PEOPLE’S Democratic Party (PDP) senator representing Abia South, Enyinnaya Abaribe has faulted the 2020 budget presented by Nigeria President, Muhammadu Buhari, describing it as nothing but a budget of taxation.
Buhari yesterday presented the 2020 budget which he named budget of sustainable growth and job creation, but Abaribe has faulted it as a plan that may not cause economic growth.
“I urge the Senate to look at that fact as it is not a sustainable budget. Debt servicing is higher than capital expenditure, we are struggling,” he said .
Buhari announced that the federal government would spend a total of 2.8 trillion for debt servicing in 2020 and proposed the sum of N2.14 trillion on capital expenditure which Abaribe argued that it cannot sustain Nigeria.
However, during the plenary, other senators expressed a different view of the budget.
Aliyu Sabi, senator representing Niger North said the budget is a budget of continued change and that the government is on the right trajectory and that the budget has addressed how the micro and medium small enterprises will play a key role in building the Nigerian economy.
He said the budget would continue ‘the change’ and ensure Nigerians have a better life.
Former governor of Benue State, and senator representing Benue North, Gabriel Suwame took a similar position with Aliyu, he commended Buhari for bringing an ambitious budget but stated that the deficit worries him and also noted the correspondent borrowing increase.
Barau Jibrin, the senator from Kano North noted that the government needs to enhance the welfare of uniformed men and women so that they can keep citizens safe.
Other senators also took their position and made recommendations, considerations, and contributions to the 2020 budget proposal by Buhari.
During the plenary, the senators also presented bills for the first hearing, including the Sexual Harassment Bill, 2019 (SB. 77) which was presented at the 8th assembly by the Senate Majority Leader, Ovie Omo-Agege.
President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan moved that plenary be adjourned to Thursday and the minority leader seconded the motion.
Lukman Abolade is an Investigative reporter with The ICIR. Reach out to him via [email protected], on twitter @AboladeLAA and FB @Correction94
