President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered ministers and heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies yet to defend their 2018 budget before the National Assembly to do so without further delay. The order was given after the President had a closed-door meeting with the principal officers of the National Assembly led by the Senate President Bukola Sarki at the Presidential Villa last night.
The meeting which started at about 9:10 p.m. ended before 11 p.m.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, who briefed State House correspondents after the meeting said it was held to build on the harmonious relationship that exists between the two arms of government.
“The president gave them update on security, economy, job creation, processes in the National Assembly especially with regards to the budget and need to conclude on time and Mr. President has given instruction that all ministers and heads of parastatals should ensure that they appear before the National Assembly to defend their submissions so that we can get this out of the way.
“You know this is a very dynamic year and there are preparation for elections and we are having quite a lot of security challenges and so if we don’t appropriate, where will the money come from?” Mr. Mustapha said.
The Senate President also spoke with journalists. He said the leadership of the National Assembly used the opportunity of the meeting to give Mr. President their opinion on the “ budget, security and other issues”. He also assured that the legislature was working on the 2018 budget even though some agencies were yet to defend their budgets.
The National Assembly principal officers that accompanied the Senate President to the meeting include Speaker Yakubu Dogara, his deputy speaker, Yusuf Lasun, Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawan, and House Leader Femi Gbajabiamila.
Others are senators Sola Adeyeye and Philip Aduda; House Chief Whip, Al-Hassan Dogowa; and Deputy Whip Pally Iriase. Conspicuously absent are top officers of the National Assembly from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party which include the Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, Minority Leader Godswill Akpabio, his deputy, Emmanuel Bwacha, and Deputy Minority Whip, Biodun Olujimi.
Before last night’s meeting between the Executives and the Legislature, the meeting has been called off three occasions due to what was termed “logistics reasons”.
