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Tag: 2018 BUDGET

  • 2018 Budget: NASS will address media on concerns by Buhari- Senate

    The Senate has said that it had delegated its Chairman Committee on Appropriation, Sen. Danjuma Goje to hold a media briefing to clarify concerns raised by President Muhammadu Buhari on the 2018 Budget.

    The Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Sen. Aliyu Abdullahi made this known in a statement on Wednesday.

    President Buhari in his speech while signing the 2018 budget on Wednesday, had raised concern about some changes made to the budget by the National Assembly.

    Abdullahi said the senate was in agreement with the statement issued by the House of Representatives, in response to the issues raised by Buhari on the budget.

    He said, the leadership of both chambers have directed the chairmen of our committees on appropriations to provide item by item, detailed explanations on all points raised by the President for the benefit of members of the public.

    “They will therefore address a press conference on Friday, June 22nd, 2018.

    “It should however be noted that the action of the National Assembly while working on the budget was informed by the provision of the Constitution on the need for inclusion, balance and the fact that the first responsibility of government is the security and welfare of all citizens,” he said.

    Read Also: Buhari signs Budget 2018 despite N578b injection

    President Buhari had in his speech said, “the logic behind the Constitutional direction that budgets should be proposed by the Executive is that, it is the Executive that knows and defines its policies and projects.

    “Unfortunately, that has not been given much regard in what has been sent to me. The National Assembly made cuts amounting to 347 billion Naira in the allocations to 4,700 projects submitted to them for consideration and introduced 6,403 projects of their own amounting to 578 billion Naira.

    “Many of the projects cut are critical and may be difficult, if not impossible, to implement with the reduced allocation.

    “Some of the new projects inserted by the National Assembly have not been properly conceptualized, designed and costed and will therefore be difficult to execute.

    “Furthermore, many of these new projects introduced by the National Assembly have been added to the budgets of most MDAs with no consideration for institutional capacity to execute them or the incremental recurrent expenditure that may be required.

    “As it is, some of these projects relate to matters that are the responsibility of the States and Local Governments, and for which the Federal Government should therefore not be unduly burdened.

    ” Such examples of projects from which cuts were made are as follows:
    The provisions for some nationally/regionally strategic infrastructure projects such as Counter-part funding for the Mambilla Power Plant, Second Niger Bridge/ancillary roads, the East-West Road, Bonny-Bodo Road, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and Itakpe-Ajaokuta Rail Project were cut by an aggregate of 11.5 billion Naira.”

    “Similarly, provisions for some ongoing critical infrastructure projects in the FCT, Abuja especially major arterial roads and the mass transit rail project, were cut by a total of 7.5 billion Naira.

    “The provision for Rehabilitation and Additional Security Measures for the United Nations Building by the FCT, Abuja was cut by 3.9 billion Naira from 4 billion Naira to 100 million Naira.

    “The above will make it impossible for the Federal Government of Nigeria to fulfill its commitment to the United Nations on this project.

    “The provisions for various Strategic Interventions in the health sector such as the upgrade of some tertiary health institutions, transport and storage of vaccines through the cold chain supply system, provision of anti-retroviral drugs for persons on treatment, establishment of chemotherapy centres and procurement of dialysis consumables were cut by an aggregate amount of 7.45 billion Naira.

    “The provision for security infrastructure in the 104 Unity Schools across the country were cut by 3 billion Naira at a time when securing our students against acts of terrorism ought to be a major concern of government.

    “The provision for the Federal Government’s National Housing Programme was cut by 8.7 billion Naira.

    “At a time when we are working with Labour to address compensation-related issues, a total of 5 billion Naira was cut from the provisions for Pension Redemption Fund and Public Service Wage Adjustment.

    “The provisions for Export Expansion Grant (EEG) and Special Economic Zones/Industrial Parks, which are key industrialization initiatives of this Administration, were cut by a total of 14.5 billion Naira.

    “The provision for Construction of the Terminal Building at Enugu Airport was cut from 2 billion Naira to 500 million Naira which will further delay the completion of this critical project.”

    He also said, “the take-off Grant for the Maritime University in Delta State, a key strategic initiative of the Federal Government, was cut from 5 billion Naira to 3.4 billion Naira.

