N317million will be used to feed dogs and horses for the 2019 elections. Here's the breakdown you've been asking for.
So, you probably heard that dogs and horses will gulp a chunk of Nigeria’s national budget ahead of the 2019 general elections. N317million to be specific.
Yeah, whatever you heard or read is correct. We are just here to simplify it all for you.
On Tuesday, July 17, 2018, President Muhammadu Buhari’s letter to the national assembly was read on the floor of the senate by Senate President Bukola Saraki.
In the letter, Buhari requested a total virement of N242billion to fund the 2019 election.
Virement basically means an administrative transfer of funds from one part of the budget to another.
However, given that Nigeria doesn’t have that much money at the moment, the president proposed that lawmakers hand him about half that sum (N164billion).
“In the light of prevailing fiscal constraints, I am proposing that the sum of N164,104,792,065.00 be provided for through virement or supplementation of the 2018 budget”, Buhari said.
Of that amount, N317million will be used to feed dogs and horses.
Millions will also be spent on purchasing police vans, hiring speedboats and all sorts, for the election.
Here’s a breakdown of how the money will be spent:
Medical and general expenses for dogs N143,782,000
Dog food N166, 315,000
Feeding of 50 horses N7,719, 454
Hiring speedboats N499, 500, 000
Printing of non-security materials N100,000,000
Maintenance of police aircraft N87,500,000
Maintenance of police vehicles N407,000,000
NSCDC N1.2billion
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Buhari’s letter to lawmakers contained the following words:“As you are aware, the 2019 general election is scheduled to be conducted early in 2019. To ensure that adequate arrangements are made for free and fair elections, it has become necessary to appropriate funds to enable the relevant agencies to commence preparations”.