FULL SPEECH OF PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI AT THE 2019 BUDGET PRESENTATION.

December 19, 2018

This is my last Budget Speech to the 8th National Assembly.

"Today, we will review economic development over the last three-and-a-half
years with emphasis on 2018. We will also highlight the budget for 2019.

"The last three-and-a-half years have been challenging both home and
abroad. Both oil and non-oil markets have been volatile. There have been
disruptions in oil production in the country.

However, we have cause to be optimistic about the future. The economy has
recovered from recession. We have done more work with less resources in
Agriculture, Social Development and Infrastructure.

We have intervened several times to support states in the payment of
salaries. The Federal Government has also sustained its efforts to curb
corruption through the comprehensive cooperation of the single treasury
account.

We have also made efforts to end the insurgencies in affected areas of the
country. We thank the Armed Forces and Security Agencies for their efforts
and sacrifices in protecting the nation.

We have also made many efforts to enhance transparency and accountability
in public service delivery. Inflation has declined from 18.2% in January to
11.28% in November. Foreign Capital Influence has also improved.

Trading is a significant contributor to our country's economy. But we must
strengthen other areas such as Information Technology and Entertainment;
all hands must be on deck to ensure the country succeeds.

In Agriculture, we are seeing increased investments in all areas of the
sector. Indeed, we are on course to achieve good security in the nearest
future.

We also prioritized the completion of already ongoing projects as opposed
to starting new ones.

We have included the implementation for the National Minimum Wage. I will
be sending a Bill to this National Assembly, on this.

To further support SME's, we have set aside N15 billion, while the sum of
N10 billion has been granted to BOI for this purpose.

We can all commit to the early passage of this Bill.

I thank you most sincerely for your attention. God bless the Federal
Republic of Nigeria.

~ Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR)

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