By
His Excellency President Olusegun Obasanjo
At the Joint Session of the National Assembly
Abuja, Wednesday, October 11, 2006
PROTOCOLS:
It is with great honour that I present to this Joint Session of the National
Assembly, the 2007 Budget Proposal of the Federal Government of Nigeria.
As with the budgets for the last three years, the 2007 budget has been prepared
against the background of a Medium-Term Expenditure Framework, which takes
account of forecast revenue and expenditure for the next three years.
The preparation of the 2007 budget has followed a well-defined participatory
process aimed at ensuring that the spending proposals presented therein are
properly linked with our long-term poverty reduction strategies as articulated
in the National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (NEEDS) and the
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Building on the work done in 2005, the process for preparing the 2007 budget
commenced with the development and documentation of Medium-Term Sector
Strategies for 18 key Ministries, which account for about three quarters of the
spending by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
These Medium-Term Sector Strategies detail fully costed initiatives and
expenditure plans within the limits of available resources and set out
well-defined performance measures including outputs and outcomes. These
strategies have been prepared with the active participation of Civil Society,
the Organised Private Sector and members of the relevant Committees of this
Distinguished and Honourable Assembly.
I am personally gratified by your enthusiasm, commitment and invaluable
contribution to the development of these strategies, which form the basis of,
and accompany, the 2007 budget, which I will lay before you.
As part of our continuous efforts to strengthen public expenditure management
and ensure transparency, accountability and value for money, the 2007 budget
presents unprecedented level of details for our spending proposals.
Specifically, we present before you, Payroll proposals with detailed Nominal
Rolls, including names, file numbers and other information on the employees on
the payroll of the Federal Government, Overheads proposal with detailed
breakdown of cost components and unit costs, Capital spending proposals with
project details, full information on project funding history, percentage
completion and estimates of full completion costs.
Providing this level of detail has helped us to make significant spending
efficiency gains and it is our hope that this level of detail will further
foster transparency, accountability and value for money. We will use the payroll
data, which we have now gathered to build an Integrated Personnel and Payroll
Information System to better control payroll spending.
What is the 2007 budget all about? It is about “Accelerating Physical and Human
Infrastructure for Wealth Creation and Poverty Reduction”. It builds upon and
consolidates the work that has been done with the budgets for the past three
years and continues the reform of our national economy. As with the 2006 budget,
it makes ample provision for improving physical infrastructure, particularly,
water, power and roads. We have also accorded priority to social safety nets and
measures aimed at reducing the incidence of poverty and improving our social
indicators.
Specifically, the 2007 budget provides:-
• N11 billion for the dredging of the River Niger from Lokoja to Warri;
• N36 billion for the construction of the much awaited East-West Road;
• N21 billion for the construction of the Kano-Maiduguri Road dualisation;
• N17 billion for the completion of the Gurara Water Project;
• N80 billion for Pensions under the Pay-As-You-Go System;
• N50 billion to continue with and accelerate the on-going reforms of the
public service.
Consistent with our commitments under the Paris Club Debt deal, the 2007 budget
channels all the debt relief gains amounting to N110 billion to carefully
selected poverty reduction initiatives and programmes in Health, Education,
Water, Power, Housing, FCT, Youth and Agriculture, as additional, incremental
spending for the attainment of the MDGs.
The 2007 budget is about the ordinary citizen, it is about accelerating the
provision of basic infrastructure to improve the quality of life of our people
and to enable businesses to thrive, create jobs and thereby reduce the incidence
of poverty.
REVIEW OF BUDGET 2005
The total projected revenue for 2005 was N1.6 trillion (this included N165
billion from the “Excess Crude” account and N100 billion from independent
revenue).
In the course of the 2005 fiscal year, revenue projections had to be revised
downwards because of the situation in the Niger Delta. Total actual revenues in
2005 was therefore only about N1.4 trillion.
Against the actual revenues of N1.4 trillion in 2005, the 2005 Appropriation Act
authorized aggregate spending of N1.8 trillion, representing a growth of 38%.
This was made up of statutory transfers of N90 billion, debt service of N356
billion and MDA spending of N1.4 trillion representing a growth of 52%. The MDA
spending comprised Recurrent (Non-Debt) Expenditure of N737 billion and Capital
Expenditure of N617 billion respectively.
As a result of the significant reduction in available revenues, we could only
implement N1.5 trillion out of N1.8 trillion authorised by the 2005
Appropriation Act. While N90 billion was planned for Transfers, actual Transfers
was N79 billion because transfers to the Niger Delta Development Commission and
the Universal Basic Education Commission are dependent on actual revenues. For
Debt Service, N356 billion was planned but actual Debt Service was N394 billion.
