The Senate on Monday passed the 2021 Appropriation Bill of N13.5 trillion.
This followed the adoption of the report of Senate Committee on Appropriations at plenary.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that President Muhammadu Buhari had on Oct. 8, presented the 2021 budget of N13.08 trillion to the joint session of the National Assembly for approval.
Similarly, the House of Representatives also passed the 2021 budget of N13.5 trillion for the Year 2021 has been passed by Nigeria’s National Assembly on Monday ahead of the Christmas and New Year break.
The passing of the budget, which followed consideration of a report by the committee on appropriation is N500bn higher than the N13.08 Trillion earlier presented before the joint session of the National Assembly by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Details of the budget include about N6 Trillion allocated for recurrent expenditure, N4.2 trillion for Capital expenditure and N3.32 Trillion for Debt servicing.
Presenting the report on the floor of the house, Chairman of the Committee on appropriation, Alhaji Aliyu Betera, while presenting the committee’s report on the floor of the House confirmed that sectors with highest allocation in the 2021 Appropriation Bill includes Defence with about N840bn (eight hundred and forty Billion naira); education with over N545bn (five hundred and forty five Billion naira), Police Affairs about N438bn (four hundred and thirty eight Billion naira) while health sector received over N380 (three hundred and eighty Billion naira.)
The nation’s 2021 budget estimate is based on a $40 per barrel assumption, with crude oil production at 1.86million barrel per day.
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Tuesday unveiled a 2021 budget proposal of N1.155 trillion before Lagos State House of Assembly.
Titled: “Budget of Rekindling Hope,” the Sanwo-Olu administration said it would be investing heavily in the development of human capital, with special focus on youth employment and provision of social safety for young people.
The focus, the governor added, would be raising human capital, creating jobs and strengthening security for businesses to flourish.
Sanwo-Olu explained that the 2021 estimated expenditure is designed for the restoration of economic balance as Lagos State continues to navigate its way out of the negative impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the destruction of public assets, following the hijacked #EndSARS protests.
Governor of Lagos State, Nigeria, Babajide Sanwo-Olu presents a N1.155 trillion budget for year 2021 to the Lagos State House of Assembly, Tuesday, November 10, 2020.
The budget, the governor said, would be funded from a projected Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of N962 billion, pointing out that the N192.495 billion deficit would be financed through bond issuance, internal and external loans.
About N704 billion, representing 61 per cent of the total budget, is earmarked for capital expenditure in the proposed 2021spending: an estimate of N451.75 billion, representing 39 per cent, would go for recurrent expenditure, which includes personnel cost and other staff-related expenses.
Sanwo-Olu said the budget was designed to improve the state’s economic conditions and create the social safety needed for the youth and all hardworking residents to flourish. He said his administration would leverage its developmental efforts and focus on sectors with job-creating potential, such as agriculture, construction, technology and security.
According to him, “The year 2021 is one of Rekindled Hope, in accordance with recent events of global and national proportions, especially the coronavirus pandemic, the #EndSARS protests, the general feeling of disenchantment in the polity and the socio-economic yearnings of Lagosians for good governance.
“This budget reflects our desire to rebuild the trust of the people in this government, even as we commit significant human and financial resources to the rebuilding of Lagos, while doing all we can to move on from the destruction and vandalism recently witnessed in the state, barely three weeks ago.
“The COVID-19 pandemic and #EndSARS protests have only heightened the need to urgently implement various programmes under the T.H.E.M.E.S. agenda.
“The 2021 budget will, among other things, provide for youth employment, security, and youth engagement and social works. We are set to improve the economic conditions and social safety needed for our youth to flourish.
“We are committing resources to sectors that need to grow for our people to become self-reliant and economically empowered. In agricultural sector, our food security plan has a cumulative budget of N22.21 billion while we are committing a cumulative budget of N311.43 billion to provide infrastructure.”
Sanwo-Olu revealed his administration’s strategy to keep the cost of governance low in the face of dwindling revenues and general inflation occasioned by multiple factors, announcing the repeal of Lagos State’s Payment of Pension Law of 2007, which provides payment of pension and entitlements to former governors and their deputies.
The governor said he would be sending an Executive Bill to Lagos State House of Assembly for the repeal of the Pension Law, noting that public service would now be predicated on selflessness in the state.
“In light of keeping the costs of governance low, we will be sending a draft executive bill to the House of Assembly imminently for the repeal of the Payment of Pension Law 2007 (Public Office Holder), which provides for payment of pension and other entitlements to former governors and their deputies.
“It is our firm belief that with dwindling revenues and inflationary growth rates, that we need to come up with innovative ways of keeping the costs of governance at a minimum, while engendering a spirit of selflessness in public service,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu also added that the proposed budget would support entrepreneurship and expand the opportunity of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to facilitate socio-economic advancement.
He pledged his administration’s commitment to continuously supporting entrepreneurs in the state through Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), saying this would also strengthen technical and financial support for beneficiaries to generate employment that would stimulate economic prosperity.
The governor said there would be increment in its financial commitment to youth mentoring, mental health support, and substance abuse rehabilitation. This project, he said, would be driven through the Office of the Civic Engagement, and Ministry of Youth and Social Development.
He said: “As we work on reviving the growth of our economy, we must commit resources to our state-wide security architecture, especially in the areas of intelligence gathering and the motivation of all security personnel in the Neighbourhood Watch.
“We will be increasing the size of the Neighbourhood Watch personnel across the state and ensure their training, including community engagement, de-escalation techniques, and proactive information gathering within communities.
“We believe that as the population of Lagos State increases and becomes more sophisticated, so should the training of our security personnel to cope with emerging challenges.”
Despite the slowdown of activities occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic, Sanwo-Olu said this year’s budget had performed at 77 per cent, a performance benchmark of 86 per cent was projected by the end of last quarter.
The governor also hinted that his administration has trained 9,000 teachers in modern teaching techniques to boost learning outcomes and provided complementary textbooks and other ancillary teaching aids for over 350,000 students.
