News Investigators/ Samuel Nzekwe, a financial expert, has appealed to the Federal Government to redouble its efforts and ensure effective implementation of the 2025 budget to achieve desired results.
Mr Nzekwe, who is also a former President, Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Ota, Ogun.
He was reacting to the N54.99 trillion budget that was passed by the Senate on Thursday in Abuja.
Mr Nzekwe emphasised the need for the Federal Government to ensure effective implementation of the country’s budget so as to achieve the targeted objectives.
He enjoined the Federal Government to ensure early preparation of the annual budget for the joint session of the National Assembly to do a thorough job and return to the January circle.
“What matters in any budget is not the size, but proper implementation that will make an average Nigerian to feel the impact.
“It is not the amount of money in the budget that matters but the correct implementation that will bring about meaningful development to the country.
“There is the need for the Federal Government to block leakages for Nigerians to benefit from the budget.
“In addition, blocking leakages will drastically reduce funds going into individuals pockets,” he said.
Mr Nzekwe said the era where some contractors would do substandard projects should be over in the country.
He stressed the need for the Federal Government to carry out performance audit to ensure that funds allocated to each sector of the economy could be properly assessed.
NAN reports that the Senate on Thursday approved the 2025 Appropriation Bill of N54.99 trillion with an increase of about N750 billion.
It increased the budget from N54.2 trillion, proposed by President Bola Tinubu, to N54.99 trillion.
NAN reports President Bola Tinubu had on February 5 raised the proposed 2025 budget from N49.7 trillion to N54.2 trillion, citing additional revenues generated by key government agencies.
NAN
