By Ben Agande & Inalegwu Shaibu
Mixed reactions Tuesday trailed the 2011 budget from Senators as they commenced deliberation on the general principles of the 2011 appropriation bill. This is just as a rights group, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, petitioned the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights over the jumbo pay of Nigerian lawmakers.

While some Senators commended the spirit of the budget, others expressed scepticism about the ability of the Federal Government to fully implement the N4.2 trillion 2011 federal budget.

Senators were particularly concerned about the proposed N50 billion budgeted for job creation, noting that throwing the lump-sum amount into job creation without sound economic footing will not yield the desired results.

Senator Ahmed Lawal, ANPP, Yobe while commending the budget said it had the potential of suffering power implementation just like the previous budgets, noting that the government in trying to tackle unemployment must first of all address the problem of infrastructure, and the economy.

He said: “Job creation is not about putting money in schools and appointing Special Advisers as enumerated by our President. It requires sustained economic environment that will support investment.”

Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba , PDP, Cross River called for a review in the running cost of government, noting that the current trend where government’s expenditure topples money for capital expenditure will only drag the country back.

His words: “The real issue confronting Nigeria is the cost of running government at every level. If you go to the local government, the cost of running government at that level is not different from state and Federal Government. The time has come to look at the not only the structure of government but also the cost of running it. We have to ensure that more money is put in capital budget so that Nigerians will enjoy the benefits.

Senator Omar Hambagda, ANPP, Bornu also believes the 2011 budget may perform poorly given that the N50 billion proposed for job creation is not backed by any model.

SERAP petitions UN

Meanwhile, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has petitioned the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights over the jumbo pay of Nigerian lawmakers, arguing that it “undermines the country’s international obligations to use its maximum available resources to fulfil the economic and social rights of Nigerians.”

In the petition signed by its Executive Director, Adetokunbo Mumuni, SERAP said it is “seriously concerned that the unreasonable pay increase and allocation of 25 per cent of the country’s revenues for salaries and allowances of the members of the National Assembly flies in the face of the requirements by the UN obligating states to allocate at least 26 per cent of revenue for education as Nigeria is currently allocating less than 10 per cent.