Sanwo-Olu said his administration has also spent N25 billion for the construction, refurbishment and equipping of our healthcare centres across the state, in line with its health programmes. He added that the state government built and rehabilitated 589 classrooms, while also providing 1,568-bed hostels in secondary and primary schools.
“We have audacious governance goals, which we cannot achieve without the concerted efforts of all our people. We should not allow the events of the past few months to obliterate our consistent cycles of socio-economic progress.
“Let us begin to rebuild our state with determination and optimism, even as we advance the interests of the electorate and restore their confidence in this government,” the governor said.
In his remarks, Speaker if Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, praised the governor’s courage in the face of the recent challenges that faced the state, pledging the readiness of the legislature to work with the executive arm to rebuild the state.
He promised speedy passage of the budget, assuring the public that the Assembly would properly vet the details in line with its mandate.
He said: “We have all listened with attention how the wealth of the state will be utilised for our common good in Year 2021.
“The responsibility is now on the members of the Assembly to meticulously perform their constitutional duty. I reiterate our commitment as responsive Assembly in working together with the Executive to bring succour to all individuals affected in the aftermath of the #EndSARS protests.”
The House of Representatives on Tuesday says it has committed to a programme of reforms and collaborating with the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in a bid to bring about comprehensive transformation of the nation’s police structure as Nigerian youths have continued with the now globally recognised #EndSARS protest.
This was disclosed by the Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila while he delivered an address during Tuesday’s plenary at the House, in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
Giving assurances of his commitment to ensuring that police reform, as demanded by Nigerian youths under the #EndSARS movement, the Speaker stated that efforts are ongoing to developing a draft legislation that will be ready for consideration within thirty days.
The Speaker stated that for the records, he should be held to account on the expectation of his promise to reform the Nigerian Police Force through legislation.
” I will not sign off on a 2021 Budget that does not include adequate provisions to compensate those who have suffered violence and brutality at the hands of the police in Nigeria in the last two decades.
” I will not sign off on a budget that does not meet the reasonable demands of the ASUU, to which Government has already acceded. There is no better time to rethink the system of funding for higher education in Nigeria. The current system does a great disservice to our children and our country, and we must commit to changing it so that we can free our institutions of higher learning to be citadels where innovation thrives, and excellence is a given.
“With my colleagues in the House of Representatives, I will visit over the next week, some of the families of those who have lost loved ones to police brutality and when we come back, we will work together to honour the memory of those we have lost.
“The House of Representatives will pass an Electoral Reform Bill in time for the next general elections so that we may continue to improve the process of electing our political representatives at all levels.
“I will support the amendment of the constitution to ensure that the provisions on fundamental human rights have teeth, resource control is dealt with equitably and that the next generation of Nigerians does not inherit evident dysfunctions of our current system”, Gbajabiamila said.
Read Full Address:
1. Good morning Honourable colleagues, thank you for being here this morning.
2. About two weeks ago, I spoke to this honourable House about the need for urgent, substantive, and wholesale reforms of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and an overhaul of our nation’s internal security and policing framework.
3.This honourable House debated the failures of policing that have caused our nation’s youth to take to the streets in their numbers, demanding that Government live up to our primary obligation to ensure the security and welfare of our people.
4.The nationwide protests that gave impetus to our deliberations that day have not abated. They have gotten more serious, with many reported instances of violence between state actors and protesters, between protesters and armed thugs who seek to hijack the passion and idealism of these protests for other nefarious purposes.
5.The Federal Government of Nigeria has acted to dissolve the Special Anti- Robbery Squad (SARS), whose gross abuses of power are the proximate cause of this present unrest. The Government has moved to set up, through the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), a national judicial panel of inquiry, in addition to similar panels set up by the federating state governments.
6.The House of Representatives has committed to a programme of reforms. We resolved to collaborate with the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in this effort and to ensure that draft legislation is ready for consideration within thirty days.
7. None of these actions have sufficed to convince the ever-growing numbers of protesters to withdraw from continued agitation. From Lagos to Awkuzu, from Port-Harcourt to Kano, Abuja and Enugu, the protests have continued relentlessly, with good cause. Whatever else may be driving this moment, our people expect more than commitments. They expect action, and we must deliver.
8.This House will live up to the commitments we have already made, whilst we continue to seek avenues to do better and achieve more. Even as we act to establish systems for police accountability to ensure that the abuses of the past never happen again, we must seek the full measure of justice for what came before.
9.We owe this to Tiyamu Kazeem and Tina Ezekwe, Tony Zitta and Anita Akapson, to Chijioke Iloanya and Jimoh Isiaq, Kolade Johnson, Modebayo Awosika and far too many others.
10. We owe it to the families they left behind, to those who even now do not know if their missing son, their long lost sister, their father, is buried somewhere in a shallow, unmarked grave, put there by those whose duty it was to protect them.
11. We owe this much to the young people who have such high hopes and lofty aspirations for this nation that they are willing to risk their lives, brave the sun and rain, through night and day, to demand that all of us, one nation under God, live up to the better angels of our nature, and be better than what we are now.
12. On Wednesday last week, the leadership of the House met with the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA). This meeting was in furtherance of the House’ resolution to partner with the Association to develop legislation that implements a new framework for holding police officers accountable when they fail in the performance of their duties under the law.
13. Following from that meeting, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olumide Akpata constituted a Committee, led by the eminent Professor Deji Adekunle, SAN to work with the House of Representatives to develop a Bill for the House within the timeline we have pledged. The Committee has resumed its assignment.
I thank Olumide Akpata and the leadership of the NBA for their support. I also thank Professor Adekunle, SAN and members of the Committee, all of whom volunteered for this assignment, for recognising the urgency of the moment and acting with dedication and in good conscience, in service of our beloved nation.
