Saraki absent as President Buhari signs Budget

BY KAZIE UKO

Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, did not witness the budget signing by President Muhammadu Buhari today at the Aso Rock Villa. He walked into the mini conference hall of the presidential villa after the President had signed the budget document, according to report coming out of Abuja.

President Buhari signed the 2019 Appropriation bill of N8.916 trillion into law, at about 11.00 am.

The president said the budget of N8.916 billion passed by the National Assembly was N90 billion higher than the N8.826 billion proposal he presented on December 19, 2018.

According to him, the National Assembly members reduced some of the proposals he presented and increased others, adding that they also introduced fresh allocations.

He frowned at the reduction of some of the budgetary allocations by the National Assembly, saying that it would make the budget difficult for the government to implement its projects targeted at diversifying the economy.

President Buhari said he will engage with the leadership of the Ninth Assembly whenever it emerges, on the concerns of the executive with the 2019 budget.

Present at the ceremony were the Senate President, Bukola Saraki who entered after the President had signed the budget, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation, Danjuma Goje, the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udoma Udo Udoma, the Senior Special Assistant on National Assembly matters, Ita Enang, among others. (Additional reports: THISDAY/VANGUARD)