2016 Budget: Buhari Orders Reduction in Recurrent Expenditure

President Muhammadu Buhari Monday in Abuja ordered the National Planning Commission (NPC) to go back to the drawing board and produce the framework for a 2016 national budget that will reduce recurrent expenditure and prioritize developmental projects.

A statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity, Mr Garba Shehu, said Buhari gave the order after receiving a briefing from the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Bassey Akpanyung at the Presidential Villa.

The statement said: ‎"The president told Akpanyung and Directors of the NPC that capital projects must now be given the fullest possible priority because Nigeria could not achieve real development without adequate investment in capital and infrastructural projects.

“In carrying out its role in surveillance of the economy, review and appraisal of policies, the commission should devise a plan for a realignment of the budget so that capital projects can be really prioritized."

The Executive Secretary of the NPC had informed the president that Nigeria’s planning system was beset by many challenges.