The National Association of Seadogs, Pyrates Confraternity (NAS/PC), has vehemently criticized Chief Tinubu for his defence of the padded 2024 National Budget, labelling it as a defence of criminal acts perpetrated by members of the National Assembly.
The NAS/PC expressed deep concern over the shocking revelation of the insertion of 7,447 projects worth N2.24 trillion by National Assembly members into the budget. This, they emphasized, epitomizes the shameless greed and self-serving politics of Nigeria’s political elite.
Highlighting the findings of civic-tech advocacy organization, BudgIT, the Pyrates Confraternity reiterated that many of these projects lack national significance and are tailored to serve personal interests rather than the welfare of the populace. They further pointed out alarming disclosures made by Senators Abdul Ningi and Agom Jarigbe regarding discrepancies and financial allocations within the budget, hinting at widespread corruption within the National Assembly leadership.
The NAS/PC expressed disappointment in Chief Tinubu’s response, where he defended the integrity of the Senators during an Iftar gathering with members of the Senate, attributing allegations of budget padding to a misunderstanding of arithmetic. According to the NAS/PC, such defense by a prominent political figure only encourages impunity among federal lawmakers.
Moreover, the NAS/PC criticized the silence of opposition parties in the National Assembly, accusing them of betraying the people and shirking their responsibility of robust opposition politics.
The Pyrates Confraternity emphasized the detrimental impact of such corruption amidst widespread poverty, high inflation, and escalating unemployment in Nigeria. They highlighted the misuse of constituency projects, originally intended for grassroots development, which has instead become a vehicle for embezzlement and underdevelopment.
Drawing attention to the staggering amounts recovered by the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) from tracked ZIP projects, the Pyrates Confraternity stressed the urgent need for a review of the constituency project system. They urged Chief Tinubu to take decisive action by calling for the review of the inserted projects and ensuring transparent execution by independent contractors to address the priority needs of the people.
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In conclusion, the NAS/PC called for heightened public scrutiny of the budget process and demanded greater accountability from public officials. They underscored the importance of reevaluating Nigeria’s value system to foster sustainable development and prudent management of public funds.
Abiola Owoaje, the NAS Capoon, emphasized that holding public servants accountable and redefining the values surrounding public office are crucial steps towards achieving the desired development in Nigeria.
