Following criticism of the Federal Government's plan to spend N16.4 billion on the celebration of Nigeria's 50 years of independence, President Goodluck Jonathan has slashed the event’s budget to N9.5 billion.

The change is reflected in the latest supplementary budget presented to the National Assembly for consideration and passage. In a letter to the National Assembly, the president listed the areas which the cuts affect and said it was a "slight amendment."

In a letter read in the Senate and the House of Representatives Thursday, President Jonathan also sought for amendments in the key parameters, assumptions and indicators upon which the N4.608 trillion 2010 Appropriation Act was based. He now proposes N4.22 trillion for the 2010 budget.

The Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) was to spend N6.396 billion on the 50th Independence Anniversary celebration in the earlier Supplementary budget proposal. It has been reduced to N3.324 billion.

Among the items dropped from the SGF’s earlier budget for the celebration include Publication of Compendium on the legislature and the judiciary at - N200 million; designing, construction and mounting of bronze based tower of unity sculpture – N65.7 million; designing, construction and mounting of symbolic monuments of founding fathers of Nigeria – N80 million, designing, construction and mounting of unity sculpture in 36 states – N540 million; and launch of redesigned N50 note –N10 million.

Other ministries involved in the preparations for the celebration are to receive about the same sum earlier proposed in the first supplementary budget proposal. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is to have N600 million; Information – N1.72 billion; Culture and Tourism – N720 million; and Women Affairs – N105 million.

But some items which were specifically highlighted for capital expenditure towards the anniversary under the earlier supplementary budget proposal now stand purely as capital expenditure items.

These items include N215.5 million to the State House for its Banquet Hall and Defence House No.9 Maitama District, Abuja, N120 million National Sports Commission for National Stadium and velodrome, N120 milion, Federal Capital Territory Administration for replacement of carpet at International Conference Centre in Abuja, N97 million to Federal Ministry of Aviation for Abuja Airport renovation and provision of additional parking, and equipment for safe aircraft parking at five airports, B2.25 billion.