The duo of acclaimed musicians, Femi Anikulapo-Kuti and Banks W have expressed anger at the Federal Government’s decision to allocate N27.7bn to the renovation of the National Assembly complex in Abuja.
The amount was reduced from the N37bn originally demanded.
In the revised budget, however, budgets for health and other vital areas were more drastically slashed.
This has sparked concerns among many Nigerians who do not even believe that the renovation should be a priority.
Reacting in different posts on Wednesday, Femi linked the demand for the amount to the lawmakers’ demand for N25m furniture allowance each, in 1999.
On his part, Banks said the leaders were simply heartless.
Femi said, “Same they did in 1999 ( and forever ), they fought for furniture allowances 25m each instead of making healthcare , education, electricity, roads their priority ,what they were voted to do.
“They’re cutting healthcare that’s in a BAD state that covid19 exposed . When they are sick they will run to Europe, UK and the USA and leave the masses to die in the horrible state they leave our hospital.”
On his part, Banks W said, “At a time when most Nigerians are seriously struggling with being able to afford everything from FOOD to Healthcare, our National Assembly is going to spend N27 BILLION on “renovations
“EDUCATION BUDGET? CUT BY 55% BASIC HEALTHCARE PROVISION FUND?? CUT BY 42.5%! People are starving! And our National Assembly thinks it’s okay to spend N27 BILLION on Renovations of their complex!?! This is HEARTLESS! Our Reps & Senators should PLEASE come and explain this to us.”
The National Assembly complex renovation budget was reduced to N27.7bn (a reduction of 25.1 per cent) while the Basic Health Care Provision Fund which will take care of the welfare of all primary healthcare centres across the 774 local government areas in the country, was significantly reduced by N44.4bn to N25.5bn (a decrease of more than 42.5 per cent). The Universal Basic Education fund was also reduced from N111.7bn to N51.1bn (a reduction of more than 54.2 per cent).