The sum of N737 billion was planned for Recurrent (Non-Debt) while actual
spending was N730 billion. For capital spending, N617 billion was appropriated
and N519 billion was released and cash-backed but only N494 billion was
utilised. Total capital budget implementation was thus 80% after taking into
account the proportion of the spending that spilled over into 2006.
The fiscal deficit for 2005 was N100 billion or 0.8% of GDP, well below the
budget forecast of N354 billion or 2.8% of GDP. The fiscal deficit for 2005 was
financed from privatisation proceeds and signature bonuses received.
REVIEW OF BUDGET 2006
The 2006 Budget was predicated on oil production of 2.5 million barrels per day
and a benchmark oil price of US$35 per barrel. Based on these assumptions, we
projected that total revenue available to fund the federal budget would be N1.5
trillion.
Early in the second quarter of 2006, we lost production of 600,000 barrels per
day from the Joint Venture operations due to disruptions in the Niger Delta.
These losses are likely to continue until year-end. Due to these losses, we
estimate that revenue accruing to the Federation Account will be N570 billion
less than planned. The impact of this on the federal budget is about N216
billion.
In order to ensure smooth implementation of the budgets of the Federal, State
and Local Governments, we sought your understanding to draw up to N570 billion
from the excess crude account to make up for this shortfall. Half of this sum
was distributed in July 2006. The other half will be distributed in October
after reviewing the situation for the first three quarters of the year.
As at 31 August 2006, out of the N92 billion appropriated for Transfers, a total
of N52 billion had been released.
For Debt Service, implementation stood at N159 billion or 55% of the
appropriated sum of N290 billion. The Recurrent (Non-Debt) Expenditure
comprising Payroll and Overheads was implemented in full. For Capital
Expenditure, a total of N426 billion, or 75% of the appropriated amount of N569
billion has been released.
Health
With respect to healthcare, we have completed the rehabilitation and
re-equipping of four of our Teaching Hospitals and they are now centres of
excellence for tertiary healthcare, training and research. Another four are to
be completed very soon. A total of 200 Primary Health Care Centres have been
completed and fully equipped. An additional 93 Primary Health Care Centres are
close to completion. Contracts for the construction and equipping of an
additional 150 such Centres and the refurbishing of 100 existing Centres will
soon be awarded.
National HIV/AIDS prevalence rate has dropped in 2005 to 4.4% from 5.0% in 2003.
This development is a direct result of the increased awareness advocacy that we
have embarked upon and the establishment of 190 Voluntary Counselling and
Testing (VCT) Centres nationwide. We are supporting infected persons with
Anti-retroviral drugs through over 100 Treatment Centres which we have
established nationwide.
To combat malaria, over 10 million Insecticide Treated Nets have been
distributed. We are presently procuring 3 million additional Insecticide Treated
Nets for distribution to pregnant women and children under the age of 5. We have
trained about 4,000 health workers and over 3,000 community leaders on the new
malaria treatment policy. Two and a half million doses of new treatment drugs
have been distributed to 18 States and the FCT. Another 2.9 million doses are
currently being distributed to the remaining 18 States. These drugs are being
distributed free of charge for use by children under the age of 5.
We have procured chemicals and spray pumps in readiness for the commencement of
house-to-house and outdoor spraying to destroy mosquitoes.
We believe that these will help reduce the incidence of malaria and malaria
related deaths.
Works
As at 31 August 2006, we had released N52 billion or 71 % of the N73 billion
appropriated for capital for Works for the construction, rehabilitation and
repairs of roads nationwide. Road construction, rehabilitation and repair works
are at various stages of completion. Roads such as, Ibadan-Ilorin, Abuja-Keffi,
Kaduna Eastern Bypass, Kano-Kaduna Dual Carriageway, Bodo-Bonny, Eleme Junction
Fly Over, Warri-Benin, Benin Bypass and Onitsha-Owerri, are receiving priority
attention.
Power
On Power, we have made significant progress in the rehabilitation and expansion
of generation capacity, transmission and distribution. Work is progressing on
the seven new medium-sized Power Plants in the Niger Delta Region, at Ihovbor,
Sapele, Gbarain, Egbema, Calabar and Omoku. 4 additional Power Stations in
Geregu, Papalanto, Omotosho and Alaoji are now nearing completion. The
procurement process for the development of the 2,600 MW Mambilla Hydro Power
Station is almost completed and all contracts for the procurement process are
expected to be finalised soon.
