A recent report by non-governmental organization Tracka has revealed that the allocation for streetlight projects in some Nigerian states is higher than the budget allocation for health and education combined.
According to Tracka, which monitors government projects and spending, this trend was observed in some northern states such as Bauchi, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara. In Bauchi state, for instance, the allocated budget for streetlights was ₦1.2bn compared to the combined budget for primary healthcare and education, which stood at ₦1.1bn. Similarly, in Kebbi state, the budget for streetlights was ₦550m while the allocation for healthcare and education stood at ₦450m.
This mismanagement of funds reflects poorly on the priority given to education and healthcare in some states, which are essential for the development and welfare of citizens. Nigeria already faces a plethora of challenges when it comes to health and education, including inadequate facilities, a shortage of staff, poor infrastructure, and underfunding. It is therefore concerning to see that the funds meant for improving healthcare and education systems are being spent on projects with arguably less importance.
Moreover, the issue goes beyond just a misallocation of funds. The report highlights that in some cases, the streetlight projects themselves are not functional or effective. In Bauchi state, for example, many of the streetlights installed are not operational, despite being included in the budget for four years in a row. Such wastage of funds is a disgraceful reflection of the mismanagement of taxpayers’ money.
The situation calls for better accountability measures to ensure that budget allocations are appropriate and that projects are efficiently executed. Citizens must become more active in monitoring government spending and demanding transparency and accountability from government officials.
In conclusion, the findings of the Tracka report are a call to action for the government to prioritize the basic needs of its citizens. Allocating more funds to streetlights than to vital services such as healthcare and education is unacceptable, and action must be taken to rectify these misallocations of funds. Citizens can play their part by remaining vigilant and demanding better accountability measures.
