News Agencies and Their Mandates

The News Agency of Nigeria, like similar institutions worldwide, is responsible for collecting, processing, and distributing news to the public. Its main objective is to connect the government with its citizens, ensuring they are informed about national issues. However, there is no provision in its mandate for distributing tricycles, renovating educational institutions, or installing streetlights. So, why is NAN diverting vital resources to these unrelated projects?

In a properly functioning society, organizations operate within clearly defined parameters. Media outlets report news, construction firms build infrastructure, and transportation ministries manage vehicle distribution. By allocating a substantial portion of its budget to activities outside its jurisdiction, NAN not only undermines its own effectiveness but also encroaches on the responsibilities of other governmental entities.

This situation reflects a broader issue within Nigeria's public sector: the erosion of boundaries between various institutions. When government agencies exceed their designated roles and engage in unrelated activities, it indicates a troubling breakdown in governance.

The Keke Dilemma

Now, let’s focus on the core of this scandal—the allocation for tricycles, or keke. The budget indicates that NAN plans to spend an unspecified portion of the N300 million on acquiring and distributing these vehicles in Abia State.

Initially, this may seem like a benevolent effort to create job opportunities for the youth in Abia, as keke operators form a substantial part of the informal economy in numerous Nigerian cities. However, upon closer examination, the flaws in this strategy become evident.

Firstly, NAN is neither a microfinance institution nor a transportation agency; it lacks the necessary expertise to effectively manage such a venture. Who will oversee the distribution? How will recipients be chosen? Will there be adequate oversight to prevent these keke from being misappropriated or sold on the black market? The risk of corruption and mismanagement is significant, particularly given Nigeria's history with similar initiatives.

Moreover, using keke distribution as a solution to poverty is short-sighted. While these tricycles might provide temporary employment for a few, they fail to address the systemic issues affecting Nigeria's economy. Instead of wasting funds on superficial projects, why not invest in comprehensive economic reforms that would create enduring job opportunities for Nigerians?

Misguided Priorities: Educational Institutions and Infrastructure

Alongside its venture into tricycles, NAN's 2024 budget also includes funds for renovating schools in Bayelsa State and installing streetlights in Rivers State. Once again, while these efforts are undoubtedly important, they lie well outside the agency's mandate.

Bayelsa, like many other Nigerian states, suffers from chronic underfunding in education. Schools are often in disrepair, understaffed, and lacking resources. However, it is the Ministry of Education's responsibility to tackle these challenges, not a media agency's. By reallocating funds to school renovations, NAN not only exceeds its authority but also adds to the confusion that pervades Nigeria’s budgeting process.

The plan to install streetlights in Rivers State raises further questions. While improving security and stimulating economic activity is necessary, these tasks are typically the responsibility of local governments or the Ministry of Power, not a media organization. It is perplexing that, in a nation facing numerous urgent needs, a news agency would be assigned such a project.

A Reflection of Deeper Issues

The N300 million allocation to NAN is not an isolated case but rather indicative of a broader problem within Nigeria’s governance framework. Issues such as misallocation of funds, lack of accountability, and overlapping institutional roles are pervasive in the country. Agencies frequently step beyond their designated responsibilities, engaging in projects unrelated to their core missions.

This inefficiency results in wasted public resources, as funds that should be directed toward critical sectors are squandered on superficial initiatives. It also promotes corruption, as government officials leverage these misaligned projects to enrich themselves.

As Nigeria grapples with a fiscal crisis characterized by dwindling oil revenues, mounting debt, and rising inflation, every naira is crucial. It is therefore disheartening to witness public funds being misappropriated in this manner. The N300 million intended for NAN could have been better allocated to enhancing the agency's capacity to deliver accurate news, especially in an era rife with misinformation.

Demanding Accountability from Leaders

It is imperative for Nigerians to expect more from their leaders. Holding those in power accountable for the mismanagement of public resources is essential. The National Assembly, which approved this budget, must clarify why a news agency is engaging in projects that clearly fall outside its scope.

Furthermore, civil society and the media should persist in scrutinizing government budgets to ensure public funds are utilized as intended. Transparency and accountability are fundamental to sound governance; without them, Nigeria will continue to face challenges related to resource misallocation and public fund mismanagement.

Conclusion: A Call for Prioritization

The N300 million allocation for tricycles, school renovations, and streetlights exemplifies serious misaligned priorities and institutional dysfunction in Nigeria. Amid various challenges—from economic instability to infrastructure decline—it is unacceptable for public funds to be wasted on initiatives that do not align with the mandates of the responsible agencies.

Nigerians deserve more. It is time for the government to realign its priorities, ensure that public institutions adhere to their mandates, and invest in long-term solutions that benefit all Nigerians rather than a privileged few. The era of keke distributions and misguided projects must come to an end for Nigeria to reach its full potential.