More money for Mr.  President as the House of Representatives increased the N180 billion virement sought for by President Muhammadu Buhari to fund critical recurrent and capital items by N28 billion, taking it to N208.821 billion.

The report of the House Committee on Appropriation was presented to the House on Wednesday by its Chairman, Rep. Mustapha Dawaki (APC- Kano). In the report was the request for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (foreign missions), increased from N14billion to N16.34 billion.

Also, increased was the request for statutory transfer (Public Complaints Commission), which had been increased from N1.2 billion to N2.5 billion. All other items were retained as requested. While presenting the report to be debated and approved on Thursday, Dawaki disclosed that the committee, on Nov. 17 and Nov. 21, met with the relevant stakeholders and brainstormed on the proposal.

He said it was established that the affected MDAs justified the need for intervention and approval of the virement for their respective agencies.

“The committee observes that there are other areas of critical needs with potential for development and stimulating the economy and for which additional funds could be provided through virement from the Special Intervention Programme”