Senate threatens to suspend passage of 2018 budget

Senators yesterday threatened to suspend passage of the 2018 budget estimates following the failure of the presidency to keep its promise to implement, at least, 40 percent of the 2017 capital budget and roll over the remaining 60 percent to 2018. 

The senate also accused the economic team of unseriousness, and said the ministries, departments and agencies appeared unprepared with verifiable documents to defend their 2018 proposals. The lawmakers want the 2017 budget implementation to be extended to March 31 to allow the capital projects to be executed so that the 2018 budget will commence from April 1. 

The threat followed points of order (42 and 45) moved by the Deputy Leader, Bala Ibn Na’Allah who pointed out that the chamber would fall into trouble waters should it move ahead to pass the budget this year as earlier planned. He said the senate made the plan without knowing the constraints embedded in the 2018 budget proposal as presented. 

“By today, we would have passed the budget or given a tentative date on which we can pass it. From what I have seen, I know we will fall into trouble waters because, for whatever reason, we have not appreciated what the situation is. With the reports we have received so far, we have the 2017 budget which we can say has not been executed as of today and we are considering the 2018 budget.” Senate President Bukola Saraki lamented the failure to achieve 40 percent implementation of the budget. 

“This makes it very difficult for us, we cannot turn into magicians.” Also yesterday, a member of the finance committee, Yusuf Abubakar Yusuf, alleged leakages in NNPC and other revenue generating agencies, blaming the situation for poor budget funding. But the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, who was at the committee for 2018 budget defence said they had started scrutinize and drawing up tighter measures to block revenue leakages. 

She added that unnecessary budgetary line items were being removed. Chairman of the committee, John Owan Enoh asked Adeosun why the budget performance of her ministry rose to 64 per cent when the trend they observed is low budget performance.


Guardian