We wona��t use 2018 capital budget for 2019 election – FG

By Chika Otuchikere
The Federal Government says it has no plan to divert the capital vote component of the 2018 budget into executing the 2019 general elections
Through the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, the Executive arm of government stated that the capital budget would be strictly used to fund infrastructural projects across the country, particularly the completion of ongoing ones
Adeosun spoke at the weekend at a lecture she delivered on behalf of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to the National Defence College (NDC) Course 26 participants.
She stated that the government would retain the capital budget despite the forthcoming elections in the country.
The minister was responding to an enquiry by a member of the NDC Course 26 on the use of the capital budget for the general elections. She maintained that the present administration would not engage in the diversion of the capital project funds for the forthcoming elections.
a�?The administration remains committed to infrastructure spending at the high levels of the past two years and the completion of major ongoing projects,a�? Adeosun said, adding that the commitment of the administration to its programme of transformation, and jobs and wealth creation across the country.
President Muhammadu Buhari had on November 7, 2017 presented a budget of N8.612 trillion to the National Assembly with focus on massive infrastructure development which includes key strategic roads, rail projects and power projects, among others.
The minister delivered the Vice Presidenta��s lecture participants titled: a�?Economic Dimensions of National Security: The Nigerian Experience.a�?
In the lecture, Osinbajo said that improvement in economic security was vital to Nigeriaa��s economic growth, human security improvement, and realisation of national defence and security requirements.
He said that the government would continue to play a key role in ensuring national cohesion by promoting social inclusion as a Key State objective.