By Mercy Aikoye
The House of Representatives on Wednesday, urged the Federal Government to urgently transmit the Medium Term Expenditure Framework to the National Assembly to avail lawmakers ample time to work on the 2025 Appropriation Bill (when submitted).
This is as the lawmakers, drawn across party affiliations, expressed displeasure at the practice of delayed presentation of annual budget proposals to the parliament, leaving the lawmakers with little time to do a good job.
The resolution of the House followed the adoption on of a motion of urgent public importance, moved by the member representing Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency, of Akwa Ibom State, Hon. Clement Jimbo.
Jimbo while rallying support for the motion on “Need to urge the executive to comply with Section 11 (I) of the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007, stated that the law provides for the prudent management of the nation’s resources, and “Ensures long term macro-economic stability of the national economy.”
The lawmaker stated that Section 11(1)(b) stipulates that “The Federal Government must, not later than four months before the commencement of the next financial year, cause to be prepared and laid before the National Assembly an MTEF for the next three financial years.”
According to him, the time the National Assembly requires to exercise its functions as enshrined in section 88(2)(b) “Is technically being taken away by the non-compliance of section 11(1)(b) of FRA 2007 by the executive.”
In his contribution, Billy Osawaru (APC, Edo State) said the timely late arrival of annual budget proposals “Is one of the ways Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Government shortchange Nigerians.
Also contributing, Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda expressed support for the motion, noting that unless budget estimates arrives the parliament on time; it would be difficult for legislators to scrutinise it in the interest of Nigerians.
He said, “This government prides itself on the adherence to the January-December budget cycle. It is a good development. “In the 2023 budget, we were practically rushed into completing work on the estimates just to meet up with the January – December cycle.
On his part, the member representing Abua/Ahoada East Federal Constituency, Rivers State, Bob Solomon commended the mover of the motion and urged his colleagues to support it.
Following the adoption of the motion, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas who presided over plenary, urged the Federal Government to comply with section 11(1)(b) and submit to the National Assembly 2025 Budget proposal without further delays.
It further mandated the Committees on National Planning and Economic Development, Appropriation and Finance to ensure compliance within two weeks.