14.Two weeks from now, the House will receive and immediately begin to consider legislation that seeks to establish a system of independent, responsive accountability that:
a. Holds erring members of the Police Force to account for their conduct in the performance of their duties;
b. Imposes civil and criminal liability for violations of the law and the Police regulations;
c. Ensures that officers found who engage in unauthorised, unlawful use of force are expelled from office and subject to the full penalty of the law; and
d. Prohibits with severe penalties the practice of using illegal incarceration as a cudgel to extort law-abiding citizens of their hard-earned resources.
15. We will establish a system of citizen-led accountability for the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) because in the democracy we have set out to build, the police are not above the citizenry, they are servants of the people. The police are not above the law; they are its guardians.
16. As we endeavour to hold our nation’s police to higher standards of personal and professional conduct, we must also make sure that we provide for the welfare of the men and women to whom we assign such significant responsibilities in our collective interest. From minimum police recruitment requirements, through to training, everything must change, if we are to have a police force that meets our nation’s needs and upholds the law of the land with integrity and professionalism.
17. Honourable colleagues, independence for any nation is not a function of a singular declaration; it doesn’t happen one time. Freedom is earned through generations, over and over again, by the sacrifice of patriots who band together to achieve for themselves and leave to their descendants, the inheritance of a more perfect union.
18. Sixty years ago, our country gained its independence from the British who until then had charted our course and devised our fate. Twenty years ago, when we set off the shackles of the military dictatorship, to commit once more to this grand experiment in civil governance, we gained independence again.
19.Today, we are witnessing across Nigeria, a call for a fundamental rethinking of our nationhood. As we sit here in this hallowed chamber, a new independence movement is roiling our nation. A generation of young people, who came of age in the years of our democracy have looked upon what we have built and decided that we can do better.
20. We will do well to heed this call and what it portends for Nigeria. Let us take the opportunity of this moment to do the hard things, make the right choices and pursue those objectives that drive progress and put us in good stead for generations to come.
As Speaker of this House of Representatives, let me say now for the records to reflect, and in the expectation that I would be held to account:
• I will not sign off on a 2021 Budget that does not include adequate provisions to compensate those who have suffered violence and brutality at the hands of the police in Nigeria in the last two decades.
• I will not sign off on a budget that does not meet the reasonable demands of the ASUU, to which Government has already acceded. There is no better time to rethink the system of funding for higher education in Nigeria. The current system does a great disservice to our children and our country, and we must commit to changing it so that we can free our institutions of higher learning to be citadels where innovation thrives, and excellence is a given.
• With my colleagues in the House of Representatives, I will visit over the next week, some of the families of those who have lost loved ones to police brutality and when we come back, we will work together to honour the memory of those we have lost.
• The House of Representatives will pass an Electoral Reform Bill in time for the next general elections so that we may continue to improve the process of electing our political representatives at all levels.
• I will support the amendment of the constitution to ensure that the provisions on fundamental human rights have teeth, resource control is dealt with equitably and that the next generation of Nigerians does not inherit evident dysfunctions of our current system.
21.This is my commitment, and I ask the support of the House of Representatives for this and more. Let us through the grace of God and with humility work together to bring peace, security, justice and prosperity for all our nation’s people.
22.To the young people across Nigeria who have led these protests, whose call for change has brought about this historical moment, you are the midwives of national rebirth. You have moved a nation to action, and now you must join in doing the hard work of making real the vision of a more just, more prosperous, and more resilient nation.
23. We see your true cause. Please do not allow your righteous cause to be hijacked by those with base motives, who see in this moment an opportunity to pursue vendettas, to spread division, exploit the many existing fissures that exist in our society and bring our nation to its knees.
24.You have raised your voices and marched to demand a better Nigeria. From Abuja to Washington, to Calgary and London, your voices have been heard. Do not allow anybody to convince you that to withdraw from the streets now is to concede defeat.
25.This is the time to move your agitation from the chaos of the streets to the painstaking deliberations and strategic partnerships that birth policy and produce legislation. It is time to mobilise your voices in support of specific policy interventions that will deliver on our shared objectives of national renewal and a country that reflects the best of us. I thank you, your country thanks you, and history will be kind to you.
26. God bless you all, and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
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.
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.
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.
Former Vice President and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in 2019 general elections, Atiku Abubakar, has berated President Muhammadu Buhari over his 2021 budget proposal recently presented to the National Assembly.
Atiku, in a statement on Saturday titled: “The 2021 Budget Proposal Contravenes The Fiscal Responsibility Act,” charged the President to be courageous enough to recall and recalibrate the 2021 budget proposal to reflect the provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) of 2007 and the current economic realities in Nigeria.
According to him, “The budget deficit in the proposal is ₦5.21 trillion. This amount is just over 3.5 per cent of Nigeria’s 2019 GDP.
“This is contrary to the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2007, which provides in Part II, Section 12, subsection 1 that: ‘Aggregate Expenditure and the Aggregate amount appropriated by the National Assembly for each financial year shall not be more than the estimated aggregate revenue plus a deficit, not exceeding three per cent of the estimated Gross Domestic Product or any sustainable percentage as may be determined by the national Assembly for each financial year.’”
He explained that the deficit of 2021 budget shows the precarious state of Nigeria’s finances, which have since been overburdened by excessive borrowing on the part of the Buhari administration.
Atiku, who stated that he could itemise several reasons why Buhari’s 2021 budget is not feasible and realisable, insisted that the President should be patriotic enough to recall the budget otherwise it would be catastrophic for Nigeria’s economy.
The statement reads in part: “Looking at the 2021 Budget Proposal placed before the National Assembly by President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday, October 8, 2020, a number of issues, very grave and perhaps disturbing issues arise.
“I could bring up several of them, but for the sake of its direness and consequence to our economy, permit me to address one very important issue.
