1 month ago
9 ARTICLE AD
The House of Representatives on Wednesday urged the Federal Government to urgently transmit the Medium Term Expenditure Framework to the National Assembly
This, it said, would avail the lawmakers ample time to work on the 2025 Appropriation Bill (when submitted).
This is as the lawmakers, drawn across party affiliations, expressed displeasure at the practice of delayed presentation of annual budget proposals to the parliament, leaving the lawmakers with little time to do a good job.
The resolution of the House followed the adoption on of a motion of urgent public importance moved by the member representing Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Clement Jimbo.
Jimbo while rallying support for the motion on “Need to urge the executive to comply with Section 11 (I) of the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007,” stated that the law provided for the “prudent management of the nation’s resources, and ensures long term macro-economic stability of the national economy.”
According to him, the time the National Assembly requires to exercise its functions as enshrined in Ssection 88(2)(b) “is technically being taken away by the non-compliance of section 11(1)(b) of FRA 2007 by the executive.”
In his contribution, Billy Osawaru (APC, Edo State) said the late arrival of annual budget proposals is one of the ways Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government shortchange Nigerians.
Also contributing, Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda, expressed support for the motion, noting that unless budget estimates arrived the parliament on time; it would be difficult for legislators to scrutinise it in the interest of Nigerians.
On his part, the member representing Abua/Ahoada East Federal Constituency, Rivers State, Bob Solomon, commended the mover of the motion and urged his colleagues to support it.
Following the adoption of the motion, the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, who presided over the plenary session, urged the Federal Government to comply with Section 11(1)(b) and submit to the National Assembly 2025 budget proposal without further delays.