Following the enactment of the Electricity Power Reform Act, we have made
far-reaching institutional changes in the power sector. These changes include
the unbundling of NEPA, deregulation of the sector to admit participation by
other tiers of government and the private sector, the establishment of the
Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission and the Rural Electrification Agency.
We are on course to complete about 557 electricity constituency projects, which
were awarded in 2006. We have commissioned 2 Pilot Solar Projects in Katsina and
Bauchi States and have recently awarded the contract for another 2 such projects
in Cross River and Ogun States.
Aviation
We are taking decisive steps to reposition the aviation sector. We are deploying
modern and efficient navigational aids through the Total Radar Coverage Project
and the Safe Tower Project. We are rehabilitating and resurfacing runways,
erecting perimeter fencing and upgrading meteorological services to ensure the
safety of air travel.
We have procured search and rescue training equipment and are strengthening
institutional capacity in the aviation sector. Our immediate goal is to ensure
that the aviation industry passes the International Civil Aviation Authority
(ICAO) audit slated for November 2006.
Agriculture
Our strategic programmes in Agriculture are helping to ensure sustainable
production of adequate nutritional food for Nigerians and for the export market.
Output of staples such as maize, millet, sorghum, cassava, rice, vegetable oil
and yam have increased tremendously as a direct result of the Presidential
Initiatives in these areas and our fertilizer procurement and distribution
programme through which we continue to subsidize the price of fertilizer.
Specifically, annual production of cassava tubers has increased by about 14
million metric tonnes, annual production of rice has increased by more than 1
million metric tonnes and annual production of maize has increased by well over
1 million metric tonnes.
To curb post harvest losses and protect the gains of increased production, we
have increased our silo storage capacity to 1 million metric tonnes with the
recent completion and commissioning of four additional silo complexes.
The Presidential Initiatives in other areas such as livestock production,
fisheries and aquaculture and economic trees are also helping to increase
production significantly and create employment in these areas.
At the beginning of this year, our stock of poultry was threatened with the
outbreak of the highly pathogenic Avian Flu disease. Our “Diseases Emergency
Preparedness Plan” enabled us to curtail this outbreak promptly and with minimal
losses.
We are sustaining the over 7% growth rates in the agricultural sector. It is our
expectation that, as in 2005, the agricultural sector will remain the principal
driver of non-oil growth.
Education
We are upgrading facilities, and teaching and research equipment in our tertiary
educational institutions nationwide to improve the quality of educational
services in these institutions. We have provided and released direct teaching
and research grants to these tertiary institutions to help upgrade the quality
of tuition.
Work is presently ongoing on the revision of school curricula at all levels to
improve the quality, relevance and practicality of education. Special attention
is being paid to vocational and science education.
Before the end of this month, we will have a stakeholders’ forum on education to
redirect our educational policy and ensure value for money. We must
realistically face the following issues: education for all; education for what;
quality of education; paying for education; and product of education.
Special, targeted training programmes are being implemented to improve the
quality of our teachers across all levels of education, particularly at the
primary and secondary school levels. We are also establishing Federal Colleges
of Education or Polytechnics in States that have no Federal tertiary educational
institutions.
As at 31 August 2006, we had released N15.2 billion of the N30.5 billion
appropriated for the Universal Basic Education Commission for the provision of
grants to States and Local Governments to help support basic education.
These grants are being applied to upgrade facilities, train and re-train primary
school teachers and fund our Home-Grown School Feeding Programme for primary
school pupils.
Water
As at 31 August 2006, we had released N55 billion or 72 % of the N76 billion
capital allocation to Water for the execution of various water supply, dams and
irrigation projects nationwide. Only recently, we commissioned the Kano
Irrigation Project, which supplies irrigation water to over 22,000 hectares of
farmland.
Work is also at an advanced stage on the Gurara Water Project, which is expected
to provide a long-term solution to the water supply needs of the residents of
Abuja and its environs.
Other dams, water supply and irrigation projects, such as the Shagari Dam, Owena
Dam, Zobe Dam, Onitsha/Nnewi Water Supply Project, Azare Water Supply Project,
Hadeja Valley Irrigation Project and the Middle Rima Valley Irrigation Project
are at various stages of completion.
