An estimated N429.94 budgeted for each Nigerians in the 2016 budget is disturbing and should be urgently addressed due to the prevailing conditions in the country.
Secretariat President of the National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTS) Barrister Ken Ukaoha said this on Friday in Abuja at the Citizens Dialogue on the Proposed 2016 Agriculture Budget organised by the Action Aid Nigeria (AAN), Small Scale Women Farmers Association in Nigeria (SWOFON), Voices for Food Security (VFS) and Oxfam.
“Based on 2.3 percent growth rate of the 2006 population census figures, the National Population Commission estimates the Nigerian population in 2016 to be An estimated N429.94 budgeted for each Nigerians in the 2016 budget is disturbing and should be urgently addressed due to the prevailing conditions in the country.
Secretariat President of the National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTS) Barrister Ken Ukaoha said this on Friday in Abuja at the Citizens Dialogue on the Proposed 2016 Agriculture Budget organised by the Action Aid Nigeria (AAN), Small Scale Women Farmers Association in Nigeria (SWOFON), Voices for Food Security (VFS) and Oxfam.
“Based on 2.3 percent growth rate of the 2006 population census figures, the National Population Commission estimates the Nigerian population in 2016 to be 178.52million. Looking at the NGN76, 753,672,273 proposed budgetary allocations to agriculture, what amount per Nigerian is the nation investing in the agricultural sector is N429.94k per capita investment
“It means that for one year, what Agriculture budget makes provision for each Nigerian is N430. This very awful and ridiculous, although some may argue that this does not yet include the investments at the states and local governments,” Ukaoha said.
Deputy Country Director of AAN Mrs Ifeoma Charles-Monwuba, said that with the dwindling oil prices, there is urgent need for the government at all levels to prioritise the agricultural sector.
“In addition to providing an avenue to lift women out of poverty, the agriculture sector also holds potential to create income generation opportunities for the millions of unemployed youths of the country,” she said.178.52million. Looking at the NGN76, 753,672,273 proposed budgetary allocations to agriculture, what amount per Nigerian is the nation investing in the agricultural sector is N429.94k per capita investment
“It means that for one year, what Agriculture budget makes provision for each Nigerian is N430. This very awful and ridiculous, although some may argue that this does not yet include the investments at the states and local governments,” Ukaoha said.
Deputy Country Director of AAN Mrs Ifeoma Charles-Monwuba, said that with the dwindling oil prices, there is urgent need for the government at all levels to prioritise the agricultural sector.
“In addition to providing an avenue to lift women out of poverty, the agriculture sector also holds potential to create income generation opportunities for the millions of unemployed youths of the country,” she said.
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