The Socio-economic Rights And Accountability Project (SERAP) has condemned the Presidency for allocating N26 billion in the 2022 budget for meals, travel, refreshment and the presidential wing of the State House clinic which is more than the budgets for projects in 14 teaching hospitals put together.

From the proposed budget, about N19. 17 billion only was budgeted for ongoing and new projects at 14 university teaching hospitals in the country with the University of Jos Teaching Hospital getting as low as N908 million allocation.

In a suit filed before the Federal High Court, Abuja, SERAP argued that the huge spending by the presidency is neither necessary nor in the public interest, particularly with regards to the scant allocations to education and health.

A statement released by the group noted, “…According to reports, the proposed N26bn on travels, meals, refreshments and the presidential wing of the State House Clinic is more than the proposed allocations for ongoing and new projects in 14 teaching hospitals combined.

“N19.17 billion is allocated to the following teaching hospitals: UNILAG Teaching Hospital—N1.69bn; ABU Teaching Hospital—N2.38bn; University College Hospital, Ibadan—N1.49bn; and UNN Teaching Hospital—N1.38bn.

“UNIBEN Teaching Hospital—N1.35bn; OAU Teaching Hospital—N1.35bn; UNILORIN Teaching Hospital—N982m; UNIJOS Teaching Hospital—N908m; University of Port Harcourt—N1.14bn; UNIMAID Teaching Hospital—N986m; Dan Fodio University Teaching Hospital—N987m; Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital—N2.49bn; UNIABUJA Teaching Hospital—N1.90bn; and ATBU Teaching Hospital—N947m.”