“The budget deficit in the proposal is ₦5.21 trillion. This amount is just over 3.5 per cent of Nigeria’s 2019 GDP. This is contrary to the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2007, which provides in Part II, Section 12, subsection 1 that: ‘Aggregate Expenditure and the Aggregate amount appropriated by the National Assembly for each financial year shall not be more than the estimated aggregate revenue plus a deficit, not exceeding three per cent of the estimated Gross Domestic Product or any sustainable percentage as may be determined by the national Assembly for each financial year.’
“Nigeria had a GDP of approximately $447 billion in 2019. Three percent (three per cent) of this amount is $13.3 billion, which at the current official exchange rate of ₦379 to $1, gives you a figure of ₦5.07 trillion.
“So clearly, the budget deficit of ₦5.21 trillion, as announced by President Muhammadu, is above three per cent of our GDP and is therefore in contravention of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2007.
“Even more disturbing is the fact that our GDP has fallen sharply from its 2019 figures, and has been projected by the World Bank and other multilateral institutions at somewhere between $400 billion and $350 billion. Meaning that in actual sense, the ₦5.21 trillion budget deficit is actually far above the three per cent threshold stipulated by the FRA.
“That this escaped the notice of the Buhari administration shows a glaring lack of rigour in the formulation of the Budget. A very disturbing development.
“Furthermore, this deficit shows the precarious state of our national finances, which have since been overburdened by excessive borrowing on the part of the Buhari administration.
“It has not escaped my attention that the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2007 makes provision for the National Assembly to raise the threshold of the budget deficit from three per cent to a higher figure. However, if this is done, they will be serving this administration’s interests, not Nigeria’s, because the Act says that such a threshold must be sustainable. Is it sustainable when our budget makes almost as much provision for debt servicing, as it does for capital expenditure?
“As such, I call on the President, to recall this budget, and recalibrate it to reflect the provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2007, and the current economic realities of the nation. To do otherwise will not only be unpatriotic, it will also be catastrophic for our nation’s economy.”
2021 BUDGET SPEECH: Budget of Economic Recovery and Resilience Delivered By: His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari President, Federal Republic of Nigeria At the Joint Session of the National Assembly, Abuja
Thursday, 8th October 2020
PROTOCOLS
1. It is with pleasure that I present the 2021 Federal Budget Proposals to this Joint Session of the National Assembly.
2. Distinguished and Honourable Leaders, and Members of the National Assembly, at this juncture, I wish to commend your tremendous efforts in approving the revision of the 2020 – 2022 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper, and passage of the 2020 Appropriation (Repeal and Amendment) Act, in response to the Coronavirus Pandemic.
3. Today marks an important occasion in our quest to accord the federal budget process the seriousness it deserves. In line with our commitment, we have worked extra hard to ensure early submission of the 2021 –2023 Medium-term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper, as well as the 2021 Appropriation Bill. It is my sincere hope that the National Assembly will pass this Bill into law early enough to enable implementation by 1st January 2021, given the collaborative manner in which the budget was prepared.
4. In the course of this address, I will present the highlights of our budget proposals for the next fiscal year. The Honourable Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning will, later, provide the full details of these proposals.
Recent Developments
1. The 2021 Budget was prepared amidst a challenging global and domestic environment due to the persistent headwinds from the Coronavirus Pandemic. The resulting global economic recession, low oil prices and heightened global economic uncertainty have had important implications for our economy.
2. The Nigerian economy is currently facing serious challenges, with the macroeconomic environment being significantly disrupted by the Coronavirus Pandemic. Real Gross Domestic Product (‘GDP’) growth declined by 6.1 percent in the second quarter of 2020. This ended the 3-year trend of positive, but modest, real GDP growth recorded since the second quarter of 2017. I am glad to note that, through our collective efforts, our economy performed relatively better than that of many other developed and emerging economies.
3. GDP growth is projected to be negative in the third quarter of this year. As such, our economy may lapse into the second recession in four years, with significant adverse consequences. However, we are working assiduously to ensure a rapid recovery in 2021. We remain committed to implementing programmes to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty over the next 10 years.
4. As skills’ deficits limit employment opportunities in the formal economy, various skills’ development programmes are being implemented simultaneously to address this problem frontally. For instance, the Government is implementing the Special Public Works programme to provide employment opportunities to 774,000 youths across the 774 local government areas of Nigeria. We have also recently introduced the N75 billion Nigeria Youth Investment Fund, of which N25 billion have been provided in 2021 Budget.
5. We thank all Nigerians, for your perseverance and continued support during these difficult times. We remain unwavering in our commitment to actualize our vision of a bright future for everyone.
President Muhammadu Buhari presents a ₦13.08 trillion budget before a joint session of the National Assembly on Thursday, Oct 8, 2020, in Abuja.
Performance of the 2020 Budget
6. Distinguished and Honourable Members of the National Assembly, you will recall that the 2020 ‘Budget of Sustaining Growth and Job Creation’ was amended in response to recent fiscal pressures. I am glad to report that these efforts enabled us to effectively respond to the public health challenge of Coronavirus outbreak and moderate economic impact.
7. Pursuant to our revised assumptions, the amended 2020 Budget was based on a benchmark oil price of 28 US Dollars per barrel; oil production of 1.80 million barrels per day; and exchange rate of N360 to the US Dollar.
8. Based on these budget parameters, aggregate revenue of N5.84 trillion was projected to fund N10.81 trillion in expenditure. The projected deficit of N4.98 trillion, or 3.57 percent of GDP, is expected to be financed mainly by borrowing.
9. In 2020, average daily oil production was 1.88 mbpd up to June, as against the revised estimate of 1.80 mbpd for the entire year. However, the market price of Bonny Light crude averaged 40.79 US Dollars per barrel, significantly higher than the revised benchmark price of 28 US Dollars.
10. As at July 2020, the Federal Government’s actual revenue available for the budget was N2.10 trillion. This revenue performance was only 68 percent of our pro-rated target in the revised 2020 budget. At N992.45 billion, oil revenue performed well above our budget target, by 168 percent. Non-oil tax revenues totalled N692.83 billion, which was 73 percent of the revised target.
