Buhari slashes 2015 independence anniversary cost

The Federal Government is to
expend N70 million for the
55th Independence anniversary
celebrations slated to
commence on September 25, in
line with its cost-saving policy.
The Secretary to the
Government of the Federation
(SGF), Babachir Lawal, made
this known to newsmen at a
briefing ion Tuesday in Abuja.
The SGF, represented by the
Permanent Secretary (Political
Affairs), Ibukun Odusote, said
the government was cutting
cost because of the present state
of the country’s economy.
This year’s celebration is
indeed low-keyed because the
present administration
appreciates the economic
hardship that Nigerians and
indeed the nation is confronted
with.
“To address the situation,
government has adopted a
general policy to be very
prudent in the management of
our financial resources.
“This year’s celebration is,
therefore, in consonance with
the cost-saving policy of this
administration,” he said.
The SGF said it took a while to
get President Muhammadu
Buhari to approve the amount
for the entire anniversary
programme.
He stressed that the Federal
Government would rather
spend more money on ensuring
payment of workers’ salaries,
better learning business
environment than on
anniversary celebrations.
The SGF, however, said that the
president had approved four
events for the anniversary
which include the Jummat
prayers, slated to hold at the
Abuja National Mosque on September 25
and the Inter-denominational Thanksgiving
Service holding at the Abuja National
Christian Worship Centre on September 27.
Other events are the ceremonial Change of
Guards slated for October 1 at the
Presidential Villa and children’s party on
October 3.
He said that the children’s party, which
would hold at the Presidential Villa, would
be attended by children within the ages of
five to 13, including some children from
Internally Displaced Camps.
Besides the approved four events, Mr.
Buhari would address the nation at 7am on
October 1, the SGF said.
According to him, four sub-committees
have been constituted to handle
preparations for each event, to ensure a
successful commemoration.
(NAN)