President Muhammadu Buhari has assured that insecurity, especially banditry and kidnapping, will be significantly curtailed before the end of his Administration.
He said that the defence and internal security will continue to be accorded top priority in 2023.
Buhari disclosed this today 7th October 2022, while presenting before the two chambers of the National Assembly, a record N20.51 trillion proposed budget for the 2023 financial year.
The N20.51 trillion budget which is the highest so far in the nation’s history, is the last to be presented by the president before his tenure elapses.
Buhari while addressing members of the parliament noted current efforts to properly equip and motivate our valiant personnel in the armed forces, police and paramilitary units will be sustained.
He said the Government remains firmly committed to the security of life, property and investment across the country.
"I assure you, insecurity, especially banditry and kidnapping, will be significantly curtailed before the end of this Administration.
"We will redouble our efforts to ensure we leave a legacy of a peaceful, prosperous and secured nation.
" Mr. Senate President, Mr. Speaker, Distinguished and Honourable Members of the National Assembly, let me conclude my address today by again expressing my deep appreciation for your enormous support, patriotic zeal, and cooperation in our efforts to accelerate the socio-economic development of our country and improve the lives of our peope.
The President also appreciated the efforts and commitment of the leadership and staff of the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, especially the Budget Office of the Federation, who have worked hard to achieve early submission of the 2023 Appropriation Bill.
He noted that the 2023 budget proposal is a product of inter-agency collaboration, extensive stakeholder consultations and productive engagements.
"I would therefore like to acknowledge the efforts of the media, the organized private sector, civil society organizations and our development partners for their contributions in the process of preparing the Budget.
"Considering the challenging situation in our country presently, we must continue to cooperate and collaborate to ensure fiscal sustainability, macroeconomic stability and smooth transition to the incoming Administration.
President Buhari assures that, his Administration remains resolutely committed to our goals of improving the living standard of our people and effective delivery of public services.
"Distinguished and honourable members of the National Assembly, although no single government can solve all the problems of a country during its own tenure, I have no doubt that you share our aspiration that the 2023 transition budget is designed to address critical issues and lay a solid foundation for the incoming Administration.
It is with great pleasure therefore, that I lay before this distinguished Joint Session of the National Assembly, the 2023 Budget Proposals of the Federal Government of Nigeria.