Lawmakers in Nigeria’s upper legislative chamber have placed an embargo on foreign medical trips for President Muhammadu Buhari and other top government officials.
The Senate Committee on Federal Character and Intergovernmental Affairs made its position known when the State House Permanent Secretary, Tijani Umar appeared before it to defend the budget for the State House.
Information has it that a total of N19.7 billion was budgeted for the State House, out of which, N1.3 billion was earmarked for the State House Clinic alone.
The figures prompted the lawmakers to place an embargo on future medical trips for the President.
Other people affected by the ban include top government officials. The lawmakers insist that the development will mean that the clinic becomes more functional.
Danjuma La’ah, Chairman of the Senate Committee said that the the State House Clinic budget will be approved on the premise that the affected top officials will be treated locally.
Tijani Umar, State House Permanent Secretary told newsmen after the budget defence that the lawmakers’ recommendation would be addressed once the budget is approved.
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