Senate And Reps Disagree On 2016 Budget

 
THE ongoing controversy over the 2016 Budget deepened on Wednesday as the National Assembly became divided over it.


The House of Representatives and the Senate took opposing positions over the budget, which is yet to be assented to by President Muhammadu Buhari.


While the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, said the  Green Chamber will re-examine‎‎ the budget in view of the prevailing circumstances in Nigeria, the Senate said it will not reopen discussions on the issue with the Presidency.


‎The Senate, through his spokesman, Senator Abdullahi Sabi, said the Red Chamber is done with the 2016 budget and if there is anything missing in the budget, the Executive should come through by way of supplementary budget.


Sabi said: “What we issued yesterday remains our position.


“Today, all we did was confirm the true picture of these situation.


“I had to verify my facts and speak on those facts.


“I think we have made that clear.


“Yes we have passed the budget, Nigerians are asking what next?


“What is important is for the budget to be signed.


“The constitution has taken note of these kind of omissions of allocations.


“We issued that statement to clarify the situation and not to confront any authotity.


“We are a democratic institution and whatever we do, we remain guided by the ground norm of the constitution.


“Like we said, the Lagos-Calabar rail project was not included in the budget and does not in any way undermine the fact that it is an important project for this nation to embark on.


“The National Assembly is open if the executive brings a supplemantary appropriation.


“We are ready and willing to consider such.”


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