NASS Jerks up 2019 Budget by N90billion


…Approves N8.916 trillion as against N8.826trillion  proposed 
…As Saraki, others get N23.678billion as severance package  



The National Assembly on Monday in passing the 2019 budget, increased its projected revenue size by N90billion with the passage of N8.916trillion as against N8.826trillion earlier proposed by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The N90billion increase in the budget profile as stated in separate reports presented to that effect  by Chairmen of Appropriation Committees at both chambers, include N23.678 billion added as severance gratuity for outgoing federal lawmakers and their legislative aides.

Specifically, the Chairman of the Appropriation Committee in the Senate , Senator Danjuma Goje (APC Gombe Central), explained that the N23.678billion severance  package for outgoing legislators also included induction programme / Inauguration of the Ninth Assembly.

Also, part of the N90billion added to the entire aggregate expenditure of the budget is the N10 billion intervention fund approved for tackling of current humanitarian crisis in Zamfara state while the balance of about N66billion are additional votes appropriated for the various security agencies for more potent wars against all forms of crimes in the land.

Goje explained further that in implementing the just approved N30,000 minimum wage for public servants , the N160billion proposed as service wide votes  was appropriated for,  under the Public Service wage adjustment for Ministries , Department and Agencies ( MDAs).

However, as recommended by the committees and approved by both chambers, all the parameters upon which the budget estimates are based were retained.

The parameters are $60 per barrel oil price bench mark, 2.3 million barrel per day production level , N350 to one U S dollar as exchange rate.

Major highlights of the N8.916trillion 2019 budget passed by the National Assembly are N502.058billion for Statutory Transfers, N500billion for Special Intervention and , N4.055trillion for recurrent expenditure.

Others are N2.094trillion for Capital expenditure , N1.908trillion as fiscal deficit within the ambit of 1.37% deficit to GDP ( Gross Domestic Product).

Within the service wide votes allocations in the approved budget, N5billion is earmaked for payment of  outstanding death benefit to civil servants and Police personnel, N15billion as additional support for Universities and N65billion for Presidential Amnesty Programme on reintegration of transformed ex- militants.

Within the Capital expenditure component of the budget, N394.906billion is earmarked four the Federal Ministry of Power, Worjs and Housing, N107.218billion for the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development , N159.125billion for Ministry of Defence and N92.178bn for Ministry of Water Resources.

Others are , N58.689bn for Ministry of Education, N179.384bn for Ministry of Transportation, N53.678bn for Ministry of Interior etc. 

However in the recurrent expenditure component of the budget, the Ministry of Interior has the highest appropriated votes of N564.222billion , followed by Ministry of Education with N463.395billion.

In his remarks after passing  the Appropriation Bill for third reading, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki said : ” With passage of this bill for third reading today, the executive must ensure full implementation of the budget , sector by sector for the benefit and well being of Nigerians.

Meanwhile the Senate has adjourned to Tuesday , May 6, 2019.


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