By Bukola Olasanmi
Few days to the end of the year, President Muhammadu Buhari has sent the National Assembly an N819.5 billion supplementary budget.
Domestic borrowings are expected to cover the request.
He said the budget deficit will thus rise to N8.17 trillion.
The supplementary budget, according to a letter read by House Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, is intended to address food security in the aftermath of devastating floods across the country, as well as damage to the road infrastructure and water sectors.
The supplementary budget, according to the president, is based on the need to complete ongoing critical Federal Government projects such as dams and irrigation projects.
Buhari presented a record N20.51 trillion proposed budget for the fiscal year 2023 to the two chambers of the National Assembly in October.
The budget, which is the largest in the country’s history, is the president’s last before his term expires next year.