Jonathan goes on leave without signing budget

[DT]

     Two days after expiration of the 2011 budget, President Goodluck Jonathan has embarked on a one-week working leave without signing the 2012 budget into law.

Presidential spokesman Reuben Abati said Jonathan began a week-long break from his usual work yesterday and will not resume until the end of Easter holidays. Jonathan has not signed the budget three weeks after both chambers of the National Assembly passed a N4.8 trillion budget while the 2011 fiscal year ended March 31.

When asked if the clean copy of the 2012 budget has been sent to the President for assent, Senate Leader Victor Ndoma-Egba (SAN) said the budget is supposed to have been sent last Thursday "but I have not confirmed if that has been done."

Daily Trust however gathered at the National Assembly that a clean copy of the budget was forwarded to the Presidency last Thursday but is yet to be signed by the president.

It was also gathered that the president has issues with the increase of about N200 billion to the budget proposal which hiked the figure from N4.64 to N4.8 trillion.

Abati said the president will remain in Abuja during the period and continue to deal with all essential affairs of state.


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Daily Trust