Abuja, Dec. 5, 3035 – Godswill Akpabio, the Senate President, has advised heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDA) to keep to strictly to the schedule for the defence of their budgets at the National Assembly.
He said any ministry or agency that fail to comply with the schedule would face dire consequences.
Akpabio gave the warning in Abuja on Tuesday during a one-retreat on the 2024 budget organised by the Senate Committee on Appropriation.
“I will specifically commend all relevant state and non-state actors for their interests and sacrifices in ensuring that these participatory processes of public engagements, which are geared towards a better outcome of our law-making are smoothly executed.
“There is no doubt that various stakeholders would want their opinions heard by those in power. Indeed, this is a key element in democracy, especially when it concerns a vital issue like the national budget of a nation dealing with the allocation of national resources.
“The proper use of the national budget is critical to the economic development of any country, and it is even more so for a nation like ours, where our economy needs urgent stimulation to address myriad challenges.
“We understand that the budget is about fiscal targets, resource allocation, public expenditure policy, productivity, and efficiency.
“We also understand that the process is one of passage, mobilization, and execution, as well as effective monitoring and evaluation.
“However, let me state clearly that the National Assembly will not tolerate a lackadaisical attitude from the government, functionaries in all MDAs about issues surrounding their defences of submissions, and our resolve to maintain the January-December budget cycle.
“The consequences may not be palatable for the official or the agency in the eventual passage of the 2024 Appropriation Bill.
As the invited stakeholders and the Committee settle down to this meeting, I urge you all to be open-minded, honest, and factual in your deliberations.
“We have to understand that we have a common goal, which is to drastically improve the socio-economic condition of our people in the shortest period with the budget of Renewed Hope.” (GBN)
