Former Minister for Youth Development and Sports, Bolaji Abdullahi, revealed that during the fuel subsidy removal crisis in 2012, former President Goodluck Jonathan imposed restrictions on ministers, limiting them to the use of only two cars each.
Jonathan also took measures to curtail excessive spending, such as prohibiting first-class travel for cabinet members, aiming to allocate more funds to essential government activities.
Abdullahi highlighted that although not all ministers adhered to these directives, the ex-president urged them to consider the hardships faced by Nigerians and make efforts to reduce the overall cost of governance. This perspective aimed at fostering empathy and a sense of responsibility among the government officials.
These insights from the former minister come at a relevant juncture as the National Assembly scrutinizes the N27.5tn budget estimates for the 2024 fiscal year, titled the ‘Budget of Hope,’ which was presented by President Bola Tinubu. The context of Jonathan’s fiscal measures adds depth to the ongoing discussions surrounding financial allocations and priorities within the government.
There have been mixed reactions from the public and the joint National Assembly Committees on the huge amount allocated to some items of ministries and agencies of the government in the proposed budget.
The Committee on Trade and Industry had frowned on the allocation of N1bn for a foreign trip to Geneva, Switzerland, by the Ministry of Trade and Investment.
The lawmaker representing Edo North Senatorial District, Adams Oshiomhole, at the defence of the 2024 budget of the ministry, cautioned against travelling with over-bloated teams, thereby increasing the cost of governance.
The State House had also earmarked N9.5bn for the purchase of tyres for bulletproof vehicles, Sport Utility Vehicles, operational vehicles, plain cars, and the construction of an office complex for Special Advisers and Senior Special Assistants.
Earlier, the sum of N160bn was appropriated to purchase SUVs for lawmakers of the National Assembly.
Speaking in an interview with Saturday PUNCH, the former minister expressed the need to reduce the cost of governance.
He said Nigerians would have hailed the National Assembly if they had reflected on the sufferings of the people by using part of the funds on constituencies and purchasing Nigerian cars.
He said, “I remember in January 2012, during the issue of the fuel subsidy. That was the first time the former president, Goodluck Jonathan, wanted to take the issue of fuel subsidy head-on. I remember at one of the meetings, former President Jonathan told us that as ministers, we could no longer travel first class.
“He also said we could no longer move around with sirens and we could only go out with our car and one other backup car. He said we needed to reflect sensitivity to the feelings of the people. Some people complied and some others didn’t comply, but the principle was very clear, and we also tried to adjust.
“I tried to imagine a National Assembly where a decision is taken that, given the situation of the country, they (National Assembly) are going to buy from Nigeria cars like Innoson Motors and they can use some part of the money for their constituency. I can’t imagine how Nigerians would hail them if that kind of decision were taken.”
