National Assembly May Pass 2021 Budget December 10

The Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Appropriations are expected to turn in their report on the 2021 Appropriation Bill on Thursday.

It was learnt that some standing committees have, however, yet to submit their reports on the ministries, departments and agencies.

The National Assembly would also not be holding a public hearing on the money bill this year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Anaedoonline.ng learnt that the Committees on Appropriations, which were to compile and harmonise the reports by the standing committees (sub-committees), were to lay their joint report on December 3, while the Senate and the House were to consider and pass the report on December 10.

The Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, had on October 20, said, “Everything has to be rounded off by December 3rd.”

However, Gbajabiamila had on November 24, decried that no fewer than 40 standing committees had yet to present their reports to the House Committee on Appropriations.

The National Assembly had on October 22 adjourned sittings for standing committees to hold budget defence sessions with MDAs on their proposed 2021 budgets.

The standings committees serve as sub-committee to the appropriation committee during budget process. The sub-committees were to start submitting their reports on November 18.

Speaking to our correspondent on Monday, the Vice-Chairman, House Committee on Appropriations, Iduma Igariwey, said, “The public hearing was aborted because of the COVID-19 situation; that was the main reason. It was difficult to find space that will contain the number of people we usually invite.

“We even thought of doing it via Zoom or whatever means but we also lack the facility to conduct that kind of public hearing.

“We even contemplated using the chamber but we concluded it was completely impossible to use the chamber for a public hearing. That was the main reason and no other reason. It is not going to be held again for this year because of this same reason.”