The current budget controversy between the Executive and
National Assembly (NASS) may linger than expected as N60 billion coastal
railway project, is tearing the All Progressive Congress (APC)-led federal
government apart, investigations revealed, reports ITRealms.
President Muhammadu Buhari was reportedly last Thursday,
April 7, 2016 received details of the budget on demand as passed by the
National Assembly, which he within 24 hours fingered another reason for
delaying assent to the 2016 Appropriation Bill shortly before departing for
China.
ITRealms gathered
that President Buhari on this development, behest all the Ministers to ensure
they reviewed the provisions cum appropriations of their respective ministries
to align what was eventually passed by NASS.
A close hint available to ITRealms showed that further delay on
the ‘budget of controversy’ may linger as this was the core reasons behind the
refusal of President Buhari to assent to the 2016 budget as passed by
the National Assembly (NASS) a fortnight ago before the request for budget
details came to the fore.
But reliable source at the Presidency, affirmed to ITRealms that the budget could not be
assented to when a critical part of APC proposed project is missing as passed.
This, ITRealms
gathered was confirmed and formed part of the Presidential visit China at the
weekend, but was disappointed.
The two rail projects, ITRealms
further gathered include the Northern and Eastern Lines, which are the
Lagos-Kano and Calabar – Lagos lines respectively. While the Lagos-Kano proposed
line was intact, the Calabar – Lagos line was reportedly deleted from the
budget.
ITRealms recalled that the projects are to be jointly funded
by the Peoples Republic of China and the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Pix: Vice President, Yemi Osibanjo and head of Economic Team of Buhari administration.
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