This Wednesday, the Senate commenced deliberation on the 2020 budget proposal during plenary.
The lawmakers took turns debating the Bill at plenary on Wednesday. Out of the N10.33 trillion in the 2020 Budget, N556.7 billion is for Statutory Transfer, while N2. 7 trillion is for Debt Service.
Recall that President Buhari had earlier on Tuesday presented the budget to a joint house of the National Assembly.
Below are photos from the plenary session as well as opinions expressed by a number of Senators on the budget:
PICTURES: #TodayInSenatePlenary pic.twitter.com/jDqgF8JMDX
— The Nigerian Senate (@NGRSenate) October 9, 2019
PICTURES: #TodayInSenatePlenary pic.twitter.com/9TqN4pBx80
— The Nigerian Senate (@NGRSenate) October 9, 2019
“I think the UBEC budget is small, we have to look into it as an assembly. I believe we should also invest more in health.”- Senator Uba Sani.
— The Nigerian Senate (@NGRSenate) October 9, 2019
“I commend both the executive and legislative arms for the appropriate timing of the 2020 Appropriation Bill.”- Senator Bamidele Opeyemi.
— The Nigerian Senate (@NGRSenate) October 9, 2019
“We must make projections that reduces the deficit. We should increase our capital expenditure.”- Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.
— The Nigerian Senate (@NGRSenate) October 9, 2019
“We must be able to get our security architecture correctly to enable people go back to farms. We should take more money to defense and interior to provide the security we need for people to go to their farms.”- Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.
— The Nigerian Senate (@NGRSenate) October 9, 2019
“We hope that the executive will continue on this path to submit budget on time. This is positive development.”- Senator Olubunmi Adetunbi.
— The Nigerian Senate (@NGRSenate) October 9, 2019
“On agriculture, we have to do more! I am in support of the current policy of the government in increasing VAT. This will address the deficit we have and debt recorded.”- Senator Yahaya Oloriegbe.
— The Nigerian Senate (@NGRSenate) October 9, 2019