Jonathan hands over 2014 budget to Okonjo-Iweala

President Goodluck Jonathan Wednesday secretly signed the 2014 budget into law, source in the Presidency has confirmed this to our correspondent. The source said the president early this morning formally handed over the budget to the Coordinating Minister of Economy and Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, for implementation. The source who pleaded anonymity said Okonjo-Iweala […]

President Goodluck Jonathan Wednesday secretly signed the 2014 budget into law, source in the Presidency has confirmed this to our correspondent.

The source said the president early this morning formally handed over the budget to the Coordinating Minister of Economy and Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, for implementation.

The source who pleaded anonymity said Okonjo-Iweala was away from the country when Jonathan signed the budget on Wednesday.

“I can confirm to you that Mr President signed the 2014 Appropriation Bill into law on Wednesday. The Vice President, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Chief of Staff and other top government officials were present when Mr President signed the budget.

“Mr President would have immediately handed over the budget to the Coordinating Minister for the Economy on Wednesday but she (the minister) was not around.

“But this morning, Mr President formally handed over the signed 2014 budget to the Minister of Finance and the Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Bright Okogu, for implementation. You can confirm further details from the Ministry of Finance”, the source said.

It was learnt that after handing over the budget to the minister, the president headed for Pretoria, South Africa, to participate in high-level talks with other African Heads of State and Government on combating terrorism in Africa.

The talks, which would take place ahead of President Jacob Zuma’s inauguration for a new term in office, would focus on collective action to effectively roll-back the scourge of terrorism in Africa.

Those expected at the talks include the leaders of Ghana, Republic of Congo, Chad, Angola, Rwanda, South Africa, Mauritania, Algeria and Ethiopia.

Jonathan was accompanied by First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Aminu Wali and some key aides.

He is due to return to Abuja tomorrow after attending President Zuma inauguration.