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The Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPS)
introduced to electronically capture the data of workers in the Federal Civil
Service has so far saved government over N12billion.

The system, is presently operational in about 16 ministries,
departments and agencies (MDAs), but it is expected to be introduces across the
country in the first quarter of next year, the Director General, Budget office
of the Federation, Bright Okogu, told journalists in Abuja.

Speaking during a session on the Budget process, Mr Okogu said
the electronic data capturing system is part of the present administration’s
strategy to stop wastage, particularly through leakages in the system as a
result of significant losses in salaries and pension payments to ghost workers
and retired employees in the Federal Civil service.

“The implementation of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll
Information System (IPPIS) in 16 ministries so far has helped reduce the number
of ghost workers on government payroll by over 7,000. That is why government is
poised at extending the system to other ministries, departments and agencies in
the first quarter of next year.

“Apart from helping government to update its data and records
for proper planning, the e-payment policy has been widely acknowledged as a
positive step to stem corruption, reduce administrative hostage taking
associated with payment to individuals and contractors as well as facilitate a
more transparent payment system that allows for effective monitoring,” Mr Opogu
said.

He described the proposed Sovereign Wealth Fund as a critical
part of the process by government to ensure fiscal consolidation and stronger
fiscal discipline, by ensuring that earnings from the natural resources are
saved for the development of basic infrastructure that would guarantee the
welfare of the people.

According to him, the Fund has the goal of helping build a
savings base for future generation of Nigerians by utilising part of the
revenue earnings from the oil and gas resources as well as to enhance the
development of critical infrastructure, like roads, railway system and airport.

Besides, he said the Fund will be used to provide stable
last-resort source of financing for commodity price-induced budget deficits
based on clear prudential guidelines.

2011 budget and reforms

Meanwhile, the government has allocated the sum of N37billion
for the Multi Year Tariff Order being managed by the Nigeria Electricity
Regulatory Commission as part of effort by government to subsidise the high
cost electricity supply for poor consumers.

The allocation, which is part of the overall allocation in the
2011 budget to facilitate the sustenance of the ongoing reforms in the energy
sector, also saw the Ministry of Power being allocated about N3.776billion for
recurrent expenditure and N86.250billion for capital projects, while the
Ministry of Petroleum Resources got N38.489billion for recurrent expenditure
and N10.27billion for capital expenditure.

The Ministry of Mines & Steel Development got
N11.513billion, and the Niger Delta Ministry was allocated N3.23 billion for
recurrent expenditure in addition to N53.40billion for capital projects.

The Presidential Amnesty Programme got the largest chunk of the
Niger Delta Ministry budget, with stipends and feeding allowance for
ex-militants getting about N17billion, while the reintegration of the
ex-militants got an allocation of N35.7billion. Operations cost of amnesty
programme got N1.95billion.

In addition, about N17.5billiuon has been set aside for the payment of the
2010 arrears for the re-integrated transformed ex-militants, apart from
N6.5billion for the settlement of the 2010 arrears for the
re-insertion/transition safety allowance for 20,192 transformed ex-militants.