    “About seventy (70) new road projects have been inserted into the budget of the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing. In doing so, the National Assembly applied some of the additional funds expected from the upward review of the oil price benchmark to the Ministry’s vote.

    “Regrettably, however, in order to make provision for some of the new roads, the amounts allocated to some strategic major roads have been cut by the National Assembly.

    “Another area of concern is the increase by the National Assembly of the provisions for Statutory Transfers by an aggregate of 73.96 billion Naira.

    “Most of these increases are for recurrent expenditure at a time we are trying to keep down the cost of governance.

    “An example of this increase is the budget of the National Assembly itself which has increased by 14.5 billion Naira, from 125 billion Naira to 139.5 billion Naira without any discussion with the Executive.”

    NAN

  • Buhari lacks capacity to implement 2018 budget – PDP

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has viewed President Muhammadu Buhari’s submission that the 2018 budget would be “near un-implementable” as a clear admission that the President lacks the capacity and competence to run a development-oriented economy as desired by Nigerians.

    According to the party, Nigerians and the business community worldwide were stunned by the President’s assertion while signing the budget.

    A statement issued on Wednesday by the spokesman of the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, said President Buhari exhibited unpardonable ignorance of the dynamics of international best practices in macro-economic management, adding that it was an indication that the economy was in very bad hands.

    The statement said: “President Buhari, in picking holes on items that would directly impact on economic productivity, infrastructural advancement, rural development as well as those that would provide urgent palliatives to the plights of Nigerians, showed his aversion to developmental economy as well as insensitivity to the welfare of our citizens.

    “In fact, President Buhari, in his comments on the budget has further de-marketed our economy before international investors, thereby worsening our woes as a nation.

    “How on earth can a President, if indeed he loves the people, quarrel over budgetary items seeking to cushion the biting effects of the economic recession, particularly for the poor, who are the direct victims of the harsh policies of his incompetent administration?

    “Furthermore, President Buhari’s resort to blaming the National Assembly for his inability to exert himself as a leader and ensure smooth implementation of the budget, further shows that he cares little about the actual needs of the people, having holed himself in the comfort, security and pleasures of the Presidential Villa.”

    The PDP urged the National Assembly to ensure strict implementation of the 2018 budget.

  • Why we increased 2018 Budget by N508bn – Reps

    The House of Representatives has insisted it would not be subservient to the Executive on budget preparation and approvals.

    The House absolved itself of blame in the late passage of the 2018 Budget, blaming the Executive for the failure to commence budget cycle from January to December beginning from the 2018 fiscal year.

    In a reaction to President Muhammadu Buhari’s signing of the 2018 Appropriation Act into law, the House said while the Executive was empowered to propose the budget, it is within its power of appropriation to alter and make additions to the budget when necessary.

    The House, in a statement issued on Wednesday by its Spokesman, Abdulrazak Namdas, said it increased the 2018 budget by N508billion because some of the projects designed by the executive, as high-sounding as their names suggest, do not meet the needs of the common man.

    The lawmakers said the additional costs and projects to the budget were done in good faith for the sole purpose of improving the lives of Nigerians.

    The statement reads: “The House of Representatives is appreciative of President Muhammadu Buhari in signing the 2018 Appropriation Bill into law and wish  to make the following observations:

    “That the budget is usually a proposal by the Executive to the National Assembly, which the latter is given the constitutional power of appropriation to alter, make additions, costs or reduce as it may deem necessary. The legislature is not expected to be a rubber-stamp by simply approving the Executive proposals and returning the budget to Mr. President. Therefore, the additions Mr. President complained of in his speech are justifiable.

    “We are on the same page with Mr. President in his desire to return our budget cycle to January-December. By the provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007, the budget estimates should be with the National Assembly around September of the year. In the case of the 2018 budget, the estimates came behind schedule in November 2017, even though this attempt was seen as one of the earliest in recent years. Going forward, we urge the Executive to speed up the reporting time to the National Assembly by complying fully with the FRA.

    “Besides, there were delays that should be blamed on the heads of MDAs. Mr. President will recall that he had to direct ministers and heads of agencies to go to the National Assembly to defend their proposals. This came after the National Assembly had persistently raised the alarm over the non-cooperative attitudes of these government officials. On this grounds, the delay in passing the budget cannot be blamed on the legislature.

