The Senate has made a significant decision to halt the proposed purchase of a N5.095 billion presidential yacht as part of the 2023 supplementary budget. This decision came in response to public outrage over the insensitivity of such a purchase amid economic hardships and worsening poverty in the country. This investigative report delves into the details of the controversy surrounding the presidential yacht and its implications on government spending.
Background:
The purchase of the presidential yacht was initially approved during the tenure of former President Muhammadu Buhari. The yacht’s accessories and components had already been delivered to Nigeria, but full payment had not been made.
Details of the Senate’s Decision:
The Senate Committee on Navy, chaired by Gbenga Daniel, held a meeting with the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, to reevaluate the budget. They decided to expunge the proposed purchase of the presidential yacht and recommended the allocation of funds for critical equipment to combat issues such as oil theft, bunkering, and pipeline vandalization.
Furthermore, the Senate approved a supplementary budget of N2.176 trillion, which included significant expenditures for the renovation of the presidency and the purchase of official vehicles for the First Lady’s office.
The breakdown of expenses for the Presidency included :
1. Renovation of residential quarters for the President – N4 billion.
2. Renovation of Aguda House – N2.5 billion.
3. Renovation of Dodan Barracks – N4 billion
4. Renovation of official quarters for the Vice President in Lagos – N3 billion
5. Purchase of SUVs – N2.9 billion.
6. Replacement of operational pool vehicles – N2.9 billion.
7. Computerization and digitalization of the State House – N200 million.
In addition to this, the Senate allocated a considerable sum of N13.5 billion for the renovation of the presidency and N1.5 billion for the purchase of official vehicles for the First Lady’s office.
Furthermore, the supplementary budget showed that N1.01 trillion was allocated for recurrent expenditure, and N1.165 trillion was allocated for capital expenditure. The Service Wide Vote received the largest allocation of N615 billion, followed by the Ministry of Defence with N476.5 billion, and the Federal Ministry of Works with N300 billion.
Public Reaction and Adjustments:
The House of Representatives responded to public outcry by scrapping the budgetary allocation for the presidential yacht and reallocating N5.095 billion to the students’ loan, effectively increasing the students’ loan allocation to N10 billion. Additionally, the budget allocation for the Ministry of Defence was increased from N476 billion to N546 billion due to security concerns.
The Presidency’s Clarification:
The Presidency clarified that the naval boat referred to as the “presidential yacht” in the budget was, in fact, an operational naval vessel with specialized security features. It was intended for high-profile operational inspection, not for the personal use of the President. The purchase of this vessel was initiated by the Navy under the previous administration.
The decision to halt the purchase of the presidential yacht and the subsequent adjustments in the supplementary budget reflect the government’s responsiveness to public concerns. The controversy surrounding government spending highlights the need for transparency and accountability in budget allocation and the importance of addressing the country’s economic challenges and hardships faced by its citizens.
