The House of Representatives has asked the Federal Government to urgently transmit the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF).
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance titled: “Ensures long term macro-economic stability of the national economy” by Reps member Clement Jimbo.
Leading the debate on the motion, Jimbo said that the MTEF if quickly submitted to the National Assembly will give members enough time to work on the 2025 Appropriation Bill.
Jimbo stated that Section 11(1)(b) stipulates that the Federal Government must submit MTEF not later than four months before the commencement of the next financial year, and lay it before the National Assembly.
He further hinted that section 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution as well as section 30(1) of FRA 2007, specifically, section 88(1) give both Chambers of the National Assembly the power to investigate any arm or agency of Government that fails to comply with the law enacted by the National Assembly in disbursing and administering monies appropriated or to be appropriated by the National Assembly.
The House, worried by time wasted by arms of Government and agencies for non-compliance, urged the executive to comply with section 11(1)(b) and submit to the National Assembly 2025 Budget proposal without further delays to enable the House carry out it functions as enshrined in section 88(2)(b).
He expressed worry that Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution as well as section 30(1) of FRA 2007, specifically, section 88(1) stipulate that subject to other provisions of the 1999 Constitution,
“Each House of the National Assembly shall have the power, by passing resolutions, to direct, or cause to be directed, an investigation into any matter or thing with respect to which it has power to make laws, and into the conduct of affairs of any person, authority, ministry of government department charged or intended to be charged with the duty of or responsibility for executing of administrating laws enacted by the National Assembly and for disbursing or administrating monies appropriated or to be appropriated by the National Assembly.”
According to him, the time the National Assembly requires to exercise its functions as enshrined in section 88(2)(b) “Is technically being taken away by the non-compliance of section 11(1)(b) of FRA 2007 by the executive.”
In his contribution, Billy Osawaru, said the timely late arrival of annual budget proposals “Is one of the ways Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Government shortchange Nigerians.
“If it takes four months to go through budget estimates, it should be four months.”
Also contributing, Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda, expressed support for the motion, noting that unless budget estimates arrives the parliament on time; it would be difficult for legislators to scrutinise it in the interest of Nigerians.
“This government prides itself on the adherence to the January-December budget cycle. It is a good development,” he said.
Following the adoption of the motion, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas who presided over the plenary session, urged the Federal Government to comply with section 11(1)(b) and submit to the National Assembly 2025 Budget proposal without further delays.
It also mandated the Committees on National Planning and Economic Development, Appropriation and Finance to ensure compliance within two weeks.
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