Business
FG Slashes Budget To N5.08trn, Sends To NASS For Review

The Federal Government has revised downward the revenue projection for the 2020 budget by N 3.3 trillionfrom the initial approved amount of N8.41 trillion to N 5. 08 trillion .
The revised revenue projection is contained in a proposal sent to the National Assembly by the executive.
The reduction became imperative in view of of the negative impact of the coronavirus pandemic, which had led to disruptions to global supply chains, sharp drop in global crude oil prices, turmoil in global stock and financial markets.
These outcomes have had severe consequences on households ’ livelihoods and business activities, resulting from drop in global demand, declined consumer confidence and slowdown in production
Based on the revenue parameters underlying the revised proposal , the Federal Government revised downwards the oil price benchmark from $ 57 per barrel to $ 30 per barrel.
Similarly, the oil production volume was reduced from 2.18 million barrels per day to 1.7 million barrels per day.
The exchange rate was, however, raised from N305 to a dollar to N360 to a dollar based on the devaluation of the naira by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
An analysis of the revenue items showed that oil revenue suffered the highest reduction of N2.38 trillon from the initial approved amount of N2.63 trillion to N254.25 bn.
Based on the proposal, dividend from the NLNG was reduced from N124.26 bn to N80.37 bn while non – oil revenue would witness a decline of N269 bn from N1.8 trillion to N1.53 trillion.
In the same vein , revenue projection from signature bonus was revised downward from N 939.3 bn to N568.68 bn , while revenue from stamp duty was reduced from N463.94 bn to N 200 bn.
However, independent revenue from agencies of government was increased by N66.88 bn from N 849.96 bn to N916.84 bn.
On the expenditure side , the executive is proposing a reduction of about N321 bn in spending from the initial estimate of N10.59 trillion to N10.27 trillion.