2025 Budget: Uwaleke urges FG to redirect alleged N113 billion vehicle funds to Infrastructure  

Uwaleke made this recommendation during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.

According to him, 288 government agencies included the purchase of vehicles in their 2025 capital budgets.

He explained that importing these vehicles would further strain the country’s exchange rate.

“For instance, the money can be used to commence a Federal Government project, in conjunction with state governments.   

“Such a project could be known as the ‘One District; One Product (ODOP)’ initiative, implemented in each of the 109 Senatorial Districts, with each district receiving a minimum of N1 billion.   

“It could also be used to revive the ‘One Local Government; One Product (OLOP)’ initiative, which failed to make a significant impact due to poor attention,” Uwaleke said.   

“One can equally think of other productive uses for capital expenditure, such as vehicle purchases, which are not necessarily developmental in nature.   

“Given their high opportunity costs to the economy, one way to minimize such expenses is to ensure that only locally made products are considered,” Uwaleke added. 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu presented the 2025 Budget of Restoration to the National Assembly on December 18, 2024.

He stated that his administration remains focused on stimulating the economy through public investments.

“While challenges persist, we improved revenue collection and fulfilled key obligations. The transformational effects of this on our economy are gradually being felt,” Tinubu noted.   

The President also emphasized that increased government spending on infrastructure, security, and human capital development is essential to fostering growth and recovery.