By Inalegwu Shaibu

ABUJA – There was a heavy security cordon at the The National Assembly complex  yesterday to herald   the   visit of President Goodluck Jonathan   to present the 2012 budget proposal to a joint sitting of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

As early as 5:30 am,  the National Assembly complex had been ringed by security men some in uniform and others in mufti. The detachments of army officers, regular and mobile police officers mounted on armoured personnel carriers and joined the National Assembly in-house security outfit, Sergeant-at Arms were stationed from the Eagle square which was about one kilometre and half to the complex to ensure a hitch free presentation by the President.

The security arrangements also stretched as far   as the Asokoro area of Abuja. Roads along the Asokoro area especially the one through the Police Headquarters was blocked by a police van. There was also a blockade at the head of service forcing commuters plying the road to drive against traffic before passing through.

The unusual high security presence was the first of its kind in the series of Presidential visits to National Assembly to present yearly budgetary estimates.

Although  the security was  not surprising given the precarious security situation in Abuja following     many bomb attacks by the Boko Haram sect, residents and commuters coming into Abuja metropolis yesterday hard a bit of a tough time going to their various destinations.

For workers and visitors coming into the National Assembly, the venue of the President’s visit, it was a lot harder for them to gain access into the complex as they were searched right from the first main entrance of the National Assembly.