In the 2014 budget proposal, Nigerian taxpayers are to cough out some N3.7 billion for President Goodluck Jonathan, Vice President Namadi Sambo and Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to eat, travel and entertain guests.

Presidency plans to spend N2.3 billion on local and international travels and transportation. Of this amount, the State House would require N1,219,612,417 for “local travels, while “international travels and transportation” will gulp N1,159,240,600 .

However, unlike the 2013 estimates when it proposed N1 billion for feeding, the amount for 2014 was scaled down to N200 million for the provision of foodstuffs/catering supplies in addition to another N162,556,500 for meals and refreshments.

For honorarium and sitting allowances, the Presidency has budgeted a princely sum of N320 million for that purpose just as it has set aside the sum of N33.8 million for the office of the Vice-President to take care of his foodstuffs and catering supplies as well as meals and refreshments in the year.

Under the arrangement, N23.8 million will go for foodstuffs and catering supplies while the balance of N10 million will be spent on meals and refreshments in the office of the second in command.

In the same vein, the Minister of Finance and Co-ordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, is expected to spend the sum of N568,859,940 on honorarium and another N51, 403,464 on meals and refreshments within the fiscal period.

And despite the monetisation policy whereby government pays its officials to secure and maintain their personal accommodation, the Federal Ministry of Finance is planning to spend additional N888.2 million on repair of residential buildings.

In the same vein, the Federal Government made the same yearly provision of N150 billion for the National Assembly but did not give any breakdown of the sum.