In a recent revelation, the Imo State Government has come under sharp criticism from the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) for its purported misplacement of priorities in the allocation of funds in the 2023 budget. According to media reports, the government allocated a staggering sum of N3,105,500,000 for the maintenance of buildings and assets in the government house, surpassing the combined budget allocations for crucial sectors such as education, health, works, and agriculture.

In a statement issued on Friday, HURIWA expressed profound concern, questioning the government’s commitment to the well-being and development of the state’s citizens. The organization highlighted the stark contrast in budgetary allocations between the government house and critical sectors like education and health, which are essential for the overall progress and prosperity of the state.

“In comparison to the hefty N3,105,500,000 allocated for maintaining capital assets, vehicles, furniture, and equipment in the government house, the Ministry of Education received a comparatively meager budget of N1,404,173,708 for its overhead expenditure. This stark disparity is indicative of a significant misplacement of priorities, as education is a fundamental pillar for societal advancement and development.”

“In comparison to the hefty N3, 105,500,000 allocated for maintaining capital assets, vehicles, furniture, and equipment in the government house, the Ministry of Education received a comparatively meager budget of N1, 404,173,708 for its overhead expenditure. This stark disparity is indicative of a significant misplacement of priorities, as education is a fundamental pillar for societal advancement and development.

“Furthermore, the budget breakdown reveals that the ministries of agriculture, health, and works received allocations of N119,200,000, N2,518,417,500, and N93,344,010, respectively, for their overhead expenditures. These allocations fall short of addressing the pressing needs and challenges faced by these critical sectors, particularly in a state striving for progress and sustainable development.

“The breakdown of the budget allocation indicates that a substantial amount, N1, 575,500,000, was earmarked for maintaining office furniture and equipment, while another N1, 530,000,000 was allocated for maintaining vehicles and capital assets under the Office of the Governor. These allocations are disproportionately high, especially when compared to the allocations for education, health, works, and agriculture.

“This is not the first instance of such budgetary decisions, as a similar pattern was observed in the state government’s expenditure in the previous year. In 2022, the government spent N1,775,319,627 on the maintenance of assets, furniture, equipment, and vehicles, while the Ministry of Education spent N982,850,000 on education, N1,291,538,120 on health, N131,634,010 on works, and N103,160,000 on agriculture.”

HURIWA is particularly critical of the N1,200,000,000 estimated for the ‘governor’s running cost’ and the N700,000,000 estimated for maintaining the vehicles in the governor’s office. The organization argued that such significant allocations for the governor’s expenses raise serious questions about the government's commitment to the welfare and development of broader society.

In the scathing statement, signed by the National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA condemned the alleged misplacement of priorities by the Imo State Government, describing it as a “big shame.” The organization called on the government to reconsider its budgetary allocations and prioritize sectors that directly impact the lives and well-being of the citizens, such as education, health, rural development, and agriculture.

In conclusion, HURIWA urged the government to uphold its responsibility to the people and allocate resources in a manner that reflects a genuine commitment to the overall development of the state. The organization emphasized the need for transparency and accountability in budgetary decisions, urging the government to prioritize the needs of the people over personal and political interests.