President Goodluck Jonathan is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that he scale through the House of Representatives’ impeachment threat, if the 2012 budget fails to achieve 100 percent implementation by the end of September.
“Daily Post” gathered authoritatively that government had disbursed more than 50 percent of the capital vote at the weekend.
The release of this 50 percent capital vote, is almost 20 per cent over the 30per cent that triggered the budget row between the government and the Reps.
Specifically, government has released N704billion out of the N1.3trillion earmarked for capital projects.
A breakdown of the figure is as follows: N304b (first quarter); N100b(second quarter); and N300b(third quarter). The House is currently on recess and is due to resume in three weeks.
It was gathered last night in Abuja that government is working round the clock to avoid a fresh confrontation with the Reps on the issue of budget once they resume before the end of this month.
A high ranking government official said the executive has stepped up efforts to meet the September 30 deadline given by the Reps to improve on the implementation of the 2012 budget.
Although the House demanded 100 per cent budget implementation, especially the release of capital votes, it was learnt that government might not be able to meet the target.
However, a top member of the National Assembly who does not want his name to be mentioned, but who spoke on the development said “We may soft-pedal if the implementation of the budget is appreciable.”
A Federal Ministry of Finance source said: “Of the N1.3 trillion for capital projects, we have released about N704billion. This means, we have done more than 50 per cent. That is the percentage of cash-backed resources that has been released.
“Of this N704billion that is available for Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Works and security agencies have performed more than 90 per cent.”
Asked why other ministries have not fully accessed their share of the N704billion, the source explained: “We are particular about the process, we want to make sure that they comply with the guidelines for accessing funds. The situation is much more better now.”
On the National Assembly’s demand of 100 per cent capital budget implementation, the source said: “ I know that we have tremendously improved budget implementation.
“The truth is that 100 per cent implementation of the budget is not realistic. It is like asking your children to score 100 per cent in all their examinations.
“We are trying our best to meet the target but we may end up with about 70 per cent implementation of the capital votes.
“We are hopeful that the National Assembly will show some understanding in view of what we have done so far.
“We do not foresee further crisis over 2012 budget. We hope things will work out by the time they are back from recess.”
The source, however, ruled out the extension of the lifespan of the 2012 budget till March 2013,stressing: “We will not extend 2012 budget beyond December 31. We are trying to stabilize our budgeting system. We want to return to the era of January to December pattern.
“We are after fiscal discipline and unless we have a predictable budget system, we cannot get it right.” Responding to a question on the 2013 budget, the source said: “The Federal Executive Council has approved the Fiscal Strategy Paper(the Framework) which has been sent to the National Assembly for consideration when they resume.
“This framework includes budget indicators like the crude oil benchmark and how many barrels we may sell in 2013 and other indices.”
Contacted, a principal officer in the National Assembly said: “We may soft-pedal if the implementation of the budget is appreciable. “ We are eager to get feedback on budget implementation as soon as we are back. If the figures are reasonable, we may review our ultimatum. We are not after conflict with the Executive, we want the best for Nigerians.
“Unfortunately, those in government did not want us to ask questions on how the budget is being implemented. We saw it as an affront and resisted it. We are ready to ensure proper things are done.
“I am aware that the Executive has consulted widely with the leadership of the National Assembly since the recess started and we have made our position known that we are not at war.
“Let us hope that the Executive has got it right or done the right thing. We want the economy to run a normal course for the benefit of all.”
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