Buhari will be allowed to present 2021 budget with only handful of aides, says Senate

Yanju Uwala in Abeokuta

The Senate has asked President Muhammadu Buhari  to reduce number of aides to accompany him to the plenary , as he presents the 2021 Appropriation Bill before a joint session of the National Assembly on Thursday.

Penpushing reports the Senate said the President will only be allowed to be accompanied by limited number of  people on his entourage and they should be the   key and relevant during the  budget presentation .

The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan while emphasisng  on this during a plenary on Wednesday in Abuja, said that the budget presentation will not exceed one hour because of coronavirus situation.

Penpushing further reports that Lawan  also urged the lawmakers to maintain social distancing during the budget presentation, adding that arrangements has been made to observe social distancing

“The joint session normally take place in the chamber of the House of Representatives. It is going to be the same. It will take place there but by this time around because of the situation of COVID-19, we have made arrangements to observe social distancing in the chamber’, he said.

“We also have to wear our face masks mandatorily. We are going to also abridge the entire event because we will be many there. So the entire event will last just about an hour.From the entry of the President into the chamber and addresses and the presentation and laying will be just an hour event so that we are able to comply with the requirements of the COvID-19 protocol’.

“Mr. President  this time around will not be accompanied by many people on the entourage. Only few people – very key and relevant to budget – will accompany Mr. President into the chamber. I think by the arrangement those of them that have little to do with the budget will join virtually what will happen.”