Bukola Saraki, senate president has given a final deadline of Thursday this week for sub-committees to submit their 2017 budget reports to the Appropriations Committee.
Saraki who handed down the deadline after a closed door session of about two hours on Tuesday, expressed disappointment that about 20 committees are yet to submit report to the Danjuma Goje-led Appropriations Committee.
The Senate President warned that after Thursday deadline, the upper legislative chamber will have no choice but rely on submissions of the Executive.
Order 98 (10) of the Senate Standing Orders 2015 (as amended), gives the Appropriations Committee power of annual appropriation bill, while other standing committees regarded as sub-committees in this instance, submit their reports to the Appropriations Committee, which in turn submit same to Committee of the Whole.
“Committees should submit their reports unfailingly by Thursday to Appropriations. This is the seventh time we are making this appeal. There are about 20 committees yet to submit their report. Please ensure by Thursday latest, you submit your report to Appropriations. After Thursday, we will have no alternative but go by the executive submission. This is the last time we are making this announcement. All chairmen of committees unfailingly by Thursday, kindly ensure that your report is with the chairman of Appropriations,” he stated.
On Monday, Goje declared that the 2017 budget may be passed before May 2017.