Pension Arrears
With your understanding, we have issued bonds to financial institutions and
raised the sum of N75 billion to payoff arrears of pensions owed to about
270,000 pensioners. Payments have commenced and all verified pensioners are
presently being paid. We have thus laid to rest, the lingering and seemingly
intractable issue of arrears of pensions. We now have a biometric database of
pensioners under the Pay-As-You-Go system. This means that we now have a firm
grip of how much is payable to each pensioner. We are also strengthening the
administration of pension to ensure that going forward, pensions are paid as and
when due.
Local Contractors
We have also solved the problem of arrears owed to local contractors.
Contractors owed below N100 million and whose claims have been verified have
been paid. For contractors owed N1 billion and above whose claims have been
verified, we have issued them with bonds to securitize our indebtedness. These
two groups represent over three quarters of arrears owed to local contractors.
The contractors owed the remaining one quarter of the arrears will be issued
with their bonds before 31 December 2006 and consequently reflate the economy.
We have been resolute in our resolve to payoff these lingering liabilities in
the firm belief that by so doing, we would help inject fresh funds into the
businesses of these contractors – fresh funds, which will enable them grow their
businesses.
Debt Relief Savings
The choice of directing all savings from Debt Relief towards projects and
programmes related to the MDGs are beginning to bear fruit. Nine out of our MDG
related Ministries have scaled up their efforts to reduce poverty at the State
and Local Government levels. For example, in the education sector, we are
currently facilitating in-service training for over 145,000 teachers nationwide.
Targeted capacity building on this scale has not happened in the last two
decades. Other such initiatives in Health, Water and Agriculture are also being
implemented. We continue to track resource utilisation and performance in these
areas through the Oversight of Public Expenditure in NEEDS (OPEN) – our
accounting based expenditure tracking system.
Outlook for the Rest of 2006
We expect expenditure plans for the rest of 2006 to remain largely in line with
budget. Accordingly, we expect the fiscal deficit to remain within the set
target of N352 billion or 2.4% of nominal GDP.
2007 BUDGET
THEME AND FOCUS
Basic Physical and Human infrastructure remain central to the realisation of our
developmental aspirations. Whilst we have made significant improvements in this
regard with the budgets of the last three years, there remains a compelling need
to do more and accelerate the pace of work in these areas. Against this
background, the central theme of the 2007 Budget is to “Accelerate Investments
in Basic Physical Infrastructure and Human Resource Capital”.
In line with its theme, the 2007 Budget gives impetus to the ongoing work in
power, water, roads, security, education and health. These investments are
targeted at improving the quality of life of our citizens and addressing the
infrastructural inadequacies presently constraining the ability of our business
people to operate efficiently, grow their businesses, create wealth, generate
employment and take their rightful place as the drivers of growth of our
national economy.
A total of N446 billion representing 24% of spending by Ministries, Departments
and Agencies and 61% of the capital budget is proposed for developmental
spending.
Accelerating the development of human capital is crucial to our ability to
attain our developmental aspirations as articulated in NEEDS and the MDGs. In
this regard, the 2007 Budget focuses on improving the quality of education,
healthcare and social services. Our goal is to ensure that we translate the
gains of the strong fiscal outcomes of the last three years to improvement in
our social indicators and the quality of life of our citizens.
In the pursuit of our developmental aspirations, we have remained mindful of the
need to maintain macroeconomic stability and remain fiscally prudent. As with
the budgets of the last three years, our strategy is to focus on the completion
of ongoing projects; but we have taken onboard a few new projects targeted at
providing long-term solutions to lingering infrastructure deficiencies.
KEY ASSUMPTIONS AND TARGETS
The 2007 Budget is based on a number of assumptions and is driven by the need to
meet certain targets, which we have set for ourselves. The assumptions and
targets are as follows:
• Oil price of $40 per barrel - (US$35 in 2006)
• Crude oil production of 2.5 million barrels per day - (2.4 million
barrels per day in 2006)
• Joint Venture Cash Calls of US$4.5billlion - (US$4.2 in 2006)
• GDP growth rate of 10% - (7% in 2006)
• Inflation rate of 9% - (10% in 2006)
• Exchange rate of N126 to US$1 – (N129 to US$1 in 2006)
We have increased the benchmark price of oil to US$40 per barrel to ensure that
we fund the budget with predictable revenues whilst ensuring that the benchmark
price remains prudent. We have remained conservative in our estimate of crude
oil production given the present disruptions in the Niger Delta. Joint Venture
Cash Call has been raised by about US$300 million.
Our growth projections of 10% are admittedly ambitious but realistic. We expect
Agriculture, Solid Minerals and Telecommunications to drive this growth.
Improvements to basic infrastructure and continued macroeconomic stability are
expected to continue to spur investments, growth in output, and wealth creation.