11. To improve independent revenue performance, I have directed that the cost profiles of Government Owned Enterprises (‘GOEs’) should be scrutinized and limits imposed on their cost-to-revenue ratios. Supervising Ministers have also been directed to ensure closer monitoring of the revenue generating activities and expenditures of the Government Owned Enterprises.
12. On the expenditure side, as at end of July 2020, a total of N5.37 trillion had been spent as against the pro-rated expenditure of N5.82 trillion. Accordingly, the deficit was N3.27 trillion. This represents 66 percent of the revised budgeted deficit for the full year.
13. Despite these challenges, we met our debt service obligations. We are also up to date on the payment of statutory transfers and staff salaries, while overhead costs have been significantly covered.
14. For the first time in recent years, we commenced the implementation of this year’s capital budget in the first quarter. As at 15th September 2020 a total of about N1.2 trillion had been released for capital projects. Every Federal MDA has received at least 50 percent of its 2020 capital expenditure budget, in line with my earlier directives.
15. Let me emphasise that revenue generation remains our major challenge. Nevertheless, Government is determined to tackle the persisting problems with domestic resource mobilization, as there is a limit to deficit financing through borrowing. The time has come for us to maintain a healthy balance between meeting our growing expenditure commitments and our long-term public financial health.
Key Achievements in the 2020 Fiscal Year
34. Over the last year, this Administration has implemented several priority projects. I am happy to report that much progress has been made on several fronts and our Government has delivered on key policies, programmes and projects in these priority areas.
16. In agriculture, we have recorded appreciable success in rice and other crops mainly through the Anchor Borrowers Programme and the Presidential Fertilizer Initiative, anchored by the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, respectively. We are also accelerating the construction of 337 rural roads around key agricultural corridors to enhance access to market and reduce post-harvest losses. These efforts have reduced the adverse impact of Coronavirus on our food availability, prices and security.
17. We have made progress on the railway projects connecting different parts of the country. The Lagos-Ibadan Line will soon be operational. The Abuja-Kaduna Line is running efficiently. The Itakpe-Ajaokuta Line was finally completed after over 30 years since it was initiated and commissioned in September 2020.
18. Arrangements are underway to complete the Ibadan-Kano Line. Also, work will soon commence on the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri Line and Calabar-Lagos Coastal Line, which will connect the Southern and Eastern States to the North, and the South-South as well as South-East to the North, and South-West, respectively.
19. The Second Niger Bridge is at about 46 percent completion. We hope to commission the project before the end of our tenure in 2023. We have awarded several contracts to rehabilitate, reconstruct and construct major arterial roads, in order to reduce the hardship to commuters and increase economic activity.
20. To bridge the infrastructure deficit, we are also implementing innovative financing strategies to pull-in private sector investment. The Infrastructure Company, which I recently approved, will become a world-class infrastructure development vehicle, wholly focused on making critical infrastructural investments in Nigeria. This Infrastructure Company will raise funding from the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, the Africa Finance Corporation, pension funds as well as local and foreign private sector development financiers.
21. Under the Road Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme, we are undertaking the construction and rehabilitation of over 780km of roads and bridges, nationwide, to be financed by the grant of tax credits to investing business. Ongoing projects under this scheme include:
a. Construction and Rehabilitation of Lokoja-Obajana-Kabba-Ilorin Road Section II (Obajana-Kabba) in Kogi and Kwara States;
b. Construction of Apapa-Oworonshoki-Ojota Expressway in Lagos State; and
c. Construction of Bodo-Bonny road with a Bridge across the Opobo Channel in Rivers State.
22. To enhance good governance, we strengthened our anti-corruption agencies to ensure they work independently and jointly, while respecting the rule of law. We have also worked to address emergent cases of insecurity and insurgency, nationwide, with innovative approaches. Our security operations in the Niger Delta, North Central and North West are yielding desired results. We are determined to get rid of bandits, kidnappers and criminal behaviour from our midst.
Theme & Priorities of the 2021 Budget
23. Distinguished Senators; Honourable Members; let me now turn to the 2021 Appropriation Bill, which is designed to further deliver on the goals of our Economic Sustainability Plan. This Plan provides a clear road map for our post- Coronavirus economic recovery as a transitional plan to take us from the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (2017 – 2020) to the successor Medium-Term National Development Plan (2021 – 2025).
24. In view of the many challenges confronting us, we must accelerate our economic recovery process, promote social inclusion and strengthen the resilience of the economy. The 2021 Appropriation has, therefore, been themed the ‘Budget of Economic Recovery and Resilience’. It is expected to accelerate the pace of our economic recovery, promote economic diversification, enhance competitiveness and ensure social inclusion.
Parameters & Fiscal Assumptions Underpinning the 2021 Appropriation
25. Distinguished Members of the National Assembly, the 2021 – 2023 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper set out the parameters for the 2021 Budget, which include:
a. Benchmark oil price of 40 US Dollars per barrel;
b. Daily oil production estimate of 1.86 million barrels (inclusive of Condensates of 300,000 to 400,000 barrels per day);
c. Exchange rate of N379 per US Dollar; and
d. GDP growth projected at 3.0 percent and inflation closing at 11.95 percent.
Finance Bill 2020
26. Distinguished and Honourable Members; I have directed the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning to finalise the Finance Bill 2020, which will be forwarded for your kind consideration and passage into law, shortly after today’s 2021 Budget presentation. The Finance Bill is to support the realization of our 2021 revenue projections, adopt appropriate counter-cyclical fiscal policies and enhance the efficiency of fiscal incentives.
Tax Expenditure Statement
27. In compliance with the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2007, we will prepare and publish, a Tax Expenditures Statement for 2019. The 2019 Statement will be the first of these annual Statements, setting out the estimated cost of tax exemptions, incentives and rebates provided under Nigeria’s revenue and other laws. The 2019 Statement is expected to contribute to public discussion on the use of our tax policies and system to achieve socio-economic development.
