- Issues warning to MDAs
From Fred Itua, Abuja
One week after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu presented the 2024 budget to a joint session of the National Assembly, the Senate on Tuesday, said it is working round the clock to maintain the existing January to December budget circle.
The January to December budget circle was introduced by the 9th Senate, headed by the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan.
Akpabio spoke in Abuja at the stakeholders’ retreat on the 2024 budget, organised by Senate committees.
Akpabio who declared the event opened, also warned heads of different Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government to take their budget defences seriously, and warned of dire consequences .
Akpabio said: “Let me state clearly that the National Assembly will not tolerate lackadaisical attitude from government. Functionaries in all MDAs in relations to issues surrounding their defences
“Of submissions and our resolve to maintain the January-December budget cycle. The consequences may not be palatable for the official or the agency in the eventual passage of the 2024 Appropriation Bill.”
Speaking further, Akpabio noted: “I am aware that the stakeholders gathered here today are in the business of making sacrifices on behalf of the people and committed to brainstorming, researching and proffering various suggestions and solutions on behalf of the Nigerian populace.
“To this extent, I am confident that such continuous partnership and deliberations will add substantial value to our legislative work of enacting laws for good governance and the interest of our people.
“I will specifically commend all relevant state and non-state actors for their interests and sacrifices in ensuring that these participatory processes of public engagements, which are geared towards a better outcome of our law-making are smoothly executed. There is no doubt that various stakeholders would want their opinions heard by those in power.
“Indeed, this is a key element in democracy, especially when it concerns a vital issue like the national budget of a nation dealing with the allocation of national resources. The proper use of the national budget is critical to the economic development of any country, and it is even more so for a nation like ours, where our economy needs urgent stimulation to address myriad of challenges.
“We understand that the budget is about fiscal targets, resource allocation, public expenditure policy, productivity and efficiency. We also understand that the process is one of passage, mobilisation and execution, as well as effective monitoring and evaluation.”