Supplementary Budget Not Yet In National Assembly – Presidency

The Presidency on Tuesday confirmed that it is yet to transmit the supplementary budget for 2021 to the National Assembly.

The development was confirmed by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives), Umar el-Yakub, while speaking with the Punch.

Recall that the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, in February, disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari-led government would prepare a supplementary budget to be sent to the National Assembly to cater for COVID-19 vaccines and vaccination.

The Minister while speaking at the maiden edition of State House briefing held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, noted that the budget would be ready in March.

The President before traveling to the United Kingdom on Monday met with the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, to discuss issues around the supplementary budget which is meant to cater for security and vaccine production.

El-Yakub when asked if the budget had been transmitted by the Presidency, in a text message said, “It hasn’t been transmitted.”

Meanwhile, the presidency on Tuesday explained why President Buhari did not transmit power to the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo before departing to London on a medical trip.

The President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu explained that power transmission was unnecessary as Buhari will continue ruling Nigeria from wherever he is.

He added that the constitution only says the President must hand over if he will be away for more than 21 days.