The 16.39 trillion naira 2022 budget presented to the National Assembly by President Mohammadu Buhari has continued to attract reactions from across the country. Key among the issues of concern in the appropriation bill is the allocation of 22 billion naira for construction and equipping of a 14 bed presidential clinic. Addressing a news conference tagged Review of the 2022 federal appropriation bill parameters and key issues, the Executive director of the Centre for Social Justice, Eze Onyekpere described the vote as waste. He advocated reasons why the budget should be channeled to the health of the entire population especially as the president routinely indulges in medical tourism. Statutory transfer of over 768 billion naira to some government agencies without details was faulted by the group which also criticised the allocation of 82 million naira for purchase of SUV jeep for the chief executive of News agency of Nigeria. Onyekpere further questioned why the Central Bank of Nigeria was yet to harmonize and unify the exchange rate of 140 naira to 1 US dollar. The briefing was concluded with specific recommendations that include the need for the 2022 appropriation act to contain explicit provision abolishing fuel subsidies, strengthening of the Fiscal Responsibility commission,full implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act,reduction of debts and borrowings as well as establishment of Health bank and Road fund management authority among other interventions.