    “New projects in budget. On this aspect, we have to remind Mr. President that we are representatives of our people and wish to state that even the common man deserves a mention in the budget by including projects that will directly affect his life positively. Some of the projects designed by the executive, as high-sounding as their names suggest, do not meet the needs of the common man.”

     

     

  • Budget: Projects cut and inserted by National Assembly

    President Muhammadu Buhari has listed projects which cost were reduced and new ones inserted in the federal budget by the National Assembly.

    The details are as follows:

    “a. The provisions for some nationally/regionally strategic infrastructure projects such as Counter-part funding for the Mambilla Power Plant, Second Niger Bridge/ancillary roads, the East-West Road, Bonny-Bodo Road, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and Itakpe-Ajaokuta Rail Project were cut by an aggregate of 11.5 billion Naira.

    “b. Similarly, provisions for some ongoing critical infrastructure projects in the FCT, Abuja especially major arterial roads and the mass transit rail project, were cut by a total of 7.5 billion Naira.

    “c. The provision for Rehabilitation and Additional Security Measures for the United Nations Building by the FCT, Abuja was cut by 3.9 billion Naira from 4 billion Naira to 100 million Naira; this will make it impossible for the Federal Government of Nigeria to fulfill its commitment to the United Nations on this project.

    “d. The provisions for various Strategic Interventions in the health sector such as the upgrade of some tertiary health institutions, transport and storage of vaccines through the cold chain supply system, provision of anti-retroviral drugs for persons on treatment, establishment of chemotherapy centres and procurement of dialysis consumables were cut by an aggregate amount of 7.45 billion Naira.

    “e. The provision for security infrastructure in the 104 Unity Schools across the country were cut by 3 billion Naira at a time when securing our students against acts of terrorism ought to be a major concern of government.

    “f. The provision for the Federal Government’s National Housing Programme was cut by 8.7 billion Naira.

    “g. At a time when we are working with Labour to address compensation-related issues, a total of 5 billion Naira was cut from the provisions for Pension Redemption Fund and Public Service Wage Adjustment.

    “h. The provisions for Export Expansion Grant (EEG) and Special Economic Zones/Industrial Parks, which are key industrialization initiatives of this Administration, were cut by a total of 14.5 billion Naira.

    Read Also: Budget: My concern with changes by National Assembly– Buhari

    “i. The provision for Construction of the Terminal Building at Enugu Airport was cut from 2 billion Naira to 500 million Naira which will further delay the completion of this critical project.

    “j. The Take-off Grant for the Maritime University in Delta State, a key strategic initiative of the Federal Government, was cut from 5 billion Naira to 3.4 billion Naira.

    “k. About seventy (70) new road projects have been inserted into the budget of the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing. In doing so, the National Assembly applied some of the additional funds expected from the upward review of the oil price benchmark to the Ministry’s vote. Regrettably, however, in order to make provision for some of the new roads, the amounts allocated to some strategic major roads have been cut by the National Assembly.” he said

    He pointed out that another area of concern is the increase by the National Assembly of the provisions for Statutory Transfers by an aggregate of 73.96 billion Naira.

    “Most of these increases are for recurrent expenditure at a time we are trying to keep down the cost of governance.

    “An example of this increase is the budget of the National Assembly itself which has increased by 14.5 billion Naira, from 125 billion Naira to 139.5 billion Naira without any discussion with the Executive.

    “Notwithstanding the above stated observations, I have decided to sign the 2018 Budget in order not to further slowdown the pace of recovery of our economy, which has doubtlessly been affected by the delay in passing the budget.”

  • Budget: My concern with changes by National Assembly- Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed displeasure on some of the changes made in the federal budget which he signed on Wednesday by the National Assembly.

    Speaking before signing the N9.1trillion budget instead of the N8.6trillion he sent for approval, Buhari said “the logic behind the Constitutional direction that budgets should be proposed by the Executive is that, it is the Executive that knows and defines its policies and projects.”

    “Unfortunately, that has not been given much regard in what has been sent to me. The National Assembly made cuts amounting to 347 billion Naira in the allocations to 4,700 projects submitted to them for consideration and introduced 6,403 projects of their own amounting to 578 billion Naira,” Buhari stated.

