Buhari will soon sign the budget, says Ndume

Ali Ndume, senate leader, says grey areas in the 2016 budget causing the conflict between the national assembly and the presidency have been solved and the budget will be signed by Friday.

Ndume, speaking to punch newspapers, also said the national assembly would ensure President Muhammadu Buhari signs the 2016 budget as soon as possible.

“There is no cause for concern as all issues relating to the budget have been taken care of by the leadership of the National Assembly,” he said.

“I assure Nigerians that all the areas of concern would be resolved this week and the president will sign the budget.”

Ndume said the late signing of the budget will not affect its implementation.

According to the Punch, the reconciliation committee of the national assembly, chaired by Yusuf Lasun, is completing work on the production a clean copy of the budget, which will be submitted to President Buhari.

“The committee has been quite busy; the members worked all night Thursday and Friday last week,” the Punch quoted an anonymous senior legislative aide.

“What is happening now is that the members are putting finishing touches to the budget before forwarding a clean copy to Mr. President. It will certainly be this week; counting Tuesday, Wednesday, the signed budget should be ready.”