2016 Budget Reportedly Unsigned

Following the departure of President Muhammadu Buhari to China on Sunday, April 10, 2016, there are reports that he might have left without signing the 2016 budget.

According to a report by Punch Newspaper, the hope of an early signing of the 2016 Appropriation Bill into law after the Senate and House of Reps passed a budget of N6.06tn, might have dimmed with the President’s sojourn to China.

It was further reported that Buhari will be away from the country for one week as informed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina.

Though the Appropriation Bill was forwarded to the Presidency within 24 hours of the passage by the National Assembly but the President had since declined signing insisting on reviewing and verifying all details as apportioned to each ministires before approval.

Meanwhile, Adesina stressed that Buhari’s trip to China is aimed at securing greater support from Beijing for the development of Nigeria’s infrastructure, thus, 10 ministers that include Agriculture; Water Resources; Transportation; Defence; Power, Works and Housing; Industry, Trade and Investment; Federal Capital Territory; Science and Technology and Foreign Affairs, and some state governors will accompany the President on his visit to China.