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2019: We presented the best budget possible, FG replies Saraki

Published

5 years ago

December 22, 2018

The Federal Government said on Friday that the 2019 budget estimates remained the best it could produce in the present economic circumstances of the country .President Muhammadu Buhari had on Wednesday presented N 8 . 83 trn estimates to a joint session of the National Assembly for consideration as the budget for the coming year .

But , on Thursday , the President of the Senate , Bukola Saraki, described the budget as hopeless and having nothing to offer the future of the country .

Saraki , who is the Director -General of the Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Campaign Organisation , spoke in Abuja during an interactive session between the organisation and some Civil Society Organisations .

Saraki had stated , “ Does he ( Buhari) have the ability to create jobs for you the youths and create a booming economy ? Yesterday ( Wednesday ) , we all heard the 2019 budget ; that is a budget that has no hope for anybody because if you look at the statistics and the figures there is poverty .

But , reacting on Friday, the Minister of Information and Culture , Alhaji Lai Mohammed , said the All Progressives Congress government led by Buhari presented the best budget the present circumstances could allow it .

Mohammed spoke in an interview with State House correspondents after attending Friday’ s Juma ’ at service at the Presidential Villa Mosque .

He said , “ It is not the practice of the Executive to be exchanging words with the Legislative arm of government; they are independent , we are independent .

“ But , to the best of our knowledge , we presented a budget given the circumstances of our resources this year ; we feel that ( budget ) is the best we can . It is left for the National Assembly to consider it . ”