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Lawmakers Postpone President Jonathan’s Budget Presentation Plans

By on September 28, 2012

President Jonathan submitting 2012 budget proposal to National Assembly

The members of the House of Representatives have communicated their inability to host the President next week, following plans by the executive to present the 2013 budget proposal to a joint sitting of the National Assembly on October 4th.

 

Aminu Tambuwal, Speaker of the House of Representatives had on Tuesday read a letter from President Jonathan handing over his intent to present the 2013 budget at a joint session on October 4.

 

The lawmakers however, denied the request stating that it was unworkable for them to chew over the approval of the presentation of the 2013 budget whereas the 2012 budget implementation progress wa yet to be ascertained.

 

The House maintained that it would not finish the inspection of the 2013 to 2015 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy (MTEFF) paper and engage appropriate government agencies troubled with the paper prior to the stated time.

 

House spokesman, Hon. Zakari Mohammed stated that the House has also cancelled plenary for next week in order to accomplish omissions on physical inspection of infrastructural projects all over the country.

 

The postponement of the Presidential plan was championed by the Chairman, House Committee on Finance,  Abdulmumin Jibrin (PDP, Kano), who also the  Chairman of the Joint Committee  responsible for checking the paper yesterday.

 

According to Abdulmumin Jubrin , the initial procedure of thorough inspection of the document has commenced, “Knowing the implication and importance of the document to the presentation of the budget by Mr. President, it is practically impossible to engage all the relevant government agencies involved with the document”.

 

“We have to invite agencies like the Ministry of Finance, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) and several others.”

 

Jibrin reiterated the inadequate time before the Presidential presentation; additional time would be required by the Committee to be able to do a detailed job on the manuscript.

 

The Speaker of the house asked the Committee to carry on with its effort on the basis that the passage of the MTEF must be done before the president presents his budget.

 

At a weekly media interaction, the speaker said that the significance of the oversight function cannot be overstated, that the decision was not meant to taunt the executive but due process.

 

“The question of Mr. President coming to present the budget on 4th is ruled out because by next week we are not going to be available. In addition, the MTEF must definitely be looked into first, by law and convention before the budget for the incoming year is considered.

 

“These are issues of law; it is not about the House trying to flex muscles. Maybe later, a letter of convenient day would be fixed for Mr. President to come and present the budget.

 

“We are considering an aspect of the 2012 budget and not yet completed, yet another one is coming. 4th October is just not realistic, we are going on the oversight and be back on 9th,” he said.