A WikkiTimes review of budget performance documents of NorthEastern States have shown that these states are spending more on foodstuffs, meal subsidy allowance, feeding and entertainment than on critical infrastructures and in some instances than internal security.
Gombe
A review shows that in Gombe meal subsidy allowance gulped a total figure of N251.816 million in 2023, while student feeding took N449 million.
On the same end, the state spent N2.29 billion on entertainment and hospitality in the year. This would mean that in 2023, the sum of N2.969 billion was spent on meal, feeding and entertainment in 2023 by the state.
In contrast, Gombe only spent N946.618 million on provision of hospitals and health centres , the sum of N501.277 million was expended on public schools provision. No money was expended on the repairs of public schools while none was also spent on water facilities nor ICT infrastructures.
This would mean that Gombe’s investment in foodstuffs, meals and entertainment (N2.969 billion) is more than its expenditure on schools or health centres/hospitals provision.
The state also spent more on foodstuffs, meals and entertainment than its actual expenditure on internal security. A total of N303.512 million was spent in all by the state for its ministry of Internal security and home affairs, support for Police Services in 2023.
Adamawa
In 2023, the state spent N698.632 million in total on meals, foodstuffs and refreshment. The breakdown is as follows; N65.327 million (meal subsidy); Foodstuff and catering supplies N52.506 million; refreshment and meals N580.799 million.
In contrast it spent less on Water facilities provision (N623..720 million ); Provision of ICT infrastructures (N13.514 million) and rehabilitation of public schools N412.544 million.
The state spent no money on the provision of Agricultural facilities.
Borno
In Borno,food and catering materials expenses took the sum of N1.072 billion, while refreshment and meals expenditure stood at N449.594 million. In total Borno spent N1.521 billion on food, and meals expenditures.
This is more than it’s combined expenditures on water facilities provision ( N1.475 billion), provision of agricultural facilities (N51.159 billion) and repairs of public schools which stood at N57.620 million.
it is also more than its expenditure on internal security. WikkiTimes tracked a total of N900 million expenditure for security trust fund and public order and safety (N.E.C) for the state in 2023, lesser than what it spent on foodstuffs.
Bauchi
WikkiTimes reported how Bauchi spent N6.490 billion on foodstuffs, catering services , refreshment and meals, amount more than it spent on major infrastructures in the state.
High Poverty Rate, High Money For Foodstuffs
Data from the World Bank shows that North-eastern states have a high poverty rate at 70%.
“The report further stated that due to the activities of the Boko Haram terrorists in the region, about 2.7 million people had been displaced and 12.8 million people needed humanitarian assistance, with North-East Nigeria badly affected.
It added, “Of the 12.8 million people in need of humanitarian assistance, 10.6 million are in the three most highly affected states, Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe, in Nigeria’s North East.”
The National Bureau of Statistics in its report also noted that child multidimensional poverty is higher than 95% in Sokoto, Gombe and Kebbi.
It was earlier reported that the Gombe state government for instance distributed food items to 90,000 persons who are poor and downtrodden.
The ReliefWeb also noted that as of July 2022, 2.3 million persons were internally displaced in the North eastern region of the country.
There have been concerns about infrastructural deficit in terms of education, water among others in some North-eastern part of the country.
