President Muhammadu Buhari has sought the approval of the National Assembly to borrow another $4 billion ($4,054,476,863) and €710 million loans from bilateral and multilateral organisations to fund the deficit in the 2021 budget.
In a letter to the Senate on Tuesday which was read out by the Senate President Ahmed Lawan at the plenary, it revealed that the loan request is an addendum to the 2018-2020 borrowing plan.
He also asked the lawmakers to approve grant components of $125 million and explained that the need to borrow more funds is to meet the “emerging needs” of some “critical projects” as well as stimulate the economy and create job employment.
“I write on the above subject and submit the attached addendum to the proposed 2018-2020 external rolling borrowing plan for the consideration and concurrent approval of the senate for the same to become effective.
“The distinguished senate president may recall that u submitted a request on 2018-2020 borrowing plan for the approval of the senate in May 2021.
“However, in view of other emerging needs and to ensure that all critical projects approved by FEC as of June 2021 are incorporated, I hereby forward an addendum to the proposed borrowing plan.
“The projects listed in the external borrowing plan are to be financed through sovereign loans from the World Bank, French Development Agency, EXIM Bank and IFAD in the total sum of $4,054,476,863 and €710 million and grant components of $125 million,” part of the letter read.
The loan request comes barely two months after the National Assembly approved his earlier request to borrow $8.3 billion and €490 million loans contained in the initial 2018-2020 borrowing plan.
The lawmakers had said the needed funds were meant for projects geared towards the realisation of the Nigerian Economic Sustainability Plan that cut across key sectors such as infrastructure, health, agriculture and food security, energy, COVID-19, among others.
Source: Goldmynetv
