2012 budget: Reps kick against N921 billion for security

The House of Representatives, onThursday, picked hole in the 2012 budget proposal presented to the National Assembly by President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday as it kicked against the allocation of N921.91 billion for security as against power and education sectors which got N161.42 billion and N400.15 billion respectively.The House also said that it had not okayed the removal of fuel subsidy and that consultations on the removal or otherwise were ongoing.Addressing newsmen at the National Assembly complex in Abuja, the chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Honourable Zakari Mohammed, called on the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) 'to exercise patience in reacting to the 2012 budget proposal'.While expressing reservation on the 2012 budget proposal, the House spokesman said that, 'it is not compulsory for us to take budget hook, line and sinker. The defence budget is too high, we are not in a war situation, we would definitely review all the ministries' budget, we would take from where money is loaded to other sectors where money is needed to make the economy grow.'Commenting on the fuel subsidy removal he said, 'we have not changed our position on the issue of removal of fuel subsidy. The status quo remains. In reworking the budget proposal, the House will ensure that the issue is properly debated and an appropriate decision taken. What is sure is that provision must be made for subsidy in this budget.
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