Buhari to assent appropriation bill on Friday, as National Assembly transmits bill to President
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to sign the 2022 Appropriation Bill into law on Friday, December 31, 2021.
The President had received the 2022 Appropriation Bill passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively.
The National Assembly had raised the total estimates from the proposed N16.39tn to N17.13tn.
The oil benchmark was raised from the proposed $57 per barrel to $62.
The breakdown of the budget includes N869bn for statutory allocation, N3.8tn for debt servicing, N6.9tn and N5.4tn for recurrent and capital expenditure respectively.
Our correspondent learnt the 2022 Appropriation Bill was transmitted to the President on Friday, December 24, 2021, by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Amos Ojo, and acknowledged by the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President on Saturday, December 25.
The transmission letter, with reference number NASS/CNA/37/Vol.1/35, which was addressed to the “President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria” and titled, ‘APPROPRIATION BILL, 2022’ read in part, “In consonance with the provisions of the Acts Authentication Act Cap. A2, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, I wish, with due respect, to forward to Your Excellency, the authenticated copies of Appropriation Bill, 2022, for your consideration and assent.
“After Your Excellency’s assent, one copy of the signed bill should be retained in your office while the other two are to be returned for our further action, please.”
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, told The Punch that the budget had been transmitted to the President by the National Assembly and would be assented to by the President on Friday.
He said, “Yes, it’s true. The President will sign the 2022 budget on Friday.”
According to findings, the signing been slated for 10:00am at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Officials attending the singing include Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; President of the Senate, Dr Ahmad Lawan; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, and presidential aides.
