TheCable

The 2018 budget appears to have suffered a setback as members of the upper legislative chamber went on recess without passing it in line with the appeal of the executive.

The lawmakers said the budget defence showed that the ministries departments and agencies (MDAs) were not ready.

They argued that it was impossible to work on the 2018 budget without having knowledge of the 2017 budget performance.

Their debate was sequel to concerns raised by Bala Na’Allah, deputy senate leader.

“When we suspended plenary, it was with the idea that the committees will swing into action so we can have a tentative date to pass the budget,” he had said.

“From what I have seen, we might run into troubled waters. If we have not appreciated what the problems are, it is important for Nigerians to come here and understand what the problem is.

“The President told us that the 2017 budget was going to achieve at least 60 percent performance. Today, that has not happened. We need to lay this issue and discuss it. Let us put the facts before the executive and show Nigerians the difficulties we are facing.”

On his part, Adeola Olamilekan, senator representing Lagos west, said national assembly is ready to pass the budget but the executive has not shown commitment.

“How can we approve the 2018 budget without knowing the performance of 2017 budget? This is abnormal. From the recent budget defences, it is obvious that MDAs are not ready. Year in, year out, the budget performance is low. Last week, a minister was asked to excuse lawmakers because he did come prepared. He did not come with the necessary documents to defend the budget of his ministry.

“We need to show to Nigerians that the national assembly is ready to approve the budget. Remember how the executive submitted the MTEF and withdrew it again. It submitted it and withdrew it. It shows the lack of seriousness on the part of the economic managers of the country.”

Matthew Urhoghide, senator representing Edo south, described the presentation of budget estimates as a ritual that did not benefit anybody.

“I want to say that the budget of 2018 is already bedevilled. For us to be able to determine 2018, we need to see the performance of 2017. Many MDAs are complaining that what they are getting for recurrent expenditure is not even for them. More worrisome is the capital expenditure,” he said.

“Last week, the Minister of Finance announced that N750 billion had been released. If this money has been released, MDAs are yet to get this money. With the envelope budgeting they are doing, we do not know what has been given to MDAs.

“I want to say that every consideration about the 2018 budget should be put at bay. This executive is not serious. Let them tell us what they have done with the 2017 budget. The budget presentation is an annual ritual that is not benefiting anybody.”

Although the executive had appealed to the legislators to pass the budget within the year, the legislative activities of 2017 ended without the budget being passed.

The lawmakers adjourned on Thursday, promising to continue work on the budget on January 9 ahead of the January 18 plenary resumption date.