2019 Appropriation Bill: Presidency Ready, Awaits NASS Date

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The 2019 appropriation bill is ready for presentation to the National Assembly (NASS). The presidency through the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, yesterday, confirmed that following the approval by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) at a special session last Friday, the President is ready with the fiscal document for presentation at a joint session of the parliament on any date agreed by both chambers.

The minister said that the delay of the 2019 Budget presentation is now in the hands of the lawmakers, but not the President. According to him, the President is ready to present the budget any day the lawmakers are ready. The president had, last week, transmitted the budget proposal to the National Assembly. 

After the council meeting presided over by President Buhari. Udoma alongside the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed and Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, briefed State House correspondents. He said that the decision on the date for the presentation is now purely in the hands of the lawmakers. 

He said: "As you already know, the budget is ready. We are liaising with the National Assembly because they are to give us a date. If they say today, we will go. The budget is ready." Speaking on the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Udoma said: "Today (Wednesday), I reported to the FEC that we have seen steady recovery from the recession period. The report indicates that the economy when measured by real GDP grew at 1.81 per cent in the 3rd quarter 2018, compared to 1.5 per cent in the 2nd quarter of 2018. "

The FEC was particularly encouraged to note that economic growth continues to be driven by the non-oil sector which grew by 3.32 per cent in the 3rd quarter. "This has been the strongest growth in nonoil GDP in 12 consecutive quarters since the fourth quarter of 2015. "By economic activity, non-oil growth was driven by transportation, electricity, telecommunication, metal oils, quarry and so on. 

In addition, agriculture and manufacturing sectors also grew, agriculture by 1.91 per cent manufacturing by 1.92 per cent these are stronger growth than in the 2nd quarter,” he said. Reacting to reports that despite the positive GDP figures, portfolio investors were wary of the country’s economic environment, Udoma said investors will naturally be cautious in making investments during the periods of general elections. He urged investors not to be cautious with the forthcoming 2019 general elections and continue to invest in Nigeria. 

Meanwhile, Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, disclosed that FEC approved $22.995 million towards enhancing security of the maritime sector. He said: “We got an approval for NIMASA to enhance security of the maritime sector. “It was approved for six companies to protect six sections of the coastal waterways and the $22.9 million when converted amounts to N7.13 billion." 

The Information Minister, who was asked to respond on the real commitment of President Buhari towards a free and peaceful election, simply replied that: “There is no person as committed to this than the President.”

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