Federal Government Revenue Estimates
28. Based on the foregoing fiscal assumptions and parameters, total federally distributable revenue is estimated at N8.433 trillion in 2021. Total revenue available to fund the 2021 Federal Budget is estimated at N7.886 trillion. This includes Grants and Aid of N354.85 billion as well as the revenues of 60 Government-Owned Enterprises.
29. Oil revenue is projected at N2.01 trillion. Non-oil revenue is estimated at N1.49 trillion. As you will observe, the format of the 2021 Appropriation Bill has been modified to include budgeted revenues, no matter how small, for each MDA, to focus on internal revenue generation. Accordingly, I implore you to pay as much attention to the revenue side as you do to the expenditure side.
Planned 2021 Expenditure
30. An aggregate expenditure of N13.08 trillion is proposed for the Federal Government in 2021. This includes N1.35 trillion spending by Government-Owned Enterprises and Grants and Aid funded expenditures of N354.85 billion. For 2021, the proposed N13.08 trillion expenditure comprises:
a. Non-debt Recurrent Costs of N5.65 trillion;
b. Personnel Costs of N3.76 trillion;
c. Pensions, Gratuities and Retirees’ Benefits of N501.19 billion;
d. Overheads of N625.50 billion;
e. Debt Service of N3.124 trillion;
f. Statutory Transfers of N484.49 billion; and
g. Sinking Fund of N220 billion (to retire certain maturing bonds).
Fiscal Balance
1. The 2021 Budget deficit (inclusive of Government Owned Enterprises and project-tied loans), is projected at N5.20 trillion. This represents 3.64 percent of estimated GDP, slightly above the 3 percent threshold set by the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007. It is, however, to be noted that we still face the existential challenge of Coronavirus Pandemic and its aftermath; I believe that this provides a justification to exceed the threshold as provided for by this law.
31. The deficit will be financed mainly by new borrowings totalling N4.28 trillion, N205.15 billion from Privatization Proceeds and N709.69 billion in drawdowns on multilateral and bilateral loans secured for specific projects and programmes.
Statutory Transfers
32. The sum of N484.49 billion provided for Statutory Transfers in the 2021 Budget represents an increase of N56.46 billion (or 13 percent) over the revised 2020 provision. The Statutory Transfer provisions are:
a. Niger Delta Development Commission – N63.51 billion;
b. North East Development Commission – N29.70 billion;
c. National Judicial Council – N110.00 billion;
d. Universal Basic Education Commission – N70.05 billion;
e. Independent National Electoral Commission – N40.00 billion;
f. National Assembly – N128.00 billion;
g. Public Complaints Commission – N5.20 billion;
h. Human Rights Commission – N3.00 billion; and
i. Basic Health Care Provision Fund – N35.03 billion.
33. In compliance with the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007, all beneficiaries of Statutory Transfers will be required to provide the Budget Office of the Federation with periodic reports on the allocation and expenditure of funds for inclusion in the quarterly Budget Implementation Report.
Recurrent Expenditure
34. In our efforts to enhance national security and human capital development, a major part of the 2021 recurrent cost estimate is allocated to paying salaries and overheads in MDAs providing these critical public services. These include:
a. N227.02 billion for the Ministry of Interior;
b. N441.39 billion for the Ministry of Police Affairs;
c. N545.10 billion for Ministry of Education;
d. N840.56 billion for Ministry of Defence; and
e. N380.21 billion for Ministry of Health.
Personnel Costs
35. Personnel cost is still our largest single item of expenditure. In the 7 months to 31st July 2020, it accounted for 34 percent of total Federal Government spending and is projected at 33 percent of 2021 expenditure.
36. To check the incidence of payments to non-existent personnel and unauthorised allowances, only Federal staff that have been captured on the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (‘IPPIS’) platform will receive salaries.
37. All agencies have been directed to ensure that they obtain all necessary approvals before embarking on any fresh recruitment. Any breach of these directives will be severely sanctioned.
Debt Service
38. We remain committed to meeting our debt service obligations. Hence, we have provisioned N3.12 trillion for this in 2021, representing an increase of N445.57 billion from N2.68 trillion in 2020. A total of N2.183 trillion has been set aside to service domestic debts while N940.89 billion has been provided for foreign debt service. N220 billion is provided for transfers to the Sinking Fund to pay off maturing bonds issued to local contractors and creditors.
Overhead Costs
39. Total overhead costs of MDAs and Government Owned Enterprises are projected to rise to N625.50 billion in 2021, mainly due to the inclusion of the overheads of an additional 50 Government Owned Enterprises. Overhead provisions have also been made for newly created agencies. To keep a tab on running costs, MDAs must adhere to extant expenditure controls.
Capital Expenditure
40. An aggregate sum of N3.85 trillion is expected to be available for capital projects in 2021, as summarised below:
a. N1.80 trillion for MDAs’ capital expenditure;
b. N745 billion for Capital Supplementation;
c. N355 billion for Grants and Aid-funded projects;
d. N20 billion for the Family Homes Fund;
e. N25 billion for the Nigeria Youth Investment fund;
f. N336 billion for 60 Government Owned Enterprises;
g. N247 billion for capital component of Statutory Transfers; and
h. N710 billion for projects funded by Multi-lateral and Bi-lateral loans.
41. The 2021 capital budget is N1.15 trillion higher than the 2020 provision of N2.69 trillion. At 29 percent of aggregate expenditure, the provision moves closer to this Administration’s policy target of 30 percent.
42. Capital expenditure in 2021 remains focused on the completion of as many ongoing projects as possible, rather than the commencement of new ones. We have also made efforts to ensure equity in the distribution of projects and programmes in the proposed budget. I will be providing the National Assembly a list of some of the most critical projects which we must work collectively to ensure they receive adequate funding. Until projects reach completion, they do not deliver the dividends of democracy that Nigerians rightly deserve.
