The Federal Executive Council (FEC) Wednesday approved the 2023 Appropriation Bill for onward presentation to the National Assembly.
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, told State House correspondents after the weekly FEC meeting that President Muhammadu Buhari would present the budget estimates Friday at a joint session of the National Assembly.
“It was virtually a one item Federal Executive Council meeting in which the budget proposals for 2023 was presented and discussed at length. That budget proposal would be taken to the National Assembly on Friday morning by the President.
“It will not be proper to begin to discuss the content of what will be officially presented on Friday. We want to give the National Assembly the honour of receiving it first then there will be a breakdown on a later date by the Minister of Finance,” he said.
Adesina also explained why the Federal Executive Council meeting holds virtually months after COVID-19 has been declared over in the country.
“You know, you have to follow the protocols, as done by the steering committee on COVID-19 and the last protocols they announced was that when you are in an open place, you are at liberty to do without your mask, but when you are in an enclosed place, then it is advisable to still use your mask.
“The Council Chambers is enclosed, there are, I think 42 ministers, by the time 42 ministers congregate there, along with other Cabinet Office staff, it’s becoming choked. Then it may not be advisable to have a full blown physical meeting yet, but I’m sure we’ll get to that point,” he said.
