Despite the fact that President Goodluck Jonathan is yet to present the 2014 Budget to the National Assembly, barely two months to the end of the year, the Senate has assured Nigerians that it would do everything possible to ensure early passage.
President Goodluck Jonathan was initially billed to present the 2014 budget to the Joint Session of the National Assembly on Tuesday but it will now come up on November 19, 2013.
In a letter to Speaker Aminu Tambuwal, the President had stated: “Sequel to my letter of 23rd October 2013 requesting that the Honourable House grants me the slot of 12:00 noon on Tuesday, 12th November 2013 to enable me formally address a Joint Session of the National Assembly on the 2014 Budget, emergent circumstances have necessitated my having to request for a new date of Tuesday, 19th November 2013, at the same time.
“It is my hope that the Honourable Members will in your usual tradition, favourably consider my request.
“While thanking you for the constancy of your support please accept, Honourable Speaker, the assurances of my highest consideration.”
The President could not go ahead with the budget presentation because the Senate has not passed the Medium Term framework while the House has not reviewed it at all.
Asked if the budget could still be passed this year, Senate spokesman, Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe (Abia), said: “Anyway, we are going to do everything to see that the budget is passed on time but it’s not about the timing but implementation of the budget.
“The emphasis must be on implementation so that Nigerians can be sure of getting value of governance.”
Follow The Eagle Online Channel on WhatsApp