Highlights of the 2021 Capital Projects
43. Key capital spending allocations in the 2021 Budget include:
a. Power: N198 billion (inclusive of N150 billion for the Power Sector Recovery Plan);
b. Works and Housing: N404 billion;
c. Transportation: N256 billion;
d. Defence: N121 billion;
e. Agriculture and Rural Development: N110 billion;
f. Water Resources: N153 billion;
g. Industry, Trade and Investment: N51 billion;
h. Education: N127 billion;
i. Universal Basic Education Commission: N70 billion;
j. Health: N132 billion;
k. Zonal Intervention Projects: N100 billion; and
l. Niger Delta Development Commission: N64 billion.
44. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will facilitate the integrated development of its sector by promoting crops’ value chains; as well as providing rural roads, water and sanitation, veterinary and pest controls, grazing, food and strategic reserves, and access to inputs and extension services.
45. The 157 percent increase in the capital allocation to the health sector is to enhance the capacity to deliver healthcare services through the procurement of equipment, vaccines and other facilities. Two centres of excellence, as well as one Accident and Emergency Centre, will be equipped in Federal Teaching Hospitals in each geopolitical zone.
46. In addition, numerous Primary Health Care Centres will be equipped and upgraded across the six geopolitical zones. Furthermore, funds have been allocated for the expansion of Midwives Service Scheme in the six geopolitical zones. To enhance occupational safety, funds have been provided for the provision of Personal Protective Equipment for health workers.
47. The Ministry of Education’s capital allocation has been increased by 65 percent to improve the education of our children. Funds have been provided for the provision of scholarship awards to Nigerian students at home and abroad.
48. We have provided funds for the upgrade of security and other infrastructural facilities in our Unity Colleges nationwide. To improve access to education, we have made provision for the establishment of five new Federal Science and Technical Colleges. We have also provided for the payment of allowances to 5,000 teachers under the Federal Teachers Scheme.
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49. In line with our commitment to invest in Transportation Infrastructure, capital allocation to the Works and Housing sector is to facilitate the completion of several critical projects in 2021. I have directed the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning to provide a detailed breakdown of key infrastructural projects in her subsequent Press Briefing.
50. Key projects for implementation in the Power sector include several Rural Electrification Projects in the 36 States and Abuja, Rural Electrification Access Programme in Federal Universities, the Kaduna LPFO Gas Fired power Plant, the Mambilla Hydro Power Project and the Zungeru Hydropower Project.
51. Provisions have been made for legacy debts owed to local contractors compensation and resettlement of project-affected communities, the Renewable Energy Micro Utility (Solar) project, and the construction of transmission lines and substations nationwide. These project’s implementation is expected to have positive impact on electricity supply nationwide, as well as boost productivity and employment.
52. Projects to be implemented by the Ministry of Water Resources in 2021 include provision of potable water in the North East, construction of irrigation and dams across the country, and the provision of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene facilities.
53. The Ministry of Transportation has earmarked funds for projects such as the Lagos-Ibadan-Kano Line, Abuja-Kaduna Line, Port-Harcourt-Maiduguri Line and Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Warri Line. These projects, when completed, will minimize the cost of transporting people and goods around the country.
54. To maintain the peace in the Niger Delta region for economic and social activities to thrive, the provision of N65 billion for the Presidential Amnesty Programme has been retained in the 2021 Budget. In addition, the sum of N63.51 billion has been appropriated for the Niger Delta Development Commission and N24.27 billion has been provided for the capital projects of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs. These allocations should further support the development of the region by facilitating the completion of important ongoing projects, such as the East-West Road.
Government Fiscal Strategy in 2021
55. The government is already implementing several measures to overcome our fiscal constraints. In addition to the Strategic Revenue Growth Initiatives, we are leveraging technology and automation, as well as more effective monitoring of Independently Generated Revenues. Our efforts are aimed at addressing revenue leakages and redirecting scarce resources to the poor and vulnerable. These efforts include:
a. Deregulation of the price of petroleum products;
b. Ongoing verification exercise with IPPIS; and
c. Implementation of service-based electricity tariffs.
56. The new petrol pricing regime has freed up resources that was allocated to subsidise petroleum products. Similarly, the ongoing IPPIS verification exercise has closed gaps that encourage ghost workers or pensioners. The service reflective electricity tariffs will help resolve liquidity crisis in the power sector and make the sector attractive to foreign investment. These reforms have released trillions of Naira for allocation to other priority areas.
57. Distinguished Senators, Honourable Members, permit me to reiterate that the main thrust of our capital spending programme in 2021 is the completion of as many ongoing projects as possible across the country. Accordingly, we have prioritized projects that can be rapidly completed to benefit our people.
58. Distinguished Senators and Honourable Members, I note, with satisfaction, your determination to promptly consider and pass the Petroleum Industry Bill into law. The enactment of this Bill will boost confidence and attract further investments into our oil and gas sector, as well as increase revenues.
59. I fully understand the difficulties many of our people are going through with the implementation of our reform agenda. However, the measures we are implementing are necessary for sustainable public finance, better allocation of our scarce resources and improved public service delivery. As we implement these reforms, social safety nets will be implemented to cushion the effect of the most vulnerable of our citizens as well as business owners.
60. In furtherance of our inclusiveness agenda, the sum of N420 billion has been provided to sustain the Social Investment Programme. N20 billion has also been set aside for the Family Homes Fund, our Social Housing Programme. We have expanded our National Social Register, to include an additional one million Nigerians following the onset of Coronavirus. We recently introduced the N75 billion Survival Fund Programme to support and protect businesses from potential vulnerabilities. Furthermore, the Central Bank of Nigeria is reducing the interest rate on its intervention facilities from 9% to 5% with a 1-year moratorium till 31st March 2021, to provide concessional lending of:
. N100 billion to households and small businesses;
a. N100 billion to the healthcare and pharmaceutical industry; and
b. N1 trillion to large agricultural and manufacturing businesses.
