Senate gives President Buhari nod to extend 2021 budget implementation year

Abiodun OBA

The request by President Muhammadu Buhari to extend the 2021 budget implementation year from December 2021 to March 2022 has been approved.

The president’s request was contained in a letter to the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, who read it out at the start of the plenary on Tuesday.

Mr Buhari asked the National Assembly for the virement of the 2021 budget.

In his letter, Mr Buhari said he sought an extension of the 2021 budget till March 2022 because the federal government is looking to fund “critical and urgent” needs provided for in the Appropriation bill.

Mr Buhari said his request for virement would enhance the federal government’s efforts to “improve the wellbeing of Nigerians.”

“The 2021 budget presentation implementation has areas that will need additional funding for some critical and urgent line items in the budget.

“In the light of the above, I implore the Senate to consider the virement proposals to support our efforts to improve the wellbeing of our citizens.

Shortly after the president’s letter was read, the lawmakers speedily amended the 2021 Appropriation bill to accommodate his request.

The bill was speedily read for the second and third time before approving the president’s request.

The lawmakers have planned to pass both the Finance bill and the 2022 budget today, before embarking on the Christmas holidays.