Says public debate needed before FG enters loan contracts

By Gabriel Ewepu – Abuja

A non-governmental organisation working to combat poverty and promote social justice in Nigeria, ActionAid Nigeria, Tuesday, called for upward review of Agriculture, Health, and Education allocations in the 2021 Budget Proposal presented by President Muhammadu Buhari to the National Assembly last Thursday.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Country Director, Ene Obi, where the organization made some observations on the total budget of N13.08tn with an aggregate revenue projection of 7,886tn, which is described as very ambitious. Given that the downward spiral trend of the economy compelled the Federal Government to review the 2020 budget, in which total Federal Government expenditure was revised downwards from N10.594 trillion to N10.523 trillion.

Likewise, key benchmark revenue assumptions were revised downwards. Crude oil price benchmark