By Christiana Ekpa and Umar Muhammad Puma Abuja
Senate yesterday postponed the 2018 budget consideration to Tuesday Nov. 28 and Wednesday Nov. 29.
It could be recalled that the Upper Legislative Chamber had earlier fixed, Wednesday Nov. 22 for the debate on the budget.
Presiding over Tuesday’s plenary, the President of the Senate Bukola Saraki said the reason for the postponement was because they had to pass the Medium term Expenditure Framework (MTEF).
“We are hoping that the MTEF will be laid by tomorrow (Wednesday) and to be passed this week.
“Secondly, the distribution of documents; I hope you have all received documents accompanying the 2018 Budget, the revenue and expenditure budgets of the Federal Government of Nigeria bond, enterprise and agencies.
“The consolidated 2016 budget implementation report for 1st quarter 2017, and 2nd quarter 2017 and also budget volume I and II should be received today and the joint sitting, votes and proceedings also should be received today.
“This is a departure from the pass. We intend next week Tuesday and Wednesday and Thursday to debate the budget. We want to allocate Tuesday and Wednesday to debate on the budget and specifically allocate Thursday for the debate on revenue and expenditure budget of Federal Government of Nigeria bond and enterprise and agencies.”
The session would involve starting the debate for the second reading of the bill.
The laying of the budget proposal by President Muhammadu Buhari on Nov. 7, was the first reading of the bill.
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