Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja

The Presidency has reacted to inquiries on why President Muhammadu Buhari is yet to sign the 2018 Appropriation Bill into law.

The National Assembly had, on Friday night, transmitted the harmonised 2018 Budget to President Buhari for assent.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Sen. Ita Enang, confirmed this to State House Correspondents, on Friday.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, on Monday night, while reacting to enquires said,  “You are asking me when the budget will be signed.

“This document was handed to Sen. Enang, the SSA National Assembly, after the close of office, on Friday, six-and-a-half months after it was handed to the parliament, precisely November 7th, 2017.

“The bill as passed by the National Assembly was received here on Saturday because the office of the Chief of Staff operates at weekends.”

Both chambers of the Assembly had on May 16, 2018 approved the budget estimates submitted by Buhari on November 7, 2017.

The lawmakers also raised the total figure from N8.6 trillion to N9.1 trillion, six months after it was presented.