There is a heavy presence of security operatives in and around the National Assembly Complex, Abuja, where the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), is presenting the 2021 Appropriation Bill before the parliament today.
The ceremony began at 11 am.
The PUNCH correspondent observed that there was more deployment of officers of the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Federal Road Safety Corps and sergeants-at-arms, who manned strategic points.
While shops and other private businesses including banks and restaurants are closed for the day, only a few workers are allowed in.
They are to wear a special accreditation tag along with their identity cards.
Those allowed to enter, including journalists, have their names confirmed on the lists provided at three points.
Only journalists from television stations, who will broadcast the event live, are allowed into the House of Representatives chamber.
President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, said the National Assembly is ready to pass the 2021 Appropriation Bill before the end of 2020.
Lawan made this known in his opening remarks before Buhari was called to lay the national budget before the joint session of the National Assembly.
“The National Assembly is ready to pass the 2021 budget before the end of the year, by the grace of God,” Lawan said.
Members of the Senate are to move to the House chamber which is larger and usually used for joint sessions.
THE PUNCH
Be the first to comment