The National Assembly has transmitted the 2022 Appropriation Bill (N17,126,873,917,692) passed by both chambers of the Assembly to President Muhammadu Buhari for assent.

THEWILL recalls that both the lower and upper legislative houses had raised the total estimate from the proposed N16.391tn to N17.126tn, just as the oil benchmark was raised from the proposed $57 per barrel to $62.

President of the Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan had disclosed last week Wednesday that the National Assembly would transmit the 2022 Budget to President Buhari for assent into law.

Lawan, who had noted that the timely assent of the 2022 Appropriations Bill into law would ensure the commencement of its implementation by January next year, stressed that businesses operating in the country as well as the economy stand to be impacted positively by the timely passage of the nation’s budget.

The transmission of the 2022 Budget to President Buhari by the National Assembly is contained in a letter by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Ojo Amos.

The letter was transmitted on Friday and received by the Chief of Staff to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari on Saturday.

The letter, with reference number NASS/CNA/37/Vol.1/35, was addressed to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and titled ‘APPROPRIATION BILL, 2022.

It reads: “In consonance with the Provisions of the Acts Authentication Act Cap. A2, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, I wish, with due respect, to forward to Your Excellency, the authenticated copies of Appropriation Bill, 2022, for your consideration and assent.

“After Your Excellency’s assent, one copy of the signed bill should be retained in your office while the other two are to be returned for our further action, please.”

Meanwhile, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, on Tuesday said the transmitted 2022 Appropriation Bill will be signed into law by President Buhari on Friday at 10am.