Senate may pass 2017 budget next week

Despite delays necessitated by the alleged missing of the 2017 budget document, the National Assembly may conclude work on it and forward to President Muhammadu Buhari for assent, Senate leader Ahmed Lawan said on Thursday.

He also disclosed that next week senate may commence screening of ministerial nominees and the 27 Resident Electoral Commissioners.

Speaking to journalists at the Aso Rock after meeting with the President, Lawan insisted that the delays in the passage of the 2017 appropriation was due to the loss of parts of the document during a raid on the residence of the Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation, Danjuma Goje.

Last Friday, the police raided Goje’s residence and carted away some monies and documents. Goje, had accused the police of taking away the 2017 budget document after the raid.
The Police who said they acted on a tip-off have since replied that they recovered a stash of stolen monies and incriminating items and none of them was the budget.
However, Lawan insisted that the raid and trauma it caused the appropriation committee chairman were majorly responsible for the delay.

“The National Assembly had intended to pass the budget in March but because of some parameters that we didn’t have control over, we couldn’t pass it. It was our design and desire to pass it within this month, April, but somehow, something happened. One of our colleagues, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation, Distinguished Senator Danjuma Goje’s house was raided by the police after a whistleblower gave information and when parts of those documents were taken away, it was reported that parts of the budget papers were included. This and
other things that happened and essentially, the trauma that the Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation had to go through, affected the process of budgeting.

“When we were going on Easter recess, members of the Senate Committee on Appropriation, including that of the House, did not go on recess. They stayed back because that was the arrangement, so that by the time we returned on April 25, that was Tuesday, they should lay the report of the budget. Unfortunately, that wasn’t possible because of what happened.

“But the good news is that we are doing everything possible to ensure that we catch up with the lost time. So, by the grace of God, I’m thinking that by next week, we should be able to finish our own work and pass the budget for Mr. president to sign” he said.

Lawan who said he had come to meet with the President as part of engagements on matters state added that next week the senate may consider the screening or ministerial nominees and Resident Electoral Commissioner. “l have the feeling that the Senate may be looking at that and indeed others, by next week insha Allah” he said.

 

Elizabeth Archibong