From Fred Itua, Abuja
As Senate resumes plenary, tomorrow, there are indications it will focus on the N7.3 trillion 2017 Appropriation Bill and several priority economic bills at different stages.
Senate President, Bukola Saraki, is expected to read two letters from President Muhammadu Buhari, extending his sick leave in London, United Kingdom (UK) and nomination of Justice Walter Onoghen as Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).
Senate suspended plenary in January, for three weeks, to enable members participate in various sub-committees, for the defence of budget estimates by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
Also, within the period, the House of Representatives and the Senate held a joint three-day Appropriations Committee public hearing on the 2017 budget.
“By all accounts, the public hearing was an outstanding success.
“Federal ministers, private sector leaders, civil society organisations and others participated in what I like to call the “‘people’s budget’ process.
“Government officials were on hand to defend their budget proposals and answer questions relating to the extimates in their MDAs. CSO’s, academics and professionals associations offered commentary on theirviews and critique of the budget.
“It is the intention for the public hearing to be institutionalised as a yearly exercise, to promote government transparency and greater public participation in the process.”
The Senate President added: “It is very important for the executive branch and the legislature to continue to work together to get the spending plan right. The months of collaboration will determine the extent to which the appropriations spending begins to grow the economy and create jobs.”
The sub-committees are expected to start submitting reports to the Committee on Appropriation, based on the schedule earlier provided, as a result of the conclusion of budget defence by MDAs.
This will be followed by compilation of the reports by the appropriation panel and engagement with the leadership of the Senate and interface with some committees, where necessary.
The last phase of the budget process will be laying of a report at plenary, by the appropriation committee chairman, as well as consideration and passage of the Appropriation Bill.
Simultaneously, Senate will also begin considerion of several economic reform bills which form the basis of the Red Chamber’s priority economic agenda.