The Senate on Tuesday, April 12 stated that it would not revisit the 2016 budget it had earlier passed and transmitted to President Muhammdu Buhari for assent. It further urged the President to sign the document as transmitted to him and send a supplementary budget on projects he wants included in the 2016 budget.
The Senate spokesperson, Sabi Abdullahi, while addressing journalists after a closed door rowdy session, said the Senate is mindful of the cry of Nigerians due to the increasing economic hardship.
“The Senate resolved at the close session that we have completed work on the 2016 budget and would not go back on what had been passed.
“We went into an executive session, which is the normal practice to welcome one another and discuss the burning issues on the ground, in this case, the issue of the 2016 budget and the smooth working of the Senate and the National Assembly.
“The constitution has taken note of this kind of scenario where you may have omissions or shortfalls of allocations and the constitution is very clear on what you need to do, which is to sign the budget and then submit a supplementary appropriation.
“I want to assure you that the Senate is not unmindful of the cries of Nigerians that we said, for example, that the Calabar-Lagos rail project was not in the budget does not in any way, undermine the fact that it is a very important project for this nation to embark on.
“So, the National Assembly, the Senate, is open. If the executive brings a supplementary appropriation with respect to this and any other issue that its feels very strongly about, we are ready and willing to consider such but the most important point to note is that we want to remain guided by the provisions of the constitution, “Abdullahi added.
The Senate Spokesman further said that if Buhari does not sign the budget appropriate actions will be taken by the Upper Chamber.
Source
The BriefNG
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