We expect the exchange rate to remain stable and to maintain the gains achieved
with the convergence of rates in both the official and inter-bank markets as
well as the parallel market.
REVENUE PROJECTIONS:
Federation Account
Based on the previously mentioned assumptions, we expect N4.3 trillion to accrue
to the Federation Account. This represents an increase of 23% over 2006. Oil
Revenue is estimated at N3.2 trillion, while Non-Oil Revenue is estimated at
N1.1 trillion. Oil Revenue represents 84% of total estimated revenue while
Non-Oil Revenue represents 16%.
Oil revenue, representing 84% of total estimated revenue is uncomfortably too
high. I have addressed the leadership of the National Assembly on the issue of
VAT. We will need to continue to grow the non-oil revenue. Revenue from one
commodity or product should not be more than 50% of our total revenue for now to
ensure security and stability.
Oil Revenue
Of the N3.2 trillion that we estimate will accrue from Oil Revenue, Crude Oil
Sales is expected to contribute N1.6 trillion (49%) as against N1.3 trillion in
2006; Petroleum Profits Tax is estimated at N1.1 trillion or (35%) compared to
N984 billion in 2006; while Royalties and Others should account for N532 billion
or (16%), as against N474 billion in 2006.
Non-Oil Revenue
This is made up of Companies’ Income Tax, Value Added Tax and Customs & Excise
Duties. Of the sum of N1.1 trillion expected to accrue to the Federation Account
from Non-Oil Revenue; Companies’ Income Tax is expected to account for N299
billion (28%), as against N230 billion in 2006; Value Added Tax should
contribute N530 billion (50%) as against N225 billion in 2006; while it is
estimated that Customs & Excise Duties will account for N230 billion (22%) as
against N197 billion in 2006.
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT REVENUE
The revenue accruable to the Federal Government from the Federation Account for
2007 is estimated at N1.8 trillion. This represents an increase of 20% over
2006.
FEDERAL BUDGET SHARE
Of the estimated N1.8 trillion that will accrue to the Federal Government from
the Federation Account, the revenue accruable to the Federal Budget will be N1.7
trillion as against N1.4 trillion in 2006. This is after deducting amounts that
go to the Ecology Fund (N35billion), Stabilization Fund (N17billion),
Development of Natural Resources (N58billion), and the FCT (N35billion).
INDEPENDENT REVENUE
Independent Revenue made up of revenues that accrue exclusively to the Federal
Government from the, operating surpluses and dividends of commercial enterprises
the country owns is expected to be N86 billion as against N75 billion in 2006.
TOTAL REVENUE ACCRUABLE TO FEDERAL BUDGET
Our estimate of total revenue available to fund the 2007 Budget is N1.8
trillion. This is made up of N1.7 trillion share of the Federation Account and
N0.1 trillion of Independent Revenue. This represents a 20% growth relative to
2006.
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE
Proposed aggregate expenditure for 2007 is N2.3 trillion. This represents a 21%
increase over the N1.9 trillion authorised by the 2006 Appropriation Act.
The proposed level of aggregate expenditure is made up of the following –
• Statutory Transfers of N102 billion
• Debt Service of N326 billion
• Spending of Ministries, Departments and Agencies of N1.8 trillion
Given estimated total revenue available to fund the federal budget, we plan a
fiscal deficit of N0.5 trillion or 2.9% of GDP. This deficit will be financed
from the proceeds of sale of government properties and domestic borrowings.
I will now provide details of the expenditure heads.
STATUTORY TRANSFERS
In compliance with the obligations imposed on us by law, we shall transfer the
sum of N43billion to the National Judicial Council (NJC), as against N35 billion
in 2006; N24 billion to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), as
against N26 billion in 2006; N35 billion to the Universal Basic Education
Commission (UBEC) as against N31 billion in 2006.
DEBT SERVICE
Total debt stock stands at N2.4 trillion, as at the end of June 2006. This is
made up of domestic debts of N1.8 trillion and external debts of N616 billion
(US$4.8 billion).
DOMESTIC DEBT
The stock of domestic public debt is expected to reach N1.8 trillion at the end
of this year compared to N1.5 trillion as at 31 December 2005. This figure
represents an increase of N285 billion or 20% above 2006. The increase in the
debt stock is due principally to the clearance of contractor and pension arrears
amounting to N150 billion and N75 billion, respectively.
In 2007, we propose to borrow N200 billion from the domestic market to partly
finance the budget deficit; we therefore, expect that the stock of the domestic
debt will increase to N2 trillion by the end of 2007.
