The Senate said it would pass the 2018 Appropriation Bill on December 9. The Senate took the decision yesterday after the Budget passed second reading. It also mandated the Committee on Appropriation to ensure that the report on the budget is ready before that date. Speaking on the passage of the bill, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki said;
“We know that the timetable is very tight. We will be suspending plenary for us to be able to start the defense of this budget. Committee chairmen and members should please ensure that we keep to this timetable.”
“Let me respond with a general note of warning to all heads of MDAs to ensure that they strictly respect the letters of invitation and the timetable. This is not time for excuses for ministers or heads of parastatals to be travelling and not be able to attend their budget defense.
“We do not have the time. This is a very short timeframe, therefore, I expect all MDAs to be able to respect our invitation and be there on time so that the committees can wrap up and be able to present their reports by the time we come back on Tuesday, December 19.” Sen. Saraki also hinted that the public hearing on the budget estimate would commence on December 11, 2017.
“There will be a public hearing on the budget. We are looking at Monday, the 11th of December; however, in the next few days, an announcement will be made,” he said.
