From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
The Presidency has assured that President Muhammadu Buhari will not let Nigerians down on key promises made by his government.
It said the Buhari administration, which came to power on the plank of anti-corruption and good governance, will live up to its promises and commitments.
Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu told State House Correspondents that the decision to submit the budget proposals of Ministries Department and Agencies (MDAs) to the National Assembly for their consideration, was in line with the president’s wish to offer a more accountable and transparent administration.
“The laying of budgets for the MDAs, particularly those regarding the Central Bank and the NNPC behemoth is clearly unprecedented. The President is determined to make the budgeting more transparent and more participative. It is all part of the reengineering of the entire processes of government for the benefit of the welfare of ordinary citizens,” he explained.
“By responding positively to the demand of the National Assembly that MDA budgets be laid before it for scrutiny, a demand mostly ignored by past administrations, President Buhari has given a clear indication of his commitment to an open, transparent and people-oriented government for Nigerians. It is equally a mark of respect for the institution of parliament. Our hope and expectation is that the National Assembly, acting in the best interest of the nation, will allow the immediate operationalisation of the budgets, so that the momentum of growth of the economy, which has begun to build up, will be sustained,” Shehu said .