Senate suspends plenary for two weeks over 2018 budget

The senate has suspended plenary for two weeks to allow ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) defend their budgets for 2018.

Senate President Bukola Saraki announced the suspension of plenary after the legislators concluded their debate on the general principles of the 2018 budget and passed it for second reading.

Saraki said heads of the MDAs should make sure they appear for their budget defence so that the appropriation committee could do its work and submit its report at plenary.

“We know the time table is tight. We would suspend plenary for us to start the defence of the budget,” the senate president said.

“The budget committee chairman and members should ensure they keep to the time table. I want to sound a warning to all heads so MDAs to ensure that they respect strictly the letter of invitation and the time table.

“This is not time for excuses for ministers and parastatals to start travelling and not be able to attend defence. We don’t have the time. It is a very short time. They should be there on time so that the committee can wrap up and present their report. I know we have a lot of work ahead.

“There would be a public hearing from my discussion with the chairman on appropriation; we are looking at Monday the 18th. Between now and then the announcement would be made.”

The upper legislative chamber will resume plenary on December 19.