Following National Assembly Alterations, PMB May Not Sign 2018 Budget

President Muhammadu Buhari might not assent to the 2018 budget recently passed due to the N501 billion that was added to it by the National Assembly.

Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma hinted at the President’s refusal because the added sum might not be feasible.

Speaking through his Special Adviser on Media, Akpandem James, the Minister said, the National Assembly would have to tell Nigerians if they have discovered another revenue stream unknown to the Federal Government to cover the addition.

“When we see the details, we will be in a better position to know how they came about it.

“We will see if they have discovered another revenue stream, which we were not aware of, or just relying on increased crude oil price,” he said.

The senate had increased the appropriation Bill from the N8.612 trillion proposed by President Buhari, to N9.12 trillion before passing the budget; while also increasing the crude oil benchmark price of the budget from $45 to $50.5.