Atiku Bagudu, minister of budget and national planning, says
it is ridiculous to suggest that the controversial presidential yacht was put
in the supplementary budget for President Bola Tinubu’s comfort.
On Thursday, both chambers of the national assembly passed a
N2 trillion supplementary budget.
However, the house of representatives reallocated the budget
to the students’ loan programme.
The senate and the house would have to harmonise and take a
position before the budget is transmitted to Tinubu for assent.
Speaking with reporters on Friday on the sidelines of a
three-day cabinet retreat at the presidential villa, Bagudu said “personal
comfort” does not matter to the president.
“The mischaracterisation or controversy that followed from
the way the navy described the ship has unfortunately generated controversy,”
the minister said.
“If [you have] a budget of N2.2 trillion [and] 95 percent of
it is okay, I think President Tinubu should be given credit for it.
“More so, President Tinubu has always told us his team that
he is happy with all he has achieved in life, personal comfort does not matter
to him.
“Before he was elected president, he stayed in a three
bedroom apartment in Abuja.
He lives a modest, humble life.
“So to suggest that something was put in the budget for his
comfort is ridiculous.”
The minister said during the campaigns, Tinubu promised to
address the country’s security challenges, which is why 30 percent of the supplementary
budget has been earmarked to the security agencies.
“Equally, he has
spoken about the need to support vulnerable populace and keep promises equally
30 percent of the supplementary budget is also on the on palliatives,” Bagudu
said.
He added that the country’s infrastructural needs got 25
percent of the budget.
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Why can't they say that? Nigerians don't have water body security challenges, everybody knows that we have land and border issues where army and airforce are involved. Not Navy and water security issues at this worst economic situation since Nigeria was created.
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