Budget Presentation: Senate Asks Buhari To Reduce His Entourage, Says Others Can Join Virtually

Ahead of the Thursday 2021 Budget presentation, Ahmad Lawan the President of the Nigerian Senate has directed President Muhammadu Buhari to visit the National assembly with only members of his entourage that are fully involved in the budget preparation.

Making this disclosure at the Wednesday plenary session, Lawan told the lawmakers that the budget presentation would take place in the chambers of the House of Representatives.

Lawan explained that the decision to limit the entourage that will be accompanying President Buhari to the National Assembly was because of the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic.

READ ALSO: 2021 Budget: Buhari To Present Estimated Budget On Thursday

He further revealed that arrangement has been made to ensure that social-distancing is observed in the chambers.

"This time around because of the situation of COVID-19 pandemic, we have made arrangements to observe social distancing in the chamber.

“We also have to wear or 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.

“This is done so that we would be able to comply with the requirements of the COVID-19 protocol.

“Mr. President too this time around will not be accompanied by many people on the entourage.

“Only a few people very key and relevant to the 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,” Lawan said.

"The President is expected to present the 2021 national budget estimates to the joint session of the federal parliament on Thursday," he said.

 AllNews on Tuesday reported that President Buhari will be presenting the proposed 2021 budget to the lawmakers on Thursday, October 8, 2020.