We propose to borrow N200 billion from the domestic debt market instead of
drawing down on the excess crude account because to do so will increase
liquidity significantly and the cost of mopping this up will significantly
exceed the cost of servicing the proposed borrowing.
The cost of servicing domestic public debt is estimated at N265 billion in 2007.
This represents an increase of 20% relative to 2006 and includes an amount set
aside for the Central Bank of Nigeria for liquidity management.
EXTERNAL DEBTS
Total external debt stock outstanding as at the end June of 2006 stood at US$4.8
billion.
This is made up of –
1. London Club -
US$1.4 billion
2. Multilateral Debts - US$2.7 billion
3. Promissory Notes -
US$0.6 billion
4. Other Non-Paris Club Debt - US$0.1 billion
For 2007, we have earmarked the sum of N61 billion for servicing of our external
debts.
Going forward, we are finalizing a strategy that will ensure the redemption of
our London Club debts as well as the Promissory Notes. By mid 2007, the only
loans that will be in our debt portfolio would be the Multi-lateral debts and
non-London Club (Bilateral) debts. The implementation of this strategy will
further alter the composition of our external debt stock to more manageable
levels, while ensuring an optimal mix.
By the end of 2007, we expect our total debt to GDP ratio to be 15%.
Nigeria is now one of the few countries outside the Organisation for Economic
Co-operation and Development (OECD) with a debt to GDP ratio below 20%. This
manageable debt level continues to allow us to redirect expenditure away from
debt service payments to spending on pro-poor projects.
SPENDING BY MINISTRIES, DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES
We propose a total of N1.8 trillion for spending by Ministries, Departments and
Agencies. This represents a 20.7% growth relative to 2006. This is made up of –
• Payroll of N652 billion, representing an increase of 3.8% relative to
2006;
• Overheads of N405 billion, representing an increase of 24.1% relative
to 2006; and
• Capital Expenditure of N781 billion, representing a growth of 38.1%
relative to 2006.
Payroll and Overheads, which together constitute Recurrent (Non-Debt)
Expenditure account for 57% of total spending while Capital Expenditure accounts
for 43%.
The significant increase in proposed spending by Ministries, Departments and
Agencies is largely attributable to increased developmental spending targeted at
accelerating and scaling up the provision of basic infrastructure and developing
our human resources capital. These account for about 77% of the growth in
spending.
Reforms to our public expenditure management system and other initiatives to
better control spending, makes us confident of our ability to deliver better
value for our spending and counter balance any adverse short-run macroeconomic
effects of our planned acceleration and scaling-up of developmental spending.
HIGHLIGHTS OF KEY PROJECTS
Transport
We propose capital expenditure of N13 billion for the Transport Sector.
Specifically, we have set aside the sum of N11 billion for the dredging of the
River Niger from Lokoja to Warri, (including the construction of jetties). We
expect these investments to greatly improve the movement of goods and persons
and help increase the pace of productive economic activities.
Water
A total of N95 billion is proposed for the water sector, up by 18% from N80
billion in 2006. The Completion of the Gurara Water Project for the supply of
water to the residents of Abuja and its environs is accorded priority. N17
billion is provided for this purpose.
Huge investments are proposed for the construction of dams such as the Owiwi
Dam, Shagari Dam, Ile-Ife Dam, Jada Multipurpose Dam, Kashimbila Dam Project and
the Galma Multipurpose Dam. Similarly, significant funds are being provided for
various irrigation and water supply projects nationwide.
Works
A total of N191 billion has been allocated to works sector for 2007. This
represents an increase of 110% over the N91 billion provided in 2006.
Specifically, N17 billion has been provided to the Federal Road Maintenance
Agency (FERMA) for the maintenance of Federal Highways which currently owes a
debt of about N12 billion; N36 billion is provided for the construction of the
East-West Road; N21 billion for the construction of the Kano-Maiduguri Road; and
N6 billion for the Abuja-Lokoja Road. Funds have also been provided for other
key road projects nationwide.
To augment government spending on the provision of roads we are seeking to
attract private investments into the road sector. In this regard, we have
already received and are presently appraising private sector proposals for the
construction of the second Niger Bridge at Onitsha/Asaba and a Bridge across
River Benue at Bagana on the basis of public-private partnership.
Agriculture
For the Agriculture sector, the focus of the 2007 budget continues to be to
support small holders’ agricultural production and processing. A total of N38
billion is proposed for this sector, up by 23% from N31 billion in 2006.
