The Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Mr. Clement Agba has indicated that a fresh wage increase for workers may not be feasible anytime soon.
He also said the government was borrowing because of the increasing need for modern infrastructure, such as hospitals, rail lines, roads and others.
The minister urged Nigerians to get more involved in budget processes, especially how to increase the nation’s revenue.
Agba stated this on Tuesday in Abuja at BudgIT’s 10th-anniversary lecture, titled: Building Civic Engagement and Institutional Accountability for An Equitable Society.
His words: “I think Nigerians need to participate more in the processes. It is not just to sit at home or in beer parlours and condemn. Again, where progress has been made, I think it is important that we don’t remain aloof to the fact that there is some form of progress.
“So, those who are asking for more pay can look at the data. Are we earning more revenue? If you used to have a cup full of water to share, now that the cup is half full, should you be given more? How do we expand our tax net? How should Nigerians respond to giving?”