    According to him, many of the projects cut are critical and may be difficult, if not impossible, to implement with the reduced allocation.

    He added that some of the new projects inserted by the National Assembly have not been properly conceptualized, designed and costed and will therefore be difficult to execute.

    “Furthermore, many of these new projects introduced by the National Assembly have been added to the budgets of most MDAs with no consideration for institutional capacity to execute them or the incremental recurrent expenditure that may be required.

    “As it is, some of these projects relate to matters that are the responsibility of the States and Local Governments, and for which the Federal Government should therefore not be unduly burdened.

    Read Also: Buhari reluctantly signs 2018 budget

    “Such examples of projects from which cuts were made are as follows:

    “a. The provisions for some nationally/regionally strategic infrastructure projects such as Counter-part funding for the Mambilla Power Plant, Second Niger Bridge/ancillary roads, the East-West Road, Bonny-Bodo Road, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and Itakpe-Ajaokuta Rail Project were cut by an aggregate of 11.5 billion Naira.

    “b. Similarly, provisions for some ongoing critical infrastructure projects in the FCT, Abuja especially major arterial roads and the mass transit rail project, were cut by a total of 7.5 billion Naira.

    “c. The provision for Rehabilitation and Additional Security Measures for the United Nations Building by the FCT, Abuja was cut by 3.9 billion Naira from 4 billion Naira to 100 million Naira; this will make it impossible for the Federal Government of Nigeria to fulfill its commitment to the United Nations on this project.

    “d. The provisions for various Strategic Interventions in the health sector such as the upgrade of some tertiary health institutions, transport and storage of vaccines through the cold chain supply system, provision of anti-retroviral drugs for persons on treatment, establishment of chemotherapy centres and procurement of dialysis consumables were cut by an aggregate amount of 7.45 billion Naira.

  • Breaking: Buhari reluctantly signs 2018 budget

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday signed the 2018 Appropriation Bill into law.

    The short ceremony took place in the President’s office.

    According to the President, he signed the Budget reluctantly because he had no choice.

    The Senate President, Bukola Saraki and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara were represented at the ceremony.

    The Presidency had on May 25th received the harmonized document from the National Assembly.

    The two chambers of the National Assembly had passed different figures which necessitated the harmonization process.

    From the harmonized figure the National Assembly raised the budget figure proposal submitted by President Buhari last November by N500 billion, from N8.6 to N9.1 trillion.

    The President said “I would like to thank the leadership of the National Assembly, particularly the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, as well as all the Distinguished Senators and Honourable Members, for passing the 2018 Appropriation Bill, after seven months.

    “When I submitted the 2018 Budget proposals to the National Assembly on 7thNovember 2017, I had hoped that the usual legislative review process would be quick, so as to move Nigeria towards a predictable January-December financial year. The importance of this predictability cannot be overemphasized.

    “While the Federal Government’s budget represents less than 10% of aggregate yearly expenditures in the economy, it has a very significant accelerator effect on the financial plans of other tiers of government, and even more importantly, the private sector, which mostly operates on a January-December financial year.

    “Notwithstanding the delay this year, I am determined to continue to work with the National Assembly towards improving the budgeting process and restoring our country to the January-December fiscal cycle.

    Read Also: Buhari’s speech at the signing of 2018 budget into law

    “I note, with pleasure, that the National Assembly is working on the enactment of an Organic Budget Law, so as to improve the efficiency of the nation’s budgetary process.

    “As I mentioned during the presentation of the 2018 Appropriation Bill, we intend to use the 2018 Budget to consolidate the achievements of previous budgets and deliver on Nigeria’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) 2017-2020.

    “It is in this regard that I am concerned about some of the changes that the National Assembly has made to the budget proposals that I presented. The logic behind the Constitutional direction that budgets should be proposed by the Executive is that, it is the Executive that knows and defines its policies and projects.

    “Unfortunately, that has not been given much regard in what has been sent to me. The National Assembly made cuts amounting to 347 billion Naira in the allocations to 4,700 projects submitted to them for consideration and introduced 6,403 projects of their own amounting to 578 billion Naira.

    “Many of the projects cut are critical and may be difficult, if not impossible, to implement with the reduced allocation. Some of the new projects inserted by the National Assembly have not been properly conceptualized, designed and costed and will therefore be difficult to execute.

