Adejoh Bilkisu
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has raised serious concerns about the Federal Government’s proposed 2025 Budget of Restoration, urging transparency, accountability, and a focus on addressing the pressing needs of Nigerians.
In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani), CISLAC criticized the inclusion of questionable allocations, such as funding for ministries that have been scrapped, including the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs and the Ministry of Sports.
The organization described these allocations as evidence of poor planning and a disregard for accountability.
It called for immediate reforms to ensure the budget aligns with public interest and restores citizens’ trust in governance.
CISLAC also condemned the recurring issue of budget padding, where legislators allocate funds to constituency projects that lack a legal framework for monitoring and evaluation.
“Such projects are frequently implemented outside public procurement regulations and fail to address the real needs of the people,” the statement noted.
The group drew attention to findings in the Auditor-General’s report, which uncovered irregular payments totaling ₦197.72 billion across ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) between 2020 and 2021.
CISLAC described these systemic violations of financial and procurement regulations as clear instances of mismanagement.
It called on the Public Accounts Committees of the National Assembly to take urgent steps to investigate these irregularities, recover misappropriated funds, and hold offenders accountable.
Amidst allegations of extortion and the fraudulent insertion of budget items in MDAs,
CISLAC urged the National Assembly to ensure the 2025 budget is credible and free of malpractice. “Legislators must uphold integrity and transparency to clear their names and regain public trust,” the organization emphasized.
The group also criticized the continued allocation of funds to parastatals that fail to deliver meaningful results, calling for strict adherence to the Auditor-General’s recommendations.
It warned against scandals, duplication of projects, and allocations to non-existent entities, urging the government to prioritize efficiency and accountability in resource management.
CISLAC further urged anti-corruption agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), to closely monitor the budget process and investigate fraudulent practices.
It called on these agencies to ensure compliance with procurement laws and hold violators accountable.
“The success of the 2025 budget depends on its ability to deliver tangible benefits to Nigerians and avoid the pitfalls of mismanagement and fraud,” the statement stressed.
As the nation anticipates the implementation of the 2025 budget, CISLAC reiterated its demand for a fiscal framework that reflects the aspirations of Nigerians, prioritizing transparency, disciplined execution, and measurable outcomes to address the country’s developmental challenges.
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