The House of Representatives has offered reasons why it jerked up the 2018 budget by about N500billion.
Chairman, Committee on Appropriation, Mr. Mustapha Dawaki (APC, Kano) said the increment was made in order to tackle the infrastructural deficit and the insecurity in the country.
He also explained that several reasons necessitated the increment including the need to upwardly review the infrastructure deposit from N290 billion to N360 billion. Also, an additional N10 billion was allocated to the health sector, while the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)’s funds were increased to N81 billion.
Other areas that received a significant boost include the Operation Lafia Dole by the military in the North-east, the newly created federal universities, Ministry of Power, Human Rights Commission, etc.
He further expressed his satisfaction with the 2017 budget performance, noting that it is the first time he has seen the government implement its budget so thoroughly.
“I must say I’m impressed with the 2017 budget implementation because it has never happened in this country. Currently, budget performance is at 70% and I want to commend this government for that because its has created employment and jobs.”
Finally, the lawmaker apologised to Nigerians for the delay saying that it was unavoidable and was not done to punish anyone.
