In a recent address, Abia Senate Committee on Privatization, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, appealed for patience with President Bola Tinubu, stating that he needs time to address Nigeria’s challenges. Kalu also warned of a potential N289 billion loss if the proposed National Population Census is not conducted.
Speaking in Edda, Ebonyi State, Kalu absolved President Tinubu of involvement in the budget increase, clarifying that the National Assembly was responsible for raising the 2024 budget from N27.7 trillion to N28.7 trillion, a bill signed into law by President Tinubu in Abuja on Monday.
Kalu, attending a special thanksgiving service organized by APC’s State Chairman, Chief Stanley Okoro-Emegha, urged South East residents to support the APC voluntarily, emphasizing the importance of conscious voting. He praised governors Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi and Hope Uzodimma of Imo for addressing fundamental issues in their states.
Acknowledging the nation’s hardships, Kalu appealed for more time, using a metaphorical reference to cloth cutting and sewing to explain the ongoing government efforts. He clarified that the budget increase was due to unanticipated expenses related to the National Population Census, emphasizing that President Tinubu was not involved in the adjustment.
Abia Senate Committee, Kalu, a ranking member of the National Assembly’s appropriation committee, highlighted the financial strain faced by the National Population Commission (NPC) in conducting the census. He emphasized the necessity of allocating funds for the census, estimating a potential loss of N289 billion if the exercise is not conducted. Kalu concluded by underscoring the importance of including these expenses in the budget to avoid the economic repercussions of a missed census.
The National Population Commission had initially planned to conduct the census last year, but the exercise was canceled. There are indications that it may be rescheduled within the first quarter of this year.
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