Nigeria is Africa's leading oil producer, but the majority of its 150 million people still live in poverty. Parliamentarians' salaries are not made public in Nigeria, but diplomats say the country's politicians are among the best paid in the world. The BBC's Bashir Abdullahi in the capital, Abuja, says Mr Danjuma, a retired general and former defence minister, was appointed by Mr Jonathan and is a highly respected figure.
Mr Danjuma said that he realised the "far-reaching recommendations" made by the panel came on the eve of April's elections. "However we think also this is the right time we raise these issues," Nigeria's Daily Trust paper quotes him as saying. He said the president had promised feedback on the suggestions.
2011 Budget Proposal: $27.6bn
- Ministries: $12bn
- Other government bodies: $350m
- Parliament: $707m
- Pensions and gratuities: $1bn
- Transfers to statuary bodies: $1.3bn
- Debt payments: $3.5bn
- Other expenses: $2.6bn
- TOTAL RUNNING COSTS: $21bn
- CAPITAL EXPENDITURE: $6.5bn
"If necessary, we shall be involved in finding remedies to all the issues that we have raised," he said, the Nation newspaper reports. Mr Jonathan, who last week won the ruling party's ticket to run for president, thanked the panel for its report and said its recommendations would be taken seriously.
"You can't provide education, health or security without resources generated from a robust economy," he said. The finance minister has set up a committee to review the government's running costs, and has said cuts have already by made, Reuters news agency reports.
The president's proposal for this year's national budget, which is currently before parliament, shows that nearly 75% of the $27.6bn (£17bn) would be spent on running government and its agencies. Only $6.5bn is proposed for spending on capital projects, such as investment in vital infrastructure.
Mr Jonathan's main opponents for the presidency in April will be former anti-corruption campaigner Nuhu Ribadu and Gen Muhammadu Buhari.
Culled from the BBC
3 comments:
I hope they take this very seriously but in all honesty, i think Ribadu will be more accountable so I hope Nigerians make the right decision. I really don't think that Jonathan is it for even allowing such rubbish budget in the first place! Imagine running government with 75% of the totatl budget n a mere fraction for infrastructure! it's laughable! Only God can deliver us from these devoureres of politicians!! I weep n bleed for Nigeria!
I say Amen to that. Cut down the number of ministries. To many are redundant and just another channel to embezzle money.
Who is TY Danjuma to talk? He should shut up his corrupt mouth! Is he not part and parcel of the clique that named these ministries? If this came from Sanusi or Okonjo-Iweala, i will agree but not from Thief oops TY Danjuma.
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