Specifically, funds have been provided for key projects and initiatives,
including –
• Procurement of Tractors and Implements supplied at subsidized rates
• Buyer of Last Resort Programme with expected bumper harvest
• Agricultural Credits and Subsidies, including the Fertilizer Subsidy
Programme
• Presidential Initiatives on Rice, Cassava, Vegetable Oil, Livestock,
Fisheries and Tree Crops
• Chinese South-South Cooperation Programme
Education
We propose a total allocation of N186 billion for the education sector in 2007
up from N166 billion in 2006. This represents a growth of 12%. The bulk of the
allocation is targeted at human resource capacity building, upgrading of
facilities in our educational institutions and bold new reforms to improve the
quality of and access to education.
This excludes our intervention through the Universal Basic Education Commission,
through which we are providing additional resources of N35 billion to States and
Local Governments to support basic education. These additional resources are
being used to upgrade infrastructure and teaching facilities in our primary
schools across the nation and to fund, among other initiatives, our homegrown
school feeding programme through which we are providing one full meal to our
pupils.
Health
For the Health Sector, we propose a total allocation of N122 billion for 2007, a
14% increase over the 2006 allocation of N107 billion.
Funds have been provided for the following projects, among others,
• Refurbishing and equipping all Federal Tertiary Health Institutions
(including the VAMED programme for Teaching Hospitals)
• National AIDS/STI Control Programme, including the procurement and
distribution of ARVs and test kits
• Rollback Malaria Programme, including the procurement of new drugs for
malaria case management and Insecticide Treated Nets
• National Programme on Immunisation for routine immunisation
• Capacity building and training for 5,000 health workers on integrated
management of childhood illnesses.
Power
We have allocated a total of N105 billion to the Power and Steel Sector. This
represents an increase of 35% over the 2006 allocation of N78 billion. The
following are the key projects for which funds have been provided in the 2007
budget –
• Completion of 32 ongoing Transmission Projects
• Implementation of ongoing Rural Electrification Projects
• Establishment of Rural Access Trust Fund
• Distribution projects to remove bottleneck in supply
• Completion of Generation projects in 2007 to complement the National
Integrated Power Project
These exclude the ongoing work on National Integrated Power Project in the Niger
Delta region with expected output of 2,555MW in 2007.
Security
We are providing additional resources to our security services, particularly
Defence and the Police, to help ensure the security of lives and property. A
total of N213 billion is proposed for the Police and Defence. We are providing
our security services with arms and ammunition, improved information and
telecommunications equipment and facilities, riot control equipment and
logistics support.
We are also rehabilitating the residential and office accommodation of the
security services, recruiting additional personnel and training and retraining
existing personnel.
MDGs
Included in these allocations are the debt relief savings for 2007 totalling
N110 billion. As in 2006, these savings are being used exclusively to support
and scale up spending on MDG related initiatives and programmes. We propose to
increase investments in areas that performed well in the 2006 budget and
reinforce other projects and programmes in Health and Education.
Of the N110 billion debt relief savings, we propose to allocate N22 billion to
States and the FCT as Conditional Grants, for targeted results-oriented
expenditure in the States. This is a Safety Net programme targeted at ensuring
that the rural poor have access to markets and credit.
It is my sincere belief that the MDGs are better attained through the States and
Local Governments. Our role at the Federal level is to maintain oversight over
these grants and to support the efforts of States and Local Governments that
have demonstrated their commitment to reform, good governance and the
socio-economic development of their people. We are presently working with all
stakeholders, including the relevant Committees of this Distinguished and
Honourable Assembly to document eligibility guidelines and oversight modalities.
The detailed budget contains a list of the priority projects slated for
completion this fiscal year in each sector. Let me now turn to some special
issues.
Shortfall in 2006 Provision to Support Pump Price of Petroleum Products
In 2006, we provided N75 billion, as the federal government’s share, to support
the pump prices of petroleum products.
As at half year total amount spent was N120 billion and we expect this to grow
to N250 billon by year-end. The Federal Government’s share of this will be N125
billion. This means that there will be a shortfall of N50 billion in 2006. We
have provided for this in the 2007 budget.
This level of subsidy impairs our ability to direct spending to other areas;
therefore in 2007, we are providing only N50 billion for this purpose. Total
provision in the 2007 budget is therefore N100 billion. States and Local
Governments are also expected to provide a similar amount.
Pensions
We are providing N80 billion for pensions under the Pay-As-You-Go System for the
2007 fiscal year to ensure that our pensioners are paid as and when due.
