White House) on or before November 5, 2019, after consultations with your zonal and state caucuses.
“The implementing MDA should be clearly stated and each senator should be sure that the MDA has the legal mandate to execute such projects. Please note that the committee will not entertain change of project(s)/MDAs after the passage of the budget.”
Consequently, since lawmakers in both chambers have just about 24 hours to meet up with the directive, many of them have, since last week, bombarding their appropriation committee in ensuring capturing of their proposed projects in effecting appropriation and cash backing for their execution during budget implementation.
However, one of the lawmakers who spoke with Blueprint on Sunday over the issue, but who asked not to be named in print, said the N100 billion had always been earmarked for such projects, but never cash-backed fully.
He said, “Not a single Kobo from such proposal has been released by the executive in the about to end 2019 fiscal year.
“Even if cash backed 100%, Nigerians should know that not a dime is entering any of the lawmakers pocket because ours is to suggest projects to be executed for our constituents while the executive through the appropriate MDA, awards and execute the contracts.”
