1. It is with pleasure
that I present the 2021 Federal Budget Proposals to this Joint Session of the
National Assembly.
2. Distinguished and
Honourable Leaders, and Members of the National Assembly, at this juncture, I
wish to commend your tremendous efforts in approving the revision of the 2020 –
2022 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper, and passage
of the 2020 Appropriation (Repeal and Amendment) Act, in response to the
Coronavirus Pandemic.
3. Today marks an
important occasion in our quest to accord the federal budget process the
seriousness it deserves. In line with our commitment, we have worked extra hard
to ensure early submission of the 2021 –2023 Medium-term Expenditure Framework
and Fiscal Strategy Paper, as well as the 2021 Appropriation Bill. It is my
sincere hope that the National Assembly will pass this Bill into law early
enough to enable implementation by 1st January 2021, given the collaborative
manner in which the budget was prepared.
4. In the course of this
address, I will present the highlights of our budget proposals for the next
fiscal year. The Honourable Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning
will, later, provide the full details of these proposals.