President Muhammadu Buhari has stated that all those involved in the “padding” of the 2016 National Budget will face the most severe punishment.
According to a statement made available by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, Buhari made this threat while addressing the Nigerian Community in Saudi Arabia and condemned the distortion of the budget proposals by entrenched interests.
It said the President alleged that the unauthorised alterations had completely changed the document from the one he presented to the National Assembly.
“The culprits will not go unpunished. I have been a military governor, petroleum minister, military Head of State and headed the Petroleum Trust Fund.
“Never had I heard the words “budget padding”. Our Minister of Budget and National Planning did a great job with his team. The Minister became almost half his size during the time, working night and day to get the budget ready, only for some people to pad it.
“What he gave us was not what was finally being debated. It is very embarrassing and disappointing. We will not allow those who did it to go unpunished,” President Buhari vowed.
The President also assured members of the Nigerian community that his administration was working diligently to fulfil its campaign promises, particularly on security, unemployment, and corruption.
He reiterated his government’s zero tolerance for corruption, saying it was a monumental task that he is determined to tackle successfully.
“We have zero tolerance for corruption and other unethical practices. We will deal decisively with anybody found wanting,” he promised members of the Nigerian community.
