President Muhammadu Buhari is not in a hurry to sign the N6.06trn 2016 Appropriation Bill passed by the National Assembly last Wednesday, it was learnt yesterday.
Although the leadership of the National Assembly handed over the Bill to The Presidency for assent before it went on recess, our correspondent gathered that the Bill did not contain details and sectoral breakdown.
A Presidency source who confirmed the receipt of the Bill from the lawmakers last Thursday, explained that though the President is anxious to sign the Bill, he would only do so after the National Assembly avails him of the details which were not contained in what was handed over.
Asked if that could be done within the period that the National Assembly would be on recess, the source said it was a possibility as the relevant officers in the National. Assembly may be directed to send the details to the President.
“I can confirm to you that we have received the Bill since Wednesday but there were no sectoral details on what was appropriated.
“There is no way the President can sign the bill into law without a thorough knowledge of the details. He has asked for the details from the leadership of the National Assembly. As soon as he gets this, I’m sure members of his economic team will look at it and advise on whether to assent the bill or not.
“I know Nigerians are anxious to see the budget matter resolved as soon as possible. We are also anxious but we have to be pragmatic about it. Without the details, how do you expect the President to have a firm grasp of what he was signing? I know the National Assembly is on recess but it should be a problem as all that is required is an instruction to the relevant officers to dispatch the details of the bill to the Presidency.