61. We urge Nigerian businesses and individuals to make the most of these concessional credit facilities and other such opportunities.
Conclusion
62. Mr. Senate President, Mr. Speaker, Distinguished and Honourable Members of the 9th National Assembly; let me use this opportunity to, again, commend your firm commitment towards ensuring a very harmonious and productive relationship with the Executive. It is important to further deepen this relationship in the interest of our people.
63. As you review the 2021 Budget estimates, we believe the legislative process will be expedited to ensure its prompt passage to sustain the restoration of a predictable January – December fiscal year. In this regard, I have directed all Ministers and Heads of Agencies to be personally available for budget defence.
64. Let me re-emphasize that Nigerians expect that the 2021 Budget will contain only implementable and critical projects, which when completed, will significantly address current structural challenges of the economy, improve the business environment and accelerate economic recovery.
65. May I conclude my remarks by commending the National Assembly for its support in steering our economy during these very challenging times. We remain committed to sustaining this partnership. We believe that as we work together, we will jointly deliver on our joint mandate to our people.
Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday presented before a joint session of the National Assembly a ₦13.08 trillion 2021 budget estimates for approval.
The President in his presentation of the budget estimates, which he tagged: “Budget of economic recovery and resilience,” explained that the main thrust of the document was to complete as many ongoing projects as possible.
President Muhammadu Buhari presents a ₦13.08 trillion budget before a joint session of the National Assembly on Thursday, Oct 8, 2020, in Abuja.
Buhari emphasised that priority is giving to projects that directly affect the lives of Nigerians.
Further in his presentation, the President stated that the 2021 budget would drive the MDAs to generate revenue, no matter how little.
He appealed to the legislature to pay attention to the revenue as much as they did to the expenditure, saying the 2021 budget was the roadmap for post-coronavirus economy and was aimed at accelerating the economic recovery process.
On crude oil projection, Buhari put the figure at $40bpd. He also projected the exchange rate at N379 to $1, GDP at three percent and inflation rate at 11.95 per cent.
He disclosed that for consideration and passage, he had directed the Minister of Finance to finalise the Finance Bill and transmit accordingly.
Allocation of funds as contained in the budget Include a ₦128 billion to the National Assembly, and a ₦380.21 billion to the health ministry.
The President noted that the 2021 budget has the following as critical areas: Multiple Rural Electrification Projects, Mambilla Hydro Power Project, Zungeru Hydro Power Project, among others.
For the Social Investment Programmes, ₦420 billion has been earmarked, while the Social Housing Programmes been allocated ₦20 billion.
President Muhammadu Buhari will on Thursday present the 2021 budget estimate at a Joint session of both chambers of the National Assembly.
This was made known by Senate President Ahmad Lawn who during plenary on Tuesday acknowledged and read a letter from President Buhari.
President Buhari, notifying the Senate said: “May I crave the kind indulgence of the Distinguished Senate to grant me the slot of 11:00hrs on Thursday, 8th October, 2020, to formally present the 2021 Appropriation bill to the Joint Session of the National Assembly.
“While I look forward to addressing the Joint session, please, accept Mr. Senate President, the assurances of my highest regard”, Buhari said.
Federal government agencies in the Presidency have held consultations for the 2021 budget.
According to a statement by the State House Deputy Director of Information, Attah Esa, the permanent Secretary, State House, Mr Tijjani Umar, led the 2021 budget bilateral meeting between Government Agencies under the Presidency and officials of the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning which held virtually on Saturday, September 12, 2020, at the conference room of the State House administrative block.
The State House Permanent Secretary said: “the preparation of the 2021 budget estimates takes into consideration the policies and strategies contained in the 2021-2023 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper (MTEF/FSP), which is the Federal Government pre-budget statement.”
Umar also explained that in line with the directive issued by the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, the annual budget is being prepared using the Zero-Based Budget (ZBB) approach and in compliance with the government’s policy thrust as articulated in the MTEF/FSP and Nigeria Economic Sustainability Plan (NESP).
Citing a September 1, 2020 circular issued by the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Dr Zainab Ahmed, the Permanent Secretary, State House, said MDAs have been directed to work assiduously to conclude the budget bilateral meetings as scheduled in order to get the 2021 budget ready for transmission to the National Assembly (NASS) by President Muhammadu Buhari this month.
The latest budget circular issued by the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning put the expenditure ceiling of the 2021 pre-bilateral proposal for the Presidency at N10 billion compared with N15.3 billion of the revised 2020 budget passed by the National Assembly.
Participants at the virtual meeting include Chief Executives and key budget, finance and accounts staff of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Nigeria’s Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, has urged the President Buhari-led Federal Executive Council (FEC) to begin in earnest estimates for the 2021 budget and ensure it is presented to the National Assembly by the end of September this year.
Senate President Lawan stated this Tuesday in his remarks after President Muhammadu Buhari’s request on the 2021 – 2023 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper (MTEF/FSP) was referred to the Senate Committees on Finance; and National Planning for further legislative input.
Lawan, while charging both Committees to engage the Ministry of Finance, Budget, and National Planning on the MTEF/FSP request, stressed the need for the panel to lend its support to Revenue Generating Agencies, where necessary, towards meeting expected revenue targets.
The Committees were given four weeks to report back to the Senate.
“The request of Mr. President C-in-C is referred to the two committees, Senate Committees on Finance; Budget and National Planning, with Finance as the lead Committee.
“This Senate is giving the Committee four weeks within which to work very closely with the Ministry of Finance, Budget, and National Planning, and particularly engagement with the revenue-generating agencies where we are expecting them to meet their targets.
“We need to ensure that they have all the support that they require from the National Assembly, particularly the Senate to meet their targets.
“Meanwhile, the executive should continue to work on the preparations for the 2021 budget, and by this, we are also equally committed to ensuring that we receive the budget estimates at the end of September and that we are able to consider the budget and get it passed before the end of December to repeat what we did for budget 2020,” Lawan said.
By Tobiloba Kolawole
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