President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday forwarded a N249, 544, 27 billion Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) budget proposal for the 2011 fiscal year to the National Assembly for approval.
The President also asked the Senate to approve the sack of Alhaji Muhammed Ari Gwaska as Commissioner of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), for gross misconduct.
The 2011 NDDC budget, estimates an expenditure and income of 4.64 percent increase, when compared to 2010; was contained in a letter to the Senate read by Senate President, David Mark.
The letter read in part, “The Commission has submitted a budget proposal of N249, 544.27 billion only for 2011 as against the sum of N240.58 billion approved in 2010. This represents an increase of 4.64 percent over last year’s budget.
“Furthermore, the proposed budget is made up of personnel expenditure of N9,485, 69 billion, recurrent expenditure of N07, 037, 21 billion, capital expenditure of N877, 09 million and projects (development) expenditure of N232, 144, 28 billion.”
Meanwhile, Jonathan in another letter urged the Senate to approve the sacking of Alhaji Gwaska who represents Nasarawa State at the FCC for gross misconduct.
This, according to the letter, is “By virtue of the provision of section 157 (1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.