In a true Democracy, the Minister of Budget Planning should have resigned.That is one of the reasons why you are musing about the Military Dictatorship.Having said that,please be reminded that in the past, Civil Servants have been putting their hands in the cookie jar and the same civil servants are still there and very active.
It is because the NASS is no longer getting kick backs from the Ministers/ Ministries like in the past that is why they are doing their oversight function now,scrutinising every line of the padded Budget.
The paddings have always been there and these are never implemented and before the year runs out ,they share the money within the Ministry,and even the Minister( Remember the Lady Minister of Health). This real scrutiny by NASS is a good development for Democracy.The problem now is that a lot issues about the economy is awaiting the passing of the Budget and a balanced and real good budget should be made so that the Economy can be resuscitated.
On a last note, the Customs Budget should be handled with maturity. The Customs Boss made a good case yesterday for an Agency that make a lot of money for Government, should be well paid compared to those agencies that do not contribute anything to the Budget are paid over and above Customs.
Denying Customs good salary is groundwork for more corruption in the Customs the Comptroller General is trying hard to stamp out. The Minister of Finance should take note of this and handle this issue with maturity.
R S Olaitan Samuel, FNSE/ FNSChE.
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