Nigerian government reveals when 2018 budget will be ready

Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, the Minister of Budget and National Planning, has revealed when the 2018 budget would be ready.

Udoma said the ministry was working hard to ensure that the 2018 budget proposal will be sent to the National Assembly in January.

Udoma made this known while speaking in Abuja on Wednesday during the public presentation and capacity building on 2017 agriculture budget.

Represented by Mr Aso Vakporoye, Deputy Director, Economic Growth in the ministry, the minister noted that with the effort of relevant stakeholders, the issue of late passage of budget would be addressed.

He said, “For 2018, the Federal Government part of it has been concluded with hope that it will be submitted to the National Assembly in January.

“Government is putting more effort to address the issue of dry season farming because when the budget is passed on time, it will enable it provide funds for farmers promptly,’’ he said.

Speaking earlier, Mr Ken Ukaoha, President, National Association of Nigeria Traders (NANTS), said that the agricultural sector presently contributed more than 22 per cent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product.

“In the recent times, emphasis has been laid on the diversification of the economy, especially the agricultural sector, which employs a greater number of the country’s population.

“Some initiatives, such as consuming `Made in Nigeria’ products, have also been promoted as way to encourage domestic production of agricultural goods for the country,’’ he said.