Senators, Reps have made 2019 budget difficult to implement – Buhari laments

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday expressed worries that the changes made to the 2019 budget by the National Assembly would make it difficult to implement,

The President signed the N8.92tn budget on Monday but he raised an alarm that the legislature, under the leadership of Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara has increased his original proposal by N90.33bn from the N8.83tn estimates he laid before it in December 2018.

Speaking at the budget signing ceremony, which was witnessed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara, Buhari said his next line of action was to engage the National Assembly on how best to ensure a smooth implementation of the budget.

The President said, “You will all recall that in December 2018, I presented our 2019 budget proposal with the theme ‘Budget of continuity.’ Our goal was to use this budget to move the economy further on the path of inclusive, diversified and sustainable growth.

“Back then, I proposed a total expenditure of N8.83tn to the National Assembly for appropriation, targeting strategic and impactful projects and initiatives. However, the 2019 budget I will be signing into law today (Monday) provides for the aggregate expenditure of N8.92tn. This is an increase of N90.33bn over our submission.

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“This increase reflects changes introduced by the National Assembly. In some areas, expenses we proposed were reduced while in other areas, they were increased. There were also certain areas where new additions were introduced into the budget. More details of the approved budget will be provided by the Minister of Budget and National Planning.”

According to Buhari, some of the changes would adversely impact his government’s programmes, making it difficult to achieve the objectives of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan.

He said, “Although I will be signing this bill, it is my intention to continue to engage the National Assembly to ensure we deliver on our promises. I will, therefore, be engaging with the leadership of the ninth National Assembly, as soon as they emerge, to address some of our concerns with this budget.

“We will also look at how to improve the budget process, so that, amongst other things, we can speed up budget consideration processes and return the country to the January-December fiscal year timetable.”