Subsidy: Buhari transmits N2.557trn supplementary budget to National Assembly

President Muhammadu Buhari has written to the National Assembly for a fresh review of the 2022 Appropriation Act.

This was contained in a letter addressed to the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan and Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila.

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The letter was read at the commencement of the plenary on Tuesday.

The review of the budget was sequel to the suspension of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), which seeks stoppage of petroleum subsidy funding through full deregulation of the industry.

Buhari is asking the parliament for approval of N2.557trn supplementary budget to provide for subsidy on petroleum products from July to December 2022.

In the 2022 approved budget, the sum of N443bn was provided for petroleum subsidy from January to June 2022.

The President is also asking the lawmakers to review the Finance Act 2021.

Buhari had while assenting to the Appropriations bill last year, expressed reservations on the ‘‘worrisome changes’’ made by the National Assembly to the 2022 budget.

He had noted that he would revert to the National Assembly with a request for an amendment to ensure that critical ongoing projects cardinal to this administration do not suffer a setback due to reduced funding.

Ministry of Interior board too

President Buhari is also seeking the constitution of the board for paramilitary agencies under the Ministry of Interior.

The letter addressed to the Speaker stated that the President seeks the establishment of the board to reflect the functions of the various para-military establishments under the ministry.

The agencies under the ministry are the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) Nigeria Correctional Services and the Federal Fire Service.