The Senate has said that it would pass the N8.83 trillion 2019 budget proposed by President Muhammadu Buhari on April 16.
Senate President Bukola Saraki, who announced this at yesterday’s plenary, said the Senate would do all it could to pass the budget on that day.
Saraki said all committees that were yet to submit their budget defence reports to the appropriation committee should do that between now and April 11. He also directed that the appropriation committee headed by Sen Mohammed Danjuma Goje (APC, Gombe) should ensure that the budget report is ready before April 16.
Consequently, the Senate adjourned plenary to April 9 to allow committees to conclude work on the budget.
Senators had a fortnight ago adjourned plenary sittings to allow the various committees to engage Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) on budget defence.
However, two weeks down the line, the over 60 standing committees of the Senate were yet to conclude their assignments, a development that led to yesterday’s extension of the adjournment of plenary.