Public Service Reforms
To ensure that our Public Service Reform continues, we have set aside the sum of
N50 billion in 2007 to support this programme. Our aim is to improve service
quality in the Public Service by -
• Improving the quality and mix of our staff;
• Ensuring that staff work with modern tools
• Rightsizing staffing levels; and
• Providing timely and relevant continuing education to our staff.
2007 General Elections
Funding is also being provided to the Independent National Electoral Commission
to ensure adequate preparations for the 2007 general elections. We have
earmarked the sum of N27 billion in the 2007 Budget for this purpose. This is in
addition to the N55 billion which we provided in the 2006 budget for the same
purpose.
FINANCING OF MAJOR DEVELOPMENTAL PROJECTS FROM THE EXCESS CRUDE ACCOUNT
All tiers of government have committed to jointly execute and fund six (6) major
developmental projects, with large foreign exchange components. These projects
are in three (3) sectors, namely, Railways, Power and Oil and Gas. The projects
under each sector and their estimated cost are as follows
Railway
• PHASE I: Lagos – Minna - Kano with Minna – Abuja – Kaduna Spur,
Standard Gauge Double Track, (150km per hour design Speed) Railway Line –
estimated to cost US$8.3 billion in four years.
Power
• Niger-Delta Integrated Power Plants (Phase I) - estimated to cost
US$3.8 billion; including transmission and provision of gas.
• Mambila Hydro Power Project – estimated to cost US$3.2 billion; over a
period of four years; and
• Combined Cycle for Geregu, Alaoji, Papalanto and Omotosho Power Plants
– estimated to cost US$1.7 billion to increase the generation from these
facilities by 2,300 MW over the next three years.
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)
• Equity investment in OK LNG Plant – estimated to cost US$9.8 billion;
• Equity investment in OK Pipeline Project– estimated to cost US$2.0
billion; and
• Equity investment in Brass LNG Plant – also estimated to cost US$8.5
billion.
These projects are to be jointly funded by all tiers of government from the
Excess Crude Account.
We will seek your authorisation for the Federal Government’s share of these
major expenditures. Other tiers of government will also seek authorisation for
their portion of the spending from their respective legislative arms.
The Honourable Minister of Finance, will provide comprehensive information on
each of these projects to this Distinguished and Honourable Assembly.
IMPACT
It is our expectation that the carefully targeted spending proposed in the 2007
Budget, will help stimulate investment, growth in output, and wealth creation.
Concerns have been expressed about the impact of our proposed additional
developmental spending on inflation and exchange rates. However, we are
confident that the spending proposals, which we have presented before you, will
have no material adverse effect on exchange rate and inflation.
We expect the exchange rate and interest rates to remain stable for the
following reasons –
• Our strengthened public expenditure management system has improved the
quality of our spending;
• A large percentage of the spending is in foreign exchange and will
therefore not be inflationary in the local economy;
• The size of our reserves will help ensure that we pay for these
expenditures without any significant adverse effects on exchange rates; and
• As part of Domestic Service costs, funds have been allocated in this
budget to the Central Bank of Nigeria for liquidity management.
CONCLUSION
Distinguished Senators, Honourable
Members of the House of Representatives, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, our
financial condition is stronger than at any other time in the last two decades
and we expect it to become even stronger. With your cooperation, we expect it to
become even stronger. The economic management reforms of the last three years
and the prudent management of our fiscal affairs continue to deliver strong
growth, low inflation and stable exchange rates.
In spite of 2007 being an election year, we must maintain fiscal responsibility,
prudence, value-for-money in our expenditure at all levels and have courage to
do what needs to be done for the health and stability of our economy.
Before I conclude, let me thank you for your support and cooperation over the
course of the last seven years and let me appeal to you for expeditious passage
of the critical and essential bills to propel our reform agenda as I have
indicated to you in my recent letter.
Let me thank you also for joining hands with the Executive in waging war against
corruption. Our aim and objective is prevention, investigation, restitution and
prosecution in that order and not wholesale criminalisation or demonisation.
The 2007 Budget follows in the tradition of fiscal prudence and judicious
utilisation of resources, pursued in recent years. The spending proposals
therein are expected to help accelerate physical and human infrastructure for
wealth creation and poverty reduction.
I therefore lay before you the 2007 Budget of the Federal Government of Nigeria
for your consideration. It is my fervent hope that given the early presentation
of this budget, it will be passed and signed into law before the commencement of
the 2007 fiscal year, as a worthy legacy in the final year of our second term.
I thank you most sincerely for listening. God bless the Federal Republic of
Nigeria.