Security has been beefed up in and around the National Assembly complex ahead of President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit to present the 2019 Appropriation Bill.
It can be recalled that the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) has embarked on four-day warning strike with protest and blockade of all access gates to the National Assembly complex. The development is being envisaged to have an effect on the presentation of the bill on the floor of the Senate.
Meanwhile, security personnel was deployed at the complex to ensure hitch-free presentation. Buhari is billed to present the federal budget proposal before a joint session of the Assembly at 11 am.
It was observed that combined teams of security agencies comprising Police, DSS and NSCDC have been deployed at the main gate overlooking the Federal Secretariat, the entrance through the SGF office on Aso drive and the back gate connecting with the presidential villa.
As part of the security measures emplaced at the scene is that entry into the complex has been limited to accreditation lists submitted by different units in the National Assembly. Only those whose names are on the lists are allowed in after being thoroughly screened by the security operatives.
Additionally, vehicular movement into the complex has also been restricted to lawmakers and principal management staff of the Assembly.
The budget presentation is coming on the third day of a four-day warning strike by the National Assembly workers under the aegis of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigerian(PASAN).
