The Budget Office of the Federation has firmly dismissed widespread social media claims suggesting that the North East Development Commission (NEDC) has a ₦246 billion budget dedicated almost entirely to salaries, calling the narrative misleading and based on a misunderstanding of Nigeria's federal budgeting process.
In an official statement, the Budget Office clarified that the ₦246.77 billion allocation appearing for the NEDC is not a salaries-only fund. Instead, it is a statutory lump-sum provision presented at an aggregate level, in line with standard practices for statutory and quasi-statutory agencies under the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF).
The controversial figure of approximately ₦244 billion shown under personnel costs is not the actual intended spending on salaries. According to the office, this is a technical placeholder commonly used during the initial budget upload stage when agencies have not yet provided full internal economic breakdowns.
The allocation remains provisional until detailed submissions, legislative reviews, and approved reallocations occur during implementation. The Budget Office emphasized that confusing this procedural display with final spending plans distorts reality.
On capital expenditure concerns, the office addressed reports highlighting only ₦2.70 billion for capital projects in the current presentation. This low figure stems from a National Assembly-approved rephrasing of the 2025 capital votes, with roughly 70% deferred or rolled over into the 2026 fiscal year.
This legislative adjustment relates to the timing and sequencing of funds, a common practice amid revenue constraints — and does not mean development projects are absent or unfunded.
Official budget documents reveal a range of ongoing interventions across the North East region, including:
- Agricultural support programs
- Food security initiatives
- Construction and rehabilitation of orphanages
- Reconstruction of IDP camps
- Provision of boreholes
- Security logistics support
- Constituency-level development projects
The Budget Office stressed that personnel costs for a development-focused institution like the NEDC are both normal and essential. These funds support critical staff such as engineers, procurement specialists, project managers, monitoring teams, and oversight personnel needed to effectively plan, execute, and supervise impactful projects.
The NEDC remains accountable through established mechanisms, including the MTEF, annual Appropriation Acts, National Assembly oversight, quarterly performance reports, and mandatory audits.
The statement concluded by urging the public and commentators to engage with fiscal information responsibly and with a proper understanding of budgeting procedures.
Misinterpreting technical details or selectively focusing on isolated lines does not advance genuine accountability and can spread misinformation.
The Budget Office reaffirmed that the NEDC was established to drive reconstruction, rehabilitation, and development in the North East, not merely to serve as a salary vehicle and encouraged informed scrutiny based on complete official records.
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com