Danjuma Goje, the Chairman of the Appropriation Committee in the Senate has yesterday confirmed that the Upper Legislative Chamber would pass the 2016 national budget on February 25.
The Senate which had suspended plenary to allow the Red Chamber committees put finishing touches to the budgetary documents in which ministries, departments and agencies are being summoned to come forward and defend estimates presented to the house after a week-long debate on the budget ended yesterday.
The Appropriation committee Chairman said; “The Senate has just concluded the debate on the general principles of the 2016 budget and has been referred to Appropriation Committee for necessary action,” further adding that “the committee will send circulars to all other committees which are seen as sub-committees.”
“The committees are expected to commence public hearing on the budget from various departments and agencies immediately. Two weeks from tomorrow (today) will be devoted for budget defence. That is till February 11.”
“The next process will be concluded on February 18 and that will be handled by the Appropriation Committee. We are expected to lay our committee report of the budget on Wednesday, February 24, 2016. The Senate will pass it on Thursday, February 25, 2016.”
“This will give the Federal Government 10-month period to implement the budget. We want a departure from the past where implementation is delayed. This is a government of change and we want to do things differently.”
“Plenary will be suspended for two weeks to allow for committees to meet with the various government agencies,” he said.