YES or NO...Can the 2016 Budget Transform Nigeria?

After arguments and amendments between the Executive and the Legislature, President Muhammadu Buhari has finally signed the 2016 budget into law. The N6.08 trillion budget has been described by the ruling administration as people-friendly which will bring about real change to the long-suffering citizens. In your opinion, can this delayed budget actually transform Nigeria and ginger the desired development?

ABIMBOLA AKOSILE

* Yes, since PMB has ensured the budget contains the genuine components, there should be no cause for alarm. We must put all the irons on the fire and hit the ground running now. Nigerians are itching to see action of implementation. Citizens must be carried along too.

– Miss Apeji Patience Eneyeme, Badagry, Lagos State

* The passage of the 2016 national budget was so much delayed at the National Assembly, thus giving its implementation a period far less than 12 months. There is therefore the likelihood that a full implementation of the budget is not feasible. Hence, it could be concluded that the budget will hardly make the desired impact on Nigeria; neither will it ginger the expected development. Future budgets should be passed early enough as to have enough time for its execution.

– Mr. Neville Kikpoye-Jonathan, President, Abua National Associates, Amalem-Abua, Rivers State

* N6.8 trillion is not small money and I know development of any economy does not happen in one fell swoop. If half of that N6.08 trillion does not go into private pockets, it will go a long way in salvaging the economy, in bringing change and not transformation.

– Mr. Okechukwu Ikonne, Ogbor, Oke-Ovoro, Mbaise, Imo State

* If the budget is strictly followed to the letter in terms of implementation, especially in the execution of capital projects, then it has the capacity to transform Nigeria and the livelihoods of Nigerians. The injection of the N350 billion stimulus into the economy to cushion the effects of fuel deregulation is very important because of the expected rise in inflation and costs of goods and services as a result of the increase in fuel prices. And given President Buhari’s displayed aversion to corruption, any potential looter of the N6.08 trillion budget funds will spend a long time in jail if caught. This budget is a major attempt to correct past wrongs and pacify angry Nigerians; we must make sure it works through citizens’ feedback, projects monitoring and whistle-blowing.

– Mr. Olumuyiwa Olorunsomo, Lagos State

* Yes, of course it can, if implementation is transparently executed. PMB insisted on the true contents and thereafter endorsed it. Nigerians are genuinely and faithfully hopeful of citizens’ fate. God bless one Nigeria.

– Miss Saiki Ometere Tina, Gboko, Benue State

* Certainly no! No certainty of security, threat by Boko Haram, Fulani herdsmen, Niger Delta youths destroying fuel pipelines, kidnappers e.t.c. Increase on petrol price, no employment or the promised N5,000. I do not foresee how government will tackle agriculture, when farmers cannot go to their farms to till the land and rainy season has set in. Is the scenario a miracle or still compounding problems with no means to alleviate the suffering of the electorate? We pray to God to salvage us from the menace of corruption.

– Mr. Dogo Stephen, Kaduna State

* If fully implemented, it (the 2016 budget) will transform the economy.
– Mr. Feyisetan Akeeb Kareem, Leader, Change Makers Forum, Ogwashi-Ukwu, Delta State

* N6.08 trillion is a great sum of money. I see that this can transform Nigeria into making all things workable e.g. electricity, roads, water, food sufficiency e.t.c. but that can be managed by only those who have the country at heart, not those who see government property as their personal belongings. As long as we have such people in the leadership, let it be even triple of this amount, the reverse will be the answer.

– Hon. Babale Maiungwa, U/Romi, Kaduna

* How is a deficit budget expected to ginger the economy? The 2016 budget isn’t exactly fantastic except for maybe relative increase in capital vote. However, considering this government has to start somewhere, I advocate ‘religious’ adherence to and implementation of the 2016 budget.
– Mr. Ekwenjo Iheanyi Chukwudi, B.A.R., Apo, Abuja

* The question every Nigerian ought to be asking now is how the budget is going to be funded because corruption is going to intensify its own fight-back. Revenue from oil may not be generated due to a new and easy strategy by militants, that is aimed at stopping oil production in the Niger Delta. General Buhari must stop fresh trials against corrupt persons for now. Focus on good governance that will get the masses behind you now, while you reform the judiciary. The timing of this subsidy removal is wrong, because of the level of poverty and lack of money in the economy. Before any palliatives can be implemented, the damage would have already been done. Let the impact of the budget begin to be felt first before the removal. Government must be quick to resolve their issues with Labour because corrupt persons fighting back and disillusioned masses such as those in Kano could hijack the protests.

– Mr. Buga Dunj, Jos, Plateau State

* Yes of course it can. Big congratulations to Nigeria for signing this budget at last. We must avoid undue external interference in our economy. Eventual removal of oil subsidy is also a giant leap. Implementing the budget must commence earnestly. Avoid detractors like David and remain focused at time is our foe now. God bless PMB and Nigeria.

– Mr. Apeji Onesi, Lagos State

* Let us believe the assented budget will put smiles on our faces, when implemented by ministries and agencies concerned. Despite the challenges in budget passage and the delay, Nigerians will have cause to smile because it is a budget of change. Nigerians have commended the budget as the best one ever; let implementation start in earnest to cushion the sufferings of Nigerians. The delay that happened in the assent of the 2016 budget should not repeat itself in the future. Nigerians should keep hope alive for the budget because PMB means well for Nigeria; it is time.

– Mr. Gordon Chika Nnorom, Public Commentator, Umukabia, Abia State

* Transformation is an essential purpose of a national budget, if well implemented and Nigeria is long overdue for this.