BudgIT, the civic-tech non-profit organisation, says the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) in Ibadan, Oyo, got N250 million for solar street lights in some areas of Lagos in the 2024 budget.

In a post on social media on Tuesday, BudgIT raised concerns over the institute’s plans to fund unrelated projects like solar street lights, a health centre and motorcycles in Lagos, Ondo, Rivers and Osun.

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“The same Institute is spending N100 million on motorcycles in Osun, N100 million on health centre construction in Ondo, and N200 million on classroom renovations in Rivers. These types of insertions should have no place in the #2025Budget,” BudgIT said.

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In a breakdown of the institute’s budget expenditure, BudgIT said the Cocoa research institute plans to embark on the following unrelated capital projects:

1. Training and empowerment of unemployed youths and women in Ipele, Ifon, Upenmen community in Ondo state — N148.7 million.

2. Construction of Ukparama comprehensive health centre Bolowou in Ilaje/Ese-Edo federal constituency, Ondo — N100 million.

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3. Provision of empowerment materials for women and youths in Ikwerre/Emohua federal constituency, Rivers state — N100 million.

4. Women and youth empowerment in Kano south senatorial district — N200 million.

5. Construction and renovation of selected classrooms in Khana/Gokana federal constituency, Rivers state — N200 million.

6. Provision of empowerment materials, motorcycles, fridges, barbering kits, hair dryers and generators to Obokun/Oriade federal constituency, Osun state – N100 million.

7. Supply and installation of solar street lights in Odi-olowo/Ojuwoye communities in Mushin 1 federal constituency — N100 million.

8. Solar power street light from Adekunle Banjo to Kasumu street Shangisha in Kosofe federal constituency, Lagos state — N50 million.

9. Completion of 100 seater bed primary health centre in Emmanuel primary school ground, Ojota in kosofe federal constituency — N50 million.

10. Provision and installation of solar street lights in Festac town of Amuwo-Odofin federal constituency — N100 million.

Other unrelated projects by the cocoa research institute can be found here.

On March 10, Abdul Ningi, senator representing Bauchi Central, alleged that the 2024 budget was padded with N3 trillion in the national assembly.

Ningi, the chairman of the Northern Senators Forum, said “huge damage” has been done to the north and the entire country in the budget.

However, two days later, Ningi was suspended for three months over the claim and was recalled on May 28.