ABUJA, Nigeria, Dec. 12 (UPI) -- A Nigerian legislative committee says austerity measures in the African country's proposed 2009 budget should apply to all government activity.
The House of Representatives Committee on Finance said if the measures are adequately applied to all areas of governance, particularly revenue generating agencies, it would ensure the implementation of next year's proposed budget, the Nigerian newspaper This Day said Friday.
To meet this end, agencies and corporations' financial dealings were already being investigated by the National Assembly Joint Committee on Finance, the report said.
Nigeria's 2009 budget marks an attempt by President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua to significantly reduce governmental spending in Nigeria, This Day said. Nigeria is a major oil producer.
Included among proposed budget cuts are reduced spending on official travel and duty tour allowances, along with purchases of new vehicles.
House Committee on Finance Chairman John Enoh said any government agencies appearing before the joint budget committee would have to explain how their budgets employed similar cost-cutting efforts.
