The All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), on Friday, said the comment credited to the Senate President David Mark during his address at the resumption of the Senate from recess on Wednesday that ?budgets have dashed the hopes of Nigerians for an improved living condition,? was untrue.
Senator Mark allegedly made the comment while elucidating the hopes raised over the years by budgets for a better life.
The ANPP, in its reaction, said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government was responsible for failed budget implementations.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Emma Eneukwu, the ANPP said it was self-evident that the words coming from the Senate President has shown the emptiness of the claims by PDP during its recent celebration of 14th anniversary, where it gave itself a pass mark, boasting laying a new solid foundation for socio-economic prosperity for the nation.
?Bearing in mind that a national budget is the most important economic policy instrument for governments and has the singular duty of translating the campaign promises, political commitments and goals of the government in power into visible parameters in the lives of the citizenry, we believe that PDP has failed the people of Nigeria with whom they have a social contract,? it said.
According to ANPP, experts have averred that the budget system and process in any country are central in determining the extent to which it has an open, democratic and participatory system of government; and that any failed budget has automatically and fundamentally reduced the standard of living of the citizens.
It pointed out that the PDP government was known to making appointments based strictly on patronage and not on patriotism.
?These appointed men and women disregard best practices in budget implementation and assessment, and feather their nests in detriment to the country and the citizens,? ANPP said.
The party, however, urged the National Assembly to insist and ensure that the whole stages in budget cycle?formulation, enactment, execution and auditing are adhered to, based on internationally accepted best practices.
It said: ?As a party, we recognise that fiscal discipline, effective allocation and efficient public service are the ingredients the country needs now more than ever to curb the recurring decimal of failed budgets, for the people to benefit from the abundant resources this great country is endowed with.?
