Reps express worry over delay in receiving MTEF, 2016 budget

From Kemi Yesufu , Abuja
THERE is anxiety in the House of Representatives over the
delayed transmission of the Middle Term Expenditure
Framework (MTEF) to the House, Daily Sun has learnt
exclusively.
Investigations showed that both the ruling All Progressives
Congress (APC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic
Party (PDP) are worried that as at the middle of
November, there are still no signs of the Presidency
transmitting the MTEF and the 2016 budget to lawmakers.
The Jonathan administration forwarded the 2014-2016
MTEF in October 2013, but presented the 2015 budget late
on December 17, 2014.
The delayed presentation of the budget contravenes the
2007 Fiscal Responsibility Act which stipulates that budget
estimates for the next fiscal year shall be presented before
the joint session of the National Assembly at least three
months to the end of the year.
Already, the non- presentation of the MTEF and next year’s
budget has been criticised by the Minority Leader, Hon.
Leo Ogor, who in an exclusive interview with Daily Sun said
as far as the legislature was concerned, the Buhari
administration was yet to kick off as these two important
documents which form the core of legislative duties have
not been made available.
He said the continued delay in sending these documents
to the National Assembly is not good for the economy,
even as it will adversely affect the execution of projects
and other key government interventions.
“Look at the budget which is a very important document,
has not been sent to the National Assembly. Even the
MTEF which should be in the National Assembly by now,
according to the Fiscal Responsibility Act, has not been
sent to us,” Ogor lamented.
On Monday this week, the Speaker, House of
Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, said at the opening
of the National Assembly Dialogue on the Economy,
Security and Development that the House wished it has
received these documents on time.
Dogara said the prompt delivery of these documents
would contribute greatly to government efficiency.
Suggesting the Appropriation Bill be presented by
September, Dogara said prompt fowarding of the MTEF
and the annual budget formed part of priority areas in the
Eighth House of Representatives Legislative Agenda. He
noted that when the House receives both documents early,
it would make it possible for lawmakers to conduct public
hearings on the budget before approval.
He said: “The House further committed itself in specific
terms to a review of the budgetary process with emphasis
on the following: Promotion of an inclusive budgetary
process that seeks the cooperation of the executive in
institutionalising pre-budget interface and consultations.
“Revisiting the ‘Constitution amendment passed by the
Seventh House mandating the President to submit his
budget proposals at least three months before the end of a
fiscal year. This is critical in passing annual Appropriation
Bill,” he said.