    “Furthermore, many of these new projects introduced by the National Assembly have been added to the budgets of most MDAs with no consideration for institutional capacity to execute them or the incremental recurrent expenditure that may be required.

    “As it is, some of these projects relate to matters that are the responsibility of the States and Local Governments, and for which the Federal Government should therefore not be unduly burdened.

    “Such examples of projects from which cuts were made are as follows:

    “a. The provisions for some nationally/regionally strategic infrastructure projects such as Counter-part funding for the Mambilla Power Plant, Second Niger Bridge/ancillary roads, the East-West Road, Bonny-Bodo Road, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and Itakpe-Ajaokuta Rail Project were cut by an aggregate of 11.5 billion Naira.

    “b. Similarly, provisions for some ongoing critical infrastructure projects in the FCT, Abuja especially major arterial roads and the mass transit rail project, were cut by a total of 7.5 billion Naira.

    “c. The provision for Rehabilitation and Additional Security Measures for the United Nations Building by the FCT, Abuja was cut by 3.9 billion Naira from 4 billion Naira to 100 million Naira; this will make it impossible for the Federal Government of Nigeria to fulfill its commitment to the United Nations on this project.

    “d. The provisions for various Strategic Interventions in the health sector such as the upgrade of some tertiary health institutions, transport and storage of vaccines through the cold chain supply system, provision of anti-retroviral drugs for persons on treatment, establishment of chemotherapy centres and procurement of dialysis consumables were cut by an aggregate amount of 7.45 billion Naira.

    “e. The provision for security infrastructure in the 104 Unity Schools across the country were cut by 3 billion Naira at a time when securing our students against acts of terrorism ought to be a major concern of government.

    “f. The provision for the Federal Government’s National Housing Programme was cut by 8.7 billion Naira.

    “g. At a time when we are working with Labour to address compensation-related issues, a total of 5 billion Naira was cut from the provisions for Pension Redemption Fund and Public Service Wage Adjustment.

    “h. The provisions for Export Expansion Grant (EEG) and Special Economic Zones/Industrial Parks, which are key industrialization initiatives of this Administration, were cut by a total of 14.5 billion Naira.

    “i. The provision for Construction of the Terminal Building at Enugu Airport was cut from 2 billion Naira to 500 million Naira which will further delay the completion of this critical project.

    “j. The Take-off Grant for the Maritime University in Delta State, a key strategic initiative of the Federal Government, was cut from 5 billion Naira to 3.4 billion Naira.

    “k. About seventy (70) new road projects have been inserted into the budget of the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing. In doing so, the National Assembly applied some of the additional funds expected from the upward review of the oil price benchmark to the Ministry’s vote. Regrettably, however, in order to make provision for some of the new roads, the amounts allocated to some strategic major roads have been cut by the National Assembly.” he said

    He pointed out that another area of concern is the increase by the National Assembly of the provisions for Statutory Transfers by an aggregate of 73.96 billion Naira.

    “Most of these increases are for recurrent expenditure at a time we are trying to keep down the cost of governance.

    “An example of this increase is the budget of the National Assembly itself which has increased by 14.5 billion Naira, from 125 billion Naira to 139.5 billion Naira without any discussion with the Executive.

    “Notwithstanding the above stated observations, I have decided to sign the 2018 Budget in order not to further slowdown the pace of recovery of our economy, which has doubtlessly been affected by the delay in passing the budget.

    “However, it is my intention to seek to remedy some of the most critical of these issues through a supplementary and/or amendment budget which I hope the National Assembly will be able to expeditiously consider.

    “I am pleased with the success recorded in the implementation of the 2017 Budget. A total sum of 1.5 trillion Naira has been released for the implementation of capital projects during the 2017 fiscal year. In response to this and other policy measures implemented, we have observed significant improvement in the performance of the Nigerian economy.

    “To achieve the laudable objectives of the 2018 Budget, we will work very hard to generate the revenues required to finance our projects and programmes. The positive global oil market outlook, as well as continuing improvement in non-oil revenues, make us optimistic about our ability to finance the budget.

    “However, being a deficit budget, the Borrowing Plan will be forwarded to the National Assembly shortly. I crave the indulgence of the National Assembly for a speedy consideration and approval of the Plan.

