2016 Nigeria National Budget Is In Response To The Needs Of Nigerians – Hon. Sanda

As reactions continue to trail the 2016 budget of N6.08 trn presented by President Muhammadu Buhari to the joint session of National Assembly, member representing Kaga/Gubio/Magumeri federal constituency of Borno State, Hon. Mohammed Sanda has said the budget is in response to the needs of Nigerians.While speaking with DAILY POST in Abuja, he noted that Nigerians were in absolute need of government that would intervene in areas of youth employment, infrastructural development, diversification of economy, pointing out that these were true reflection of what the party promised to do."The budget presented to the two Chambers was a true reflection of the critical needs of the people because it touches youth employment, infrastructural development, and diversification of the economy and revamping ofeducation. To me, these were those things Nigerians have in mind, which they could hold APC led government accountable for if there is anything short of it", he averred.He stressed that there would be enormous challenges implementing the budget because of lower bench mark of $38 per barrel of crude as against that of 2015 which was pegged at $78.He, was, however, optimistic that with conservative nature of public spending, there won't be much waste."You see it is not how much that comes into federal government coffers that matters, but how do they spend whatever that comes in. I recall that prices of crude surged to $150 per barrel at a time in the last administration but aswe speak, where is the money?" He asked.The lawmaker further expressed disappointmentthat with the huge resources, which accrued into government vault in previous administration, Nigeria was still experiencing infrastructural deficit and other social maladiesHe was optimistic that with the non corruption padded budget and prudent spending along theculture of value for money, the nation was set to record tremendous success in a very short periodof time."With prudent management of resources, I knowwe can succeed within a short period of time because one major problem the nation has is mismanagement of funds", he noted.Sand said the downward oil price had thrown up the challenge of developing non oil sector, which was aptly captured by the President, stressing that it would augment internal revenues to a large extent.