Nigeria’s 2021 budget estimate of ₦13.8 trillion presented by President Muhammadu Buhari before a joint session of the National Assembly has passed second reading at the House of Representatives.
The bill, which was passed after a two day debate by members on the floor of the house was deliberated upon on the floor of the house following a motion moved by the leader of the house, Alhaji Ado Doguwa, which was adopted by members.
The debate, led by Doguwa attempted to establish that the 2021 budget tried to cushion the harsh economic blow the COVID 19 pandemic has on the nation.
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He reiterated that the budget proposal takes special emphasis on the upgrade of critical sectors of the economy.
Contributing to the debate, Chief Whip of House, Alh Tahir Monguno, advised the Federal Government to focus more on the agric sector and also increase budgetary allocation to the Northeastern part of the country due to the deplorable state of infrastructure in the region.
Also making a submission, a member from Enugu state, Mr Obinna Chidoka, observed that the Ministry of Environment needs more than what was allocated to it due to the menace of erosion and flooding affecting many parts of the country.
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Member of House from Kano state, Alh Muhammad Wudil, submitted that priority should be given to job creation considering the high rate unemployed youths in the country.
Further contributions from some other members stressed the need for a reduction in the cost of governance, adding that infrastructure decay has to be addressed urgently as an approach to diversify the economy to become technologically driven.
