Uncertainty over 2018 budget as Senate yet to release timetable for defence by MDAs

Almost one week after the 2018 budget passed second reading on the floor of the Senate, the upper legislative chamber is yet to release the timetable, detailing when heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government will appear for their defence.

Saraki, had last Tuesday, announced that the Senate will receive the budget report on the Tuesday, 19 of December. The report is expected to be presented by the chairman of its committee on Appropriation, Danjuma Goje.

Saraki had also announced that the budget defence by the various agencies of government will commence today, Monday December 11th. The defence, like in the past, is expected to last for about two weeks.

But as at the time of filing in this report, the Danjuma-led Appropriation committee, was yet to release the timetable for the exercise. It was yet to also announce when the committee will hold a public hearing on the budget, ahead of the defence.

By tomorrow, the committee will have eight days to conclude the exercise on the budget, before the Senate proceeds on its three-week Christmas break.

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The budget which stood at N8,612 trillion, was passed last Tuesday.

Determined to pass the budget, President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, had tasked the committee on Appropriation to ensure that public hearing as scheduled was successful.

Saraki had also advised MDAs to subject themselves to the scrutiny of Senate committees. He added that heads of MDAs who avoid the defence will be sanctioned.

“I want to urge heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies that this is no time for anyone to travel. We must conclude budget defense before the 19th of December, hence, we look forward to see those affected to honour our invitation,” Saraki had said.

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