The national assembly is seeking
to extend the 2017 budget to May 31, Mustapha Dawaki, chairman of the house of
representatives committee on appropriation, has said.
Speaking at a two-day public
hearing on the 2018 budget, Dawaki said a letter has been written to Ahmed
Idris, accountant-general of the federation (AGF), asking him not close the
budget account.
Dawaki said 2017 budget would
stop functioning once the 2018 budget is passed by the national assembly and
assented to by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Last week, the lower legislative
chamber said it would pass the 2018 budget on April 24.
“We are told that the office of
the accountant-general is expected to close the account as at March ending,” he
said.
“We have written a letter
yesterday, drawing his attention to the fact that the budget should be extended
to May 31 but if the passage of the budget as at April 24 is done and gets the
president’s assent, whichever comes earlier. The accountant-general should also
strictly adhere to the contents of the letter.
“Contractors should continue
working, budget account will not be closed until budget is passed and accepted
by the president or until the 31 of May, 2018.”
Earlier, Senate President Bukola
Saraki, while declaring the hearing open, said the country needs to prioritise
development of human capital.
“We acknowledge Nigeria’s huge
infrastructural deficit, as well as the need to expand planned expenditure.
However, you will agree with me that, while it is important to achieve equity
and balance in the spread of development projects around the country, we must
also prioritise human capital development,” Saraki said.
“It is in this vein that the
national assembly will prioritise expenditure on critical health and education
facilities as well as soft infrastructure.”
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