Senate President, Ahmad Lawan on Wednesday stated that many Presidential aides and ministers would not be allowed at the 2021 budget presentation by President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday.
Ahmad stated that COVID-19 protocols would be fully observed during as the 2021 Appropriation Bill is presented to a joint session of the National Assembly by Buhari.
He said most of the President’s aides, who are not directly involved in the budget process, would not be admitted into the Chambers.
The Senate President stated this following a motion by the Senate Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North), on the floor of the Senate titled: “That the Senate and House of Representatives do sit in a joint session to receive an address by Mr. President Commander-In-Chief, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR on Thursday, 8th October, 2020 at 11.00a.m on the 2021 Appropriation Bill.”
However, he said those who would not be admitted may join the session virtually.
According to Lawan: “The joint session normally takes place in the chamber of the House of Representatives.
“It is going to be the same. It will take place there but this time around because of the situation of COVID-19, we have made arrangements to observe social distancing in the Chamber.
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“We also have to wear our face masks mandatorily. We are going to also abridge the entire event because we will be many there.
“So the entire event will last just about an hour. From the entry of the President into the chamber and addresses and the presentation and laying will be just an hour event so that we are able to comply with the requirements of the COvID-19 protocol.
“Mr. President too, this time around, will not be accompanied by many people on the entourage.
“Only few people – very key and relevant to budget – will accompany Mr. President into the Chamber.
“I think by the arrangement those of them that have little to do with the budget will join virtually what will happen.”
