Senate:We won’t debate on 2018 budget presented by Buhari

Saraki said the decision was to enable the Senate pass the MTEF and FSP.

The Nigerian Senate says it won’t debate the 2018 appropriation bill presented to the National Assembly by President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday, November 7, 2017.

Speaking at plenary on Tuesday, November 21, 2017, Senate president Bukola Saraki said the decision was to enable the red chamber pass the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and the Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP).

His words: “We have to pass the MTEF which we are hoping to relay by tomorrow, to be passed this week. Secondly, the distribution of documents and I hope you have all received the documents that accompany the 2018 budget.

“The revenue and expenditure budget of the federal government-run enterprises and agencies, the consolidated 2016 implementation report, budget implementation report for first quarter 2017 and second quarter 2017 and also budget volume 1 and 2 should be received today at the joint seating.

“Away from departure of the past, we intend next week Tuesday and Wednesday to debate the budget and specifically allocate Thursday for the debate of revenue and expenditure of FGN on enterprises and agencies.

“You remember when we are doing the exercise this year, we recognize the importance of the revenue and enterprises, we think that in order to we continue to put the attention and focus so we need to dedicate a day.”

The N8.6 trillion appropriation bill was christened Budget of Consolidation.