Amidst Debt, Unemployment Rate: Imo State Allocates N8.5Billion For Lawmakers’ Vehicles, Assembly Complex Landscaping

A review of Imo state's budget performance document reveals that the state allocated N3 billion for the purchase of vehicles for its 27 House of Assembly members. 

This translates to a staggering N111 million per member, with each legislator set to receive a vehicle worth over one hundred million naira.

This revelation comes at a time when there are growing demands for more responsible management of public funds, amidst concerns about scarce resources and increasing financial pressures. 

A further review of the budget reveals an additional allocation of N5.5 billion for the beautification of the House of Assembly complex, raising more questions about the state's spending priorities.

The State House of Assembly's plans to allocate N8.5 billion for vehicles and complex beautification raise concerns, as this amount represents a significant portion of the N15 billion budgeted for constituency projects. 

This means that over half of the funds intended to benefit the people of Imo State through their lawmakers will instead be used by the 27 assembly members for vehicles and complex renovations, leaving limited resources for the constituents they represent.

Notably, the capital expenditure budgets for key ministries in Imo State for 2024 are significantly lower than the House of Assembly's planned spending on vehicles and complex beautification. 

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has a budget of N6.7 billion, while the Ministry of Industries has a budget of N4.1 billion, both of which are exceeded by the N8.5 billion allocated for the House of Assembly's vehicles and landscaping. 

Furthermore, the Health Ministry's capital expenditure budget of N11 billion is only N3.5 billion more than the amount earmarked for the lawmakers' vehicles and complex renovations, highlighting a concerning prioritization of spending.

Meanwhile, the state faces significant economic challenges, with a staggering 56.6% unemployment rate, the highest in Nigeria, according to the 2022 Multidimensional Poverty Index by the National Bureau of Statistics. 

Furthermore, the state is grappling with a substantial debt burden, ranking as the fourth most indebted state in the country, with a debt portfolio of N163 billion, exacerbating its economic woes.