The 2018 National budget submitted to the National Assembly since November 2017 was signed into law June 20, 2018 six months into end of the year for which it was meant to serve.
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The National Assembly submitted it to President Buhari in May but President approved it on Wednesday after pointing out his reservations about the slashing of the budgetary provisions for the poor adding the differences to their National Assembly budget.
From the tone of the speech of President Buhari, it showed that he was not happy signing the budget into law but he was boxed into a corner by the National Assembly.
He picked some holes before approving it as summarized below by NewNow Nigeria;
* The National Assembly RAISED their allocation from N125b to 139.5b
*Slashed allocation to Maritime University, Delta State from N5b to N3.4b
* Slashed allocation to Enugu Airport Terminal Building from N2b to N500m
* Slashed Pensions by N5b. They want the pensioners to be in confrontation with the government as if they not care, why?
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* Slashed Housing by N8.7b
* Slashed Unity School security by N3b. Chibok and Dapchi Government attack do not touch those who slashed security vote for the security of our children.
* Slashed allocation to Health by N7.45b
* Slashed allocation to UN building security from N4b to N100m
* Slashed allocation to 2nd Niger Bridge, Manbila Power project, East-West Road, Lagos-Ibadan Express Road, Bonny-Boddo Road in Rivers State and Itakpe-Ajaokuta Rail project by a whopping N11.5b.
Since most of NASS members travel by air they seemed not to be concerned with the safety of those who travel by land. They should remember that they cannot distance themselves from their extended families and in-laws when the chips are down.
This is what the National Assembly was busy doing for the 7 months the budget was with them.
From the above analysis from President Buhari, Nigerians are expecting genuine response from the National Assembly on why the budget was unduly delayed and slashed while the masses are groaning under abject poverty.
www.sojworld.com © June 22, 2018
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