TheCable

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has sought the approval of the house of representatives for the virement (re-allocation) of N135 billion in the 2017 budget to some exigent projects.

The request of the acting president was contained in a letter to the lower chamber. The letter was also sent to the senate, but it was not read by Senate President Bukola Saraki before the plenary session of the senate.

According to the letter, N3.1 billion will be re-allocated from the ministry of works and housing; N33 billion from the ministry of transportation; N14 billion from the office of the secretary of the government of the federation; N5 billion from the office of the national security adviser, and N5 billion from the ministry of science and technology.

Also, N3 billion will be vired from  the ministry of defence; N3 billion from the federal capital territory administration, and N 1 billion from the ministry of health.

The national assembly had squared off with Babatunde Fashola, minister of power, works and housing, over his claim that the assembly inserted projects into in the budget. But both parties later sheathed their drawn swords.