By Ismail Auwal
President Muhammadu Buhari has written to the House of Representatives requesting an increase in the 2022 budget deficit, which would be financed through domestic borrowing.
Buhari made the request in a letter read in plenary on Thursday by Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila.
The President also requested for the review of the 2022 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) upon which the budget was hinged.
“As you are aware Mr. Speaker, the new development both in the global economy as well as the domestic economy has necessitated the revision of the 2022 fiscal framework on which the 2022 budget was based.
“The total budget deficit is projected to increase from N965.42 billion to N7.35 trillion representing 3.99 percent of the GDP.
“The increment of deficit will be financed by new borrowings from the domestic market.
“Given the urgency of the request for revision of the 2022 fiscal framework and 2022 budget amendment, I seek the corporation of the National Assembly for expeditious action on this request,” he said.
The Speaker thereafter, referred the letter to the House Committee on Finance for further legislative action.