    “The 2018 Budget I have just signed into law provides for aggregate expenditures of 9.12 trillion Naira, which is 22.6% higher than the 2017 Appropriation. Further details of the approved budget will be provided by the Minister of Budget and National Planning.

    “I thank the Ministers of Budget and National Planning, the Budget Office of the Federation, and everyone who worked tirelessly and sacrificed so much to bring us to this day. However, the job is only partly done.

    “I am sure you will remain committed to advancing our Change Agenda, not only in the preparation of the national budget but also in ensuring its effective implementation.” he stated

     

  • Presidency affirms signing of 2018 Budget Wednesday

    …dismisses report on FEC

     

    The Presidency has affirmed that Muhammadu Buhari will sign the 2018 Appropriation Bill into law on Wednesday at 12p.m.

    Mr Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, affirmed this in a in statement in Abuja on Tuesday.

    The presidential aide had on June 13 disclosed that the president would sign the 2018 budget this week.

    He had said: “The position on the 2018 budget is that it will be signed next week. You will be told the specific date.

    “But one thing we are sure of is that the budget will be signed next week.’’

    The senate increased the 2018 budget from N8.612 trillion earlier proposed to N9.12 trillion.

    Read Also: Budget mess

    The senate also increased the crude oil benchmark for the budget from 45 dollars per barrel to 50.5 dollars per barrel.

    Meanwhile, Adesina has dismissed the media report that the Wednesday’s meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) was cancelled due to the scheduled signing of the budget by the president.

    According to him, the FEC meeting will not hold due to the Eid-el-Fitr holidays last Friday and Monday which affected preparation of council’s memoranda.

  • A very taciturn 2018 budget

    THE 2018 N9.12trn budget is famous for its lateness, both in terms of the deliberations by the National Assembly and the reluctance by ministers to defend their estimates. It strangely and inexplicably took the intervention of the president, after complaints by the parliament, to get the relevant ministers to grudgingly defend their budgets. But the final budget is even more famous for what it didn’t say, for all the things it is silent over as far as sectoral allocations are concerned.

    Among the allocations, Power, Works and Housing got N714.6bn; Interior got N576bn; Defence received N575.6bn; and Education took N541.2bn. First, it is significant that the parliament had to raise the Works, Power and Housing allocation from the original allocation of N555.88bn, and Education from N496.9bn, when the government ought to naturally raise the allocations without any persuasion. Second, without saying it, Defence still takes the largest vote if the extra allocation of N78bn to such sub heads as Operation Lafiya Dole is added.

    Third, the Education allocation is embarrassingly low at N496.9bn, and it had to take the parliament to even add a little to it thus bringing the total for that sector to N541.2bn. Fourth, it is wrong to regard the Power, Works and Housing allocation as the highest. It is not, when it is considered along its traditional classification. Previously the ministry comprised two powerful, separate ministries of Works and Housing, and Power and Steel.

    This budget, despite claims about its magnitude and the hope reposed in it, lacks philosophical grounding. If it works, it will be accidental rather than planned, and thanks a little to the parliament rather than the executive.

  • Buhari to get 2018 budget bill today

    The National Assembly will today transmit the 2018 Budget Bill passed by the national assembly today for President Muhammadu Buhari’s assent.

    Senate President Bukola Saraki told reporters after breaking fast with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa yesterday.

    The two chambers of the National Assembly passed different figures last week after which thet went into harmonisation.

    Saraki said: “I think that should have been done, we had to harmonise, it is just a slight difference, it has been passed yesterday (Wednesday).

    “It was in the rules and proceedings of today(yesterday) so I am sure by tomorrow (today), we will transmit it to the Presidency.” he said

  • NASS will send 2018 Budget to Buhari Friday – Saraki

    The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, said on Thursday the National Assembly would send the harmonised 2018 Budget to President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday.

    Saraki spoke with State House correspondents after breaking fast with President Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The two chambers of the National Assembly passed different figures on the budget last week.

    Saraki said: “I think that should have been done, we had to harmonise. It is just a slight difference, it was passed yesterday (Wednesday).

    “It was in the rules and proceedings of today (Thursday), so I am sure by tomorrow (Friday), we will transmit it to the Presidency.”