…Says Rounding Up Budget Before its Legally Stipulated Date is Not Acceptable
By Chibuike Nwabuko
Abuja (Sundiata Post) – Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, on Wednesday warned that the 2017 budget must run its full course of 12 months in-line with the 2017 Appropriation Act passed by the National Assembly.
Saraki gave the warning shortly after the Point of Order raised by Senator Atai Aidoko, who stated that a circular was released to MDA’s on the rounding up of the 2017 budget by 31st March, 2018.
In his comments, the Senate President said: “The budget runs for 12 months and it goes through May. Chairman of Appropriations is here. Chairmen of Finance, both of you are here, hence, you will need to communicate to the Minister of Finance and all agencies that the budget was passed to run 12 months, and it must run for 12 months.”
The Senate President also stated that rounding up the budget before its legally stipulated date was not acceptable, as it had to be included in an appropriation act which needed to be compiled and sent to the National Assembly.