BY OBUTE JAMES
The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday adjourned plenary 2nd April, 2019 to enable its standing committees to work on the 2019 Budget Proposal.
President Muhammadu Buhari had on 19th December, 2018 presented the 2019 N8.83 trillion budget proposal to the joint session of the National Assembly comprising the Senate and House of Representatives.
The Senate referred the 2019 Appropriation Bill to its various standing committees after concluding debate on the general principles.
The heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) are expected to appear before the committees to defend their budget proposals within the two-week period.
Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki enjoined the MDAs to promptly respond to committees’ invitations for the budget defence to enable the senate expedite action on the bill.
However, he advised the committees not to bother going after MDAs to appear for budget defence.
“If they do not appear before the given time, adopt what was submitted by the President and submit your report. That is what you should do,” he said.
He tasked the the committee on appropriations to submit its report on April 2, so that the Senate can pass the budget.