Jonathan Slashes Anniversary Budget To N6.5bn

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President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has slashed the Independence Anniversary Budget from N16.4 billion to N6.5 billion.

The Weekend Tide gathered that the reduction of the budget by The Presidency followed the wide criticisms of the budget by the public and the National Assembly.

Hitherto, it was the opinion of Nigerians that N10 billion would be enough for the celebration of the 50th Independence Anniversary of the country.

President Jonathan forwarded the new budget yesterday for the National Assembly’s consideration.

It would be recalled that President Jonathan last month requested for a supplementary budget of N638.8 billion, citing the need to allocate funds for the 50th anniversary and the resettlement of Niger Delta militants, among others.

The bill then was referred to the joint committee on Finance and Appropriation for further legislative consideration.

Meanwhile, Senator Buckar Ibrahim of ANPP from Yobe state says Nigeria has every reason to celebrate the forthcoming 50th independence anniversary of the country.

Senator Ibrahim who said this in an interview with newsmen in Abuja, explained that there had been tremendous changes in the country in the last 50 years.

Senator Ibrahim who urged Nigerians to give credit to the pioneer leaders of the country, who started it all, said Nigerians had benefited tremendously, even during the military dispensations.

He noted that the country grew from three regions to its present 36 states, noting that Nigeria has also done well in terms of infrastructural development.