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Buhari signs Budget 2022 with NASS amendments ‘without apparent justification’

President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR (centre) Sigining the 2022 Budget into Law as Other Top Government Officials Watch in the Presidential Villa, Abuja, FCT

 Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari signs the 2022 Appropriation Act of N17.126trillion into law, but declares that alterations in the estimates by the Federal lawmakers could make implementation of the budget impossible

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has signed the 2022 Appropriation Act of N17.126trillion into law.

ConsumerConnect reports President Buhari signed the Federal Budget 2022, after Senator Babajide Omoworare, his Senior Special Assistant (SSA, Senate) on National Assembly (NASS), presented it to him Friday, December 31, 2021, in the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, in Abuja, FCT.

Alterations in critical projects with ‘worrisome changes’ ─President

The President on the occasion, however, noted his displeasure with some changes, major additions and reductions the NASS had effected in critical projects ‘without justification’.

Buhari also explained some of the ‘worrisome changes’ in next year’s Appropriation Act  to include an increase in projected Federal Government independent revenue by N400billion, reduction in the provision for Sinking Fund to Retire Maturing Bonds by N22 billion, and reduction of the provisions for the Non-Regular Allowances of the Nigerian Police Force and the Nigerian Navy by N15 billion and N5 billion respectively; all without any explanation.

The President as well expressed reservations over the inclusion of new provisions totalling N36.59 billion for the National Assembly’s projects in the Service Wide Vote, which he said negated the principles of separation of powers and financial autonomy of the Legislative arm of government.

He further raised issue with the apparent changes to the original Executive proposal in the form of new insertions, outright removals, reductions and/or increases in the amounts allocated to projects, besides reduction of the provisions made for about 10,733 projects and the introduction of 6,576 new projects into the 2022 Budget.

In the Buhari’s view, most of the projects inserted relate to matters that are basically the responsibilities of state and local governments, and do not appear to have been properly conceptualised, designed, and cost.

Presidency considers further amendment by lawmakers after recess

In regard to the purported alterations to the 2022 Budget in the NASS, Buhari said he would revert to the lawmakers with a request for an amendment as soon as they return from their recess.

Acording to the Nigerian President, this move is to ensure that critical ongoing projects key to his administration do not suffer a setback as a result of reduced funding in the submitted and signed 2022 Appropriation Bill.

At the presentation of 2022 Appropriation Bill, Buhari reportedly stated that the 2022 fiscal year would be very crucial in his administration’s efforts at completing and putting to use critical agenda projects, besides improving the general living conditions of Nigerian consumers.

The President insisted that the cuts by the lawmakers could render the implementation of the budget impossible.

Buhari, nonetheless, assured Nigerian consumers early preparation of the 2023 transition budget process by ensuring early submission of the 2023-2025 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper as well as the 2023 Appropriation Bill to the National Assembly.

In attendance at the event Friday, in the State House, Abuja, are President Senate Ahmed Lawan; Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Speaker of the House of Representatives; Mr. Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF); and Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, Honourable Minister for Finance, Budget and National Planning, among others.

Buhari’s reservation on budget not unsual: Senate President Lawan

Meanwhile, in his response the President’s observed displeasure over NASS amendments in the 2022 Budget, Senate President Ahmed Lawan told reporters in Abuja, that the lawmakers were right in their decisions when considering the details of the Appropriation Bill.

Lawan noted that such reservations by the Executive arm of government are not unusual, and may not necessarily coincide with that of the Legislature.

Recall the legislators in the National Assembly had raised the total 2022 Budget figure from the initial N16.391trillion to N17.126trillion.

The House of Representatives and the Senate passed a budget of N17.126trillion by increasing the benchmark price of crude from $57 to $62 per barrel.

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