Pat Utomi, renowned political economist and social analyst, on Tuesday described budget process in Nigeria as “a joke”.
Speaking on Sunrise Daily, a breakfast programme on Channels Television, Utomi alleged that there is no discipline in the way the government goes about the implementation of budget.
He said he prefers using his “valuable time” for more profitable things than analysing the country’s budget.
“For more than fifteen years I don’t discuss budget in Nigeria, because I consider the budget process as a joke,” he said.
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“Twenty years ago, I was one of those who began in January by analysing the budget and then you come to December, and you see the problem of implementation. And after a couple of years, I said this is rubbish. I am not going to talk about budget anymore, because we somehow do not have the discipline of the budget process.
“There isn’t elite discipline or in fact intent to do what is proper. So, I am not sure why I should spend valuable time I could spend doing other things discussing such a document. As a citizen I am interested in things working, but when I know things are not working, you don’t expect me to get into the justification of it.”
Utomi said Nigeria is currently experiencing a ” huge national crisis”, alleging that the potentials of the country are being “lost because it is not being led”.
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“We are in the middle of a national crisis, huge national crisis, and people are carrying on as if it is just a few queues,” he said.
“What our country is dealing with is huge financing gap, we use to earn so much, we are now earning this much, if we pretend nothing has changed, then we will go into an economic spiral downturn that will just keep going.
“Nigeria is a country dying to be led and because it is not being led the potential is being lost.”
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6 comments
As much as I like dat PMB is fightin corruption, we still need a leader hu is economically savvy on d economic front. Wish prof won, wen he contested. Stil want to giv PMB a chance to prove himself.
The problem with Nigeria is that everyone is an expert at determining what is Nigeria’s problem, but all at a loss at offering a practical solution.
There is no concrete economic success model most of them could point at as their legacy.
All you hear are theories either patterned against some textbooks, or practiced in some western country. Nigeria is not in Europe or the Americas.
prof Pat did not proffer any solution either.
Your comment..All the critics of the PMB are just opening their mouth saying n******e if you have spotted any problem in the 2016 budget proffer meaningful solution that will bring right,correct and sustainable growth and development which will affect the masses in all ramification. Prof Pat Utomi did not say anything all he has said is that past Nigerian leaders have failed in the implementation process of the budget. I think he is advising Mr President to follow to the letter the implementation of the 2016 budget and if this can be done things will change. We should expect the best for our country. The PDP need to know that they don’t have anything to say, allow Buhari the chance to prove himself otherwise, you people did it over the years without anything better rather it was arms deal which all of you shared leaving poor masses to continue to suffer God de ooooooooo
Your comment..I’m an APC man but I think the regime have to consider the financial problems that the nation is facing and work harder to tackle these problems rather than promising people of things they might not be able to fulfil.
I don’t understand how and why people think everyone should be in agreement with whatever the government do or say !!! There is no where in world where everyone agree with whatever government say or do , democracy give room to alternative believe or views!!! People that agree with every thing the president buhari say or do are doing that blindly without looking or thinking for other way doing ways or solution to the issue at hand!!! People should stop persecuting people that didn’t agree with government position on issues!!! There are example of how government are run all over the world !! We should open our eyes !!!
Read more at: https://www.thecable.ng/national-budget-is-a-joke-says-utomi