The Senate, yesterday, approved the extension of the implementation of the 2021 budget year from December 2021 to March 2022.
The approval followed a request by President Muhammadu Buhari to do so because the Federal Government is looking to fund “critical and urgent” needs provided for in the Appropriation bill.
The President’s request was contained in a letter to the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, who read it out at the start of plenary on Tuesday.
In his letter, Buhari explained that his request for virement would enhance the government’s efforts to “improve the wellbeing of Nigerians.”
He continued: “The 2021 budget presentation implementation has areas that will need additional funding for some critical and urgent line items in the budget.
“In the light of the above, I implore the Senate to consider the virement proposals to support our efforts to improve the wellbeing of our citizens.”
Thereafter, the lawmakers speedily amended the 2021 Appropriation Bill, which was promptly read for the second and third time and approved to grant the President’s request.
The 2021 budget presentation implementation has areas that will need additional funding for some critical and urgent line items in the budget.
