Budget 2014: Jonathan to spend N2.378bn on travels

A sum of N2.3billion will be available for President Goodluck Jonathan to spend on his local and international travels in 2014, according to figures in the Federal Government’s budget estimates which were submitted to the National Assembly on Thursday. 

 A total of N2,995,106,500 is earmarked for the use of the President’s Office during the period and N70million for travels by Vice President Namadi Sambo.  In the details of the projected expenditure obtained by The Nation, the President’s Office is also expected to spend N132,964,485 on maintenance of motor vehicles/transport equipment and another N483,279,988 on miscellaneous expenses such as publicity and advertisements as well as medical expenses.  

The State House, according to the bill, would spend a total of N8,739,307,625 as total expenditure next year of which personnel cost would gulp N1,503,284,957 and salaries and wages N1,291,425,890.                 

Allowances and social contribution would cost N211,859,067, while other recurrent costs are estimated at N3,535,371,566.  N173,196464 is earmarked for electricity, telephone, Internet access, sewage charges, water rates and leased communication lines and N692,690,063 for office stationery/computer consumables, books, newspapers, foodstuff/catering materials and others.  State House maintenance services, covering maintenance of motor vehicles/transport equipment, furniture, office building/esidential quarters and others would cost N1,198,197,770.  

Operations in the office of Vice President Namadi Sambo will cost N461,726,691.  These will cover transport/ travel and general materials and supplies.  Fuel and lubricants for vehicles, plant, generators and cooking gas will cost N35,654,993.  Of the N109,408,460 proposed for miscellaneous expenses, the State House will spend N10,803,346 on refreshment and meals.  

Similar hefty allocations for feeding and travels by the President and the Vice President provoked outrage across the country.  In the outgoing year for instance, N406, 738,969 was proposed for the purchase of food stuff in 2013 by the State House. 

This translates to N1,114,353.34 daily on food stuff. N112,500,000 or N308,219.18 per day was earmarked for Vice President Namadi Sambo’s feeding during the same period.  The State House headquarters also planned to spend N195,066,223 on welfare packages and N6,400,000 for cooking gas.