A report by Open Nigeria States, supported by BudgIT, has revealed that over 30 state governments in Nigeria spent a total of N986.64 billion on recurrent expenditures in the first quarter of 2024.
The expenditures covered items such as refreshments, sitting allowances, travel expenses, and utilities.
The analysis examined 30 states, while data for Benue, Imo, Niger, Rivers, Sokoto, and Yobe States was unavailable for the first quarter.
The report highlighted that these states collectively spent N5.1 billion on refreshments for guests, N4.67 billion on sitting allowances for government officials, N34.63 billion on local and foreign travel expenses, and N5.64 billion on utility bills, amounting to a total of N50.02 billion. Utility costs included electricity, internet, telephone charges, water rates, and sewerage charges.
Additionally, the states paid N405.77 billion in salaries to their workers. Other recurrent spending items included expenses on foreign and domestic travel, internet access fees, entertainment, food, honorariums, wardrobe allowances, telephone bills, electricity charges, stationery, anniversaries, welfare, and aircraft maintenance.
Detailed expenditures for individual states were also reported. Abia State spent N10.92 billion on recurrent expenditures, which included N165.38 million on refreshments, N39.26 million on utilities, N214.57 million on sitting allowances, and N127.1 million on local and foreign travels.
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Adamawa State’s recurrent expenditure amounted to N23.7 billion, with N287.61 million spent on refreshments, N109.62 million on utilities, N79.57 million on sitting allowances, and N768.77 million on travel.
Akwa Ibom State’s recurrent expenditure reached N46.85 billion, including N4.46 million on refreshments, N223.32 million on utilities, N6 million on sitting allowances, and N214.61 million on travel.
Anambra State disbursed N9.91 billion on recurring expenses, including N78.18 million on refreshments, N32.52 million on utilities, N42.09 million on sitting allowances, and N188.39 million on travel.
Bauchi State’s recurrent expenditure was N35.75 billion, with N397.58 million allocated to utilities, N50.8 million to refreshments, N287.11 million to allowances, and N413.56 million to travel.
Bayelsa State spent N35.1 billion on recurrent expenses, including N28.4 million on utilities, N156.14 million on refreshments, and N279.99 million on travel.
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