By Harry Awurumibe, Editor Abuja Bureau
Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting which was presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday deliberated only on one item, the 2023 Budget which will be formerly presented to the National Assembly (NASS) on Friday.
This was disclosed by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina while briefing State House Correspondents after the weekly FEC meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
According to him Wednesday’s FEC meeting only considered the draft budget estimate for 2023, to be presented by President Buhari to the National Assembly on Friday, October 7.
Said he: “I was directed to brief you (Press) on the outcome of today’s FEC meeting. It was a one item meeting.
Cabinet discussed extensively on the 2023 Federal Budget which Mr. President will lay before the National Assembly on Friday”
“That’s what happened in the Cabinet meeting. I was instructed to come and brief the press because it will not be nice to start talking on the 2023 Budget which will be laid before the National Assembly on Friday”.
Asked to elaborate on the 2023 Budget, Adesina said it contained the 2023 to 2025 Expenditure Framework among other things, insisting that Cabinet members have made their inputs and the final copy of the Budget has been approved for presentation which President Buhari will present on Friday.
The virtual FEC meeting which was Chaired by Buhari at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja also has Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha and the Chief of Staff to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari physically present.
Others are Head of the Service of the Federation, Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan; Ministers of Justice, Abubakar Malami; Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, Finance Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed.
Ministers of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mohammed Bello; Education, Adamu Adamu,; Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama; Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Farouq and Ministers of State for Agriculture, Mustapha Shehuri, Budget and National Planning Clement Agba and Environment, Udi Odum.
Other cabinet members are participating virtually from their respective offices in Abuja.
