2025 budget: Reps task FG on prompt submission of Medium Term Expenditure Framework
The House of Representatives have urged the Federal Government (FG) to urgently transmit the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) to the National Assembly to give lawmakers ample time to work on the 2025 Appropriation Bill when submitted.
This is against the backdrop of the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved by the member representing Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency, Akwa Ibom State, Mr Clement Jimbo.
The lawmakers from different party affiliations expressed dissatisfaction with the trend of delayed presentation of annual budget proposals to the parliament, which usually leaves them with little time to carry out their duties promptly.
Jimbo while canvassing support for the motion on the veracity of urging the executive to comply with Section 11 (I) of the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007, stated that the law provided for the prudent management of the nation’s resources, and ensures long term macro-economic stability of the national economy.
According to him, Section 11(1)(b) stipulates that “The Federal Government must, not later than four months before the commencement of the next financial year, cause to be prepared and laid before the National Assembly an MTEF for the next three financial years.”
Jimbo expressed worry that Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution, as well as section 30(1) of FRA 2007, specifically, section 88(1), stipulate that, subject to other provisions of the 1999 Constitution, “Each House of the National Assembly shall have the power, by passing resolutions to direct or cause to be directed, an investigation into any matter or thing to which it has power to make laws, and into the conduct of affairs of any person, authority, ministry of government department charged or intended to be charged with the duty of or responsibility for executing of administrating laws enacted by the National Assembly and for disbursing or administrating monies appropriated or to be appropriated by the National Assembly.”
He added that the time the National Assembly required to exercise its functions as enshrined in section 88(2)(b) “Is technically being taken away by the non-compliance of section 11(1)(b) of FRA 2007 by the executive.”
The Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda who supported the motion, said that unless budget estimates got to the parliament on time; it would be difficult for legislators to scrutinise it in the interest of Nigerians.
“This government prides itself on the adherence to the January-December budget cycle. It is a good development,” Chinda said.
“In the 2023 budget, we were practically rushed into completing work on the estimates just to meet up with the January – December cycle.
“This must not happen again. By now, the MTEF should have been with us.”
After the adoption of the motion, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas who presided over the plenary session, urged the Federal Government to comply with section 11(1)(b) and submit to the National Assembly 2025 Budget proposal without further delays.
He also mandated the Committees on National Planning and Economic Development, Appropriation, and Finance to ensure compliance within two weeks.
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