- Begin debate on 2019 appropriation bill
Deji Elumoye in Abuja
The Senate Wednesday commenced the debate of the N8.83 trillion 2019 Appropriation Bill with senators frowning upon the rising debt profile of the nation.
Nigeria’s rising annual debt profile took the front burner at plenary with the senators calling for caution on the part of the executive so as not to return the country to an highly indebted one it was before the 2005 debt relief granted it by the Paris Club.
Complaints over the rising debt profile came up during the debate on general principles of the N8.83 trillion 2019 budget.
First to raise the alarm was the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu (PDP Enugu West), who spoke after the Senate Leader, Senator Ahmed Lawan (APC Yobe North), had given the lead debate on the budget estimates for passage for second reading.
Ekweremadu had said though the budget proposals need to be given…