By: Zara Ngubdo
The Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, has signed the 2019 budget into law on Sunday, analysts have advised him to ensure proper implementation to stimulate economic activities.
However, the president has warned that the adjustments made to the budget by the National Assembly would make its implementation difficult, particularly in accordance with the provisions of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan.
While signing the 2019 Appropriation Bill into law, the president promised to push for a review of the document by the next National Assembly.
The president who signed the budget in his office in the State House Abuja, said the budget of N8.92 trillion passed by the National Assembly was N90 billion higher than the N8.83 trillion proposal he presented to the parliament on December 19, 2018.
According to him, National Assembly members reduced some of the proposals he made in the budget and simultaneously increased others, including introducing fresh allocations into the budget.
However, the president thanked the members of the National Assembly for their efforts in getting the document passed, recalling that the 2019 budget was christened budget of continuity, with a view to moving the country forward and fostering the policy of inclusiveness, diversified and sustainable growth.
Reacting to the president’s complaint on the handling of the budget by the National Assembly, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, said there was nowhere in the world where the executive and legislature agree on the budget.
Dogara responded as Senate President Bukola Saraki, who ought to have done so as the leader of the National Assembly, arrived late at the signing ceremony from another engagement.
Earlier, Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udo Udoma, had described the document as a collective endeavor between the executive and the National Assembly.