A review by SaharaReporters of the Cross River state budget performance document for the third quarter of 2024 reveals that the state spent N15.1 billion on purchasing SUVs. This expenditure accounts for 46.6% of the state’s internally generated revenue for the first nine months of 2024, during which the state generated N32.4 billion in revenue.
Details indicate that N5.9 billion was budgeted for 30 Hyundai and Toyota Prado SUVs for ‘political and general’ purposes, with N5.5 billion already spent by the third quarter of 2024. Additionally, the state had budgeted N4.6 billion for 50 Hyundai and Toyota Prado vehicles for MDAs, but exceeded this amount by N5 billion, spending a total of N9.6 billion within the same period.
Further analysis shows that by the end of the fourth quarter of 2023, the state had spent N2.8 billion on Hyundai and Toyota Prado SUVs. In Q4 2023 alone, N1.2 billion was spent, including N665 million on 30 SUVs (Prado and Hyundai) and another N546 million on 50 SUVs (Prado).
The office of the Chief of Staff had a budget of N3 billion for 30 Hyundai and Toyota Prado SUVs for ‘political and general’ purposes, of which N1.7 billion was spent by the year’s end. Another N2 billion was budgeted for 50 Toyota Prado and Hyundai vehicles for MDAs, with N1.1 billion spent, totalling N2.8 billion.
The review also highlights that despite a combined budget of N15 billion for vehicles, no funds were allocated for the construction or provision of water facilities, hospitals, health centres, or public schools.
The ministries of science and technology and water resources reported zero naira spent on capital projects. Only N2 billion was allocated to the education ministry for capital expenditure in the first nine months of 2024.
