BEVERLY HILLS, CA, November 11, (THEWILL) – President Goodluck Jonathan’s presentation of the 2014 budget proposals to the joint session of the National Assembly earlier scheduled for Tuesday, November 12 was Monday, shifted to November 19.
Although, no reason was given for the shift in the budget presentation, The Will gathered that this may not be unconnected with the protest by members of the House of Representatives last week.
But a statement signed by the Director of Personnel, Dr. Ishaya Habu Sarki, on behalf of the Clerk of National Assembly, said: ” I am directed to inform you that the presentation of the 2014 annual budget by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR to the joint session of the National Assembly has been rescheduled for Tuesday, 19th November, 2013.”
It will be recalled that the House of Representatives last Thursday had a near rowdy session over the request to admit the president and his entourage on the floor of the House chambers to lay the 2013 appropriation bill.
Some of the lawmakers had vehemently opposed the proposed date insisting they were not satisfied with the implementation of the 2013 budget.
Led by Hon. Ali Madaki (PDP, Kano), the lawmakers insisted that the address of the president on the budget slated for Tuesday should be postponed pending a satisfactory implementation of the 2013 budget.
Deputy House Leader, Hon. Leo Ogor, had moved a motion to admit the president and his entourage in a joint sitting with the senate.
After the motion was seconded and as Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal moved to put the question, Madaki raised a point of order under matters of personal explanation.
Madaki, in his explanation, argued that the House should not receive the 2014 proposal until an appreciable state of implementation is attained.
He said the 2014-2016 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) earlier submitted by the president to the House has not been considered and approved, insisting that the lawmakers should shift the presentation of the budget until further notice.
Madaki’s submisission was supported by Hon. Ben Nwankwo (APGA, Anambra),who argued that his motion seeking to review the implementation of the 2013 budget two days earlier was stood down pending the outcome of the House completion of oversight on the extent of implementation therefore, the budget presentation should also be put off.
Hon. Friday Itulah (PDP, Edo) also explained that since section 81 of the 1999 constitution (as amended) provides that the president could lay the budget anytime within the financial year, the presentation should be suspended.
This opened a flurry of opposition as Hon. Raphael Nnanna (PDP,Imo) kicked against the motion, saying the presentation should not be stopped. Also opposing the motion, Hon. Warman Ogoriba (PDP, Bayelsa) submitted that there was no law barring the president from laying the budget. In his argument, Hon. Nkem Abonta (PDP, Abia) said the president should be allowed to present the budget and any other issue would be discussed during consideration.
When the matter was put to vote, the Speaker ruled in favour of the ayes, a decision which was challenged by Hon. Ben Nwankwo who called for division of the House into two. It took the intervention of the deputy leader and other lawmakers before Nwankwo withdrew his point of order
Saint Mugaga, Abuja
