2019 budget: What Buhari said after signing money bill into law

President Muhammadu Buhari has said adjustments to the 2019 budget by the National Assembly may affect its smooth implementation.

Buhari said the addition of about N90billion to the N8.83trillion he submitted to the legislature would make it difficult for government to realise its set objectives.

He said this at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, while signing the 2019 money bill into law.

The President, however, stated that the executive arm of government would dialogue with the forthcoming ninth National Assembly so as to make life much better for Nigerians.

He said: “Of course, some of these changes will adversely impact our programmes making it difficult for us to achieve the objectives of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan.

“Although I will be signing this bill, it is my intention to engage the National Assembly to ensure we deliver on our promises.

“I will therefore be engaging with the leadership of the 9th National Assembly as soon as they emerge to address some of our concerns with the budget.”

According to Buhari, his administration will look at how to improve the budget process in order to speed up its consideration as well as return the country to the January to December fiscal year timetable.

He appreciated the Ministers of Budget and National Planning, Finance, the budget office of the federation and all other stakeholders who played key roles in producing the document.

President Buhari also lauded the leadership and members of the National Assembly for efforts they put into passing the 2019 appropriation bill.

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