Seadogs knock NASS for approving 2023 ‘anti-people’ budget

The National Association of Seadogs, Pyrates Confraternity has blasted the National Assembly for approving the 2023 national budget presented to it by the Federal Government, which it described at anti-people.

A statement by the NAS Capoon, Mr. Abiola Owoaje entitled, ‘Troubling Trends in the 2023 Budget’ stated that the National Assembly led by the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, should be on the side of the people and was reckless for approving a budget that had over  N10.78tn in deficit.

It also warned that the huge budget deficit could further plunge Nigeria into acute borrowing that would further create economic distortions for the already fragile economy.

Owoaje therefore called for a review of the budget to reflect the current realities of the people.

He said rather than the National Assembly playing “its part as an institution that should be on the side of the people, play oversight functions to checkmate the executive, it has joined in the binge spending and reckless financial jamboree of the executive branch.

“It has therefore urged the Federal Government to cut wastage, especially those allocated to fund the extravagance of political office holders and intensify the war against oil theft to get more revenue to fund the budget.

“In addition to this, the Senate should shake off its self-serving posture and work for Nigerians by ensuring all revenue generating Ministries, Departments and Agencies remit what is due to government coffers. We urge the President of the Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan to walk the talk over the threat to turn the heat on revenue-generating agencies for adequate revenue to fund the implementation of the 2023 budget.

(Punch)