The Nigerian presidency has said criticisms of its 2016 appropriation bill from the citizenry is most welcome.
The budget proposal has drawn the ire of a cross section of the citizenry for some of its “outrageous line items”.
Senior Special Assistant to the president on media and publicity, Garba Shehu admitted in a statement that the budget is far from a flawless document and inputs will be needed down the road before it becomes law.
“We are not by any stretch of the imagination suggesting that the draft budget is beyond comments or reproach. Nor do we wish to dwell on this simply to make a point”, the statement read.
He added that; “To do that will drive away good citizens from pointing out needed corrections and, ultimately defeating the change mantra of the administration.
“The budget is a Nigerian budget and citizens reserve the right to examine its content and provide their own perspectives.
“As the draft goes through the approval process, this and many other aspects will continue to generate interest, criticism, commendation and sometimes condemnation in discussions in the parliament, the media and the court of public opinion. We believe that the process of “change” will be affected by, and stands to gain from these debates especially where there is good faith on all sides.
“Government has no reason whatsoever to mislead the citizens on the budget and on all other matters for whatever reason,” he added.
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