Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation, Rep.
Abdulmumin Jibrin, has commended Nigerians for their patience and
understanding over the delay in approving the 2016 budget.
Jubrin gave the commendation while addressing newsmen on Wednesday in
Abuja shortly after submitting the detail of the budget to the Clerk of
the National Assembly on behalf of the Joint Appropriation Committee of
the assembly.
He said that the clerk had been mandate to transmit the detail of the
Appropriation Bill to President Muhammadu Buhari.
NAN recalls that the national assembly sent the budget to the president
about three weeks, but he refused assent, demanding the detail of the
changes the legislature made on it.
Jibrin said it was important to reiterate that it took the committees
extra weeks to get the details ready.
According to him, it is not because there is anything untoward going on
but rather, for us to correct all the inconsistencies, errors, omissions
and padding in the document submitted to us in December, 2015.
“Being the most important economic policy tool of government, the budget
provides a comprehensive statement of our priorities as a nation.
“And, as representatives of the people, the National Assembly remains the
appropriate place to ensure that the detail of such a document best match
our national goals and aspirations.
“Therefore, what we have been doing in these past few weeks is to balance
the projections for revenue against the estimates for expenditure based on
the reality of our situation today,” he said.
Jibrin, however, said that the task was made “very difficult” by the
sloppy manner in which the 2016 Appropriation Bill was prepared by the
executive.
He stated that many of the officials who came before the various
committees practically disowned the inputs from their own departments and
ministries.
According to him, in most instances, and across several agencies, the bill
that was initially presented to the committees failed in many respects to
connect with the policy thrust of the government and the needs of the
people.
“That is aside the fact that most of the figures simply did not just add
up. It was one of the most controversial budgets that ever came to the
National Assembly from the executive.
“Fortunately, President Muhammadu Buhari, who we must commend for showing
leadership, intervened and that helped in resolving what had become a
serious logjam.
“Some officials in the executive branch have also been removed from their
duty posts because of these glaring lapses.
“That happened because the president took direct responsibility and got
involved in the process, not only to ensure synergy between the executive
and the legislature, but so that we can arrive at a budget that is
implementable,” he said.
The committee chairman, however, stressed that it was the first time
Nigeria would transit from the ruling political party to the opposition,
adding that, “we therefore believe that the executive will learn from the
mistakes of this year”.
He commended the leadership of the national assembly and members of the
committees “who had to endure sleepless nights, especially in recent
weeks”.
“To the extent that the budget drafting phase is a long process, the
committee stage provides the most significant opportunity for members of
the public, including the media and civil society organizations to make
contributions.
“We have taken into account all shades of opinions in arriving at the
breakdown which is now with the executive,” he said.
According to Jibrin, now that the 2016 budget has been passed, our next
role is to add value to the process through legislative oversight
functions that enable us to ensure adherence to priorities.
This, he said, would take place while monitoring effective allocation of
resources.
He urged the president to abide strictly with provisions of the Fiscal
Responsibility Act which stipulates that the appropriation bill be
presented early.
He said that presenting the bill early would provide sufficient time for
interactive sessions between the executive and the legislature before the
commencement of committee hearings.
“That way, some of the controversies that dogged this year’s budget will
be avoided,” he advised.