Nigeria Senate disclosed on Wednesday that only governorship officials directly involved in budget preparation would be allowed to accompany President Muhammadu Buhari to the National Assembly to present the 2021 budget proposal to the joint session of the National Assembly.

The President is expected to present the 2021 national budget estimates to the joint session of the federal parliament on Thursday.

The President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, told his colleagues at the commencement of plenary that the joint session which would take place in the chamber of the House of Representatives, would be done in strict compliance with the Covid-19 protocol.

“This time around because of the situation of COVID-19 pandemic, we have made arrangements to observe social distancing in the chamber,” Lawan said.

He urged Senators to ensure they wear their face masks pointing out that “We also have to wear our face masks mandatorily. We are going to also abridge the entire event because we will be many there.”

On the duration of the Budget presentation session, the Senate President said:

“So the entire event will last for just about an hour. From the entry of the President into the chamber and addresses and the presentation and laying will be just an hour event”

“This is done so that we would be able to comply with the requirements of the COvID-19 protocol.

“Mr. President this time around will not be accompanied by many people on the entourage.

“Only a few people – very key and relevant to the budget – will accompany Mr. President into the chamber.” He stressed.

” I think by the arrangement those of them that have little to do with the budget will join virtually what will happen,” Lawan explained.