‘We Are Ready To Forward The 2017 Budget To The National Assembly’ – Presidency

In other not to repeat its current mistakes in the delayed passage of the 2016 budget, the presidency has disclosed that all is now set for next year’s appropriation bill to be forwarded to the National Assembly for deliberation.

This was according to a top source in the Ministry of Budget and National Planning who noted that the President is upset with the delay in the budget and is eager to sign the 2016 budget once it has been well scrutinized by the appropriation committee.

The Source, while speaking to Guardian in Abuja, said that the President is pleased with the lawmakers’ acceptance of responsibility and assured that the 2017 budget would turn out differently.

“We are happy that the National Assembly has accepted responsibility and offered to take a look at the grey areas of the 2016 budget. Mr. President is particularly pleased with this position.

Best prices of phones, accessories & gadgets on PricePadi.com
“We are not in anyway pleased that the budget has not been passed up till now. This was not our making at all. In fact, as we speak, we have begun detailed work on the 2017 appropriation document to make it ready to be forwarded to the National Assembly. But we can’t do that just yet because the 2016 budget is being awaited. Final work is currently ongoing before it is brought to the president for assent,” the presidency source said.

The source also dismissed reports on alleged strains in the relationship between NASS and the presidency, saying their relationship is cordial.

“The presidency and NASS are in constant touch. We have a very cordial relationship. I believe what happened was that the press did so much speculation and got the lawmakers to be responding to media reports. We have an understanding and we are confident that the two arms of the legislature would fully harmonise and come up with the 2016 budget that the executive can defend,” the source said.

Subscribe to Our Posts via Email