President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja on Thursday sent a fresh request for the amendment of the 2013 budget to the House of Representatives for consideration.
On June 25, the House of Representatives had unanimously rejected an amendment proposal sent to it by Jonathan on March 14.
This request is contained in letter read by the Speaker, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, on the floor of the house.
The letter dated June 26, reads: “We all appreciate the fact that unemployment is one of our major concerns in this country today.
“Considering the gravity of the situation, I would like to bring up the issue of the budgetary allocation to the Community Services, Women and Youth Employment Programme under the SURE-P.
“Against our proposal of N27 billion, the National Assembly allocated N9 billion.
“This cut will have adverse effect of severely undermining our capacity to create the jobs needed for our teeming unemployed youths, women and physically-challenged citizens.
In this regard, I crave your cooperation to restore the SURE-P budget; a copy of its amendment proposal is attached herewith.
“You will further recall that the personnel cost is cut across all MDAs which will make it difficult to meet government’s obligations to its workers,’’ Jonathan said.
He said, “I, therefore, seek your kind understating for the restoration of the said cuts in order to maintain industrial harmony.’’
He expressed the hope that the House of Representatives would consider and pass the 2013 amendment budget proposal expeditiously.
The amendment being sought indicated a further cut of over N57 billion capital allocations on power, works, transport and education ministries in the budget as passed into law in December 2012.
