By Dipo Olowookere
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, President Muhammadu Buhari will receive the 2018 Appropriation Bill today, Friday, May 25, 2018.
This information was confirmed yesterday by the Senate President, Mr Bukola Saraki, after he broke Thursday’s fast with the President.
Mr Bukola had led members of the National Assembly to the President yesterday and after the meeting, he informed newsmen that Mr Buhari should receive the budget today.
Last week, the parliament passed the 2018 budget after it was submitted by President Buhari in November 2017 for consideration.
The Senate President explained yesterday that the delay in presenting the budget to Mr Buhari was because both chambers of the National Assembly were harmonising the documents.
President Buhari had proposed a budget of N8.612 trillion to the National Assembly but the lawmakers increased the proposed figure by N508 billion, to N9,120 trillion.
On Wednesday, while briefing newsmen after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, Minister of Budget and National Planning, Mr Udoma Udo Udoma, disclosed that the President had yet to receive the budget one week after it was passed by the parliament.
According to Mr Udoma, the delay in transmitting the budget to the President would have negative impact on the economy, adding that once the budget gets to the President for assent, it would be worked on quickly.
“The President is yet to receive the budget; it is therefore, impossible to make a statement about the budget that has not been received.
“Once we get it, we will work very quickly on it. When it is submitted, I am sure the National Assembly will inform Nigerians,” he said.
