Lawmakers bar Buhari’s ministers, aides from budget presentation

Senate President Ahmad Lawan on Wednesday said all COVID-19 safety protocols would be strictly observed at Thursday’s presentation of 2021 budget estimates by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Buhari is scheduled to present the N13.08trn 2021 budget proposal to a joint session of both chambers of the National Assembly by 11:00hrs.

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Lawan said due to the situation of COVID-19, the budget presentation would be abridged and last for one hour.

He said only few executive members, relevant to the budget, would accompany Buhari into the chamber.

He said: “The joint session normally take place in the chamber of the House of Representatives. It’s going to be the same. It’ll take place there, but by this time around, because of the situation of COVID-19, we’ve made arrangements to observe social distancing in the chamber.

“We also have to wear or face masks mandatorily. We’re going to also abridge the entire event because we’ll be many there. So, the entire event will last just about an hour.