THE House of Representatives is set to pass the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) next week, to prepare way for the commencement of consideration of the 2017 Appropriation Bill.
Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Honourable Abdulrazak Namdas, disclosed this on Thursday, at a briefing with journalists in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalled that the House had, on Wednesday, commenced distribution of copies of the 2017 Appropriation Bill to members.
NAN also recalled that the House had, before proceeding on the Christmas and New Year break, adopted the 2017-2019 MTEF.
Confirming the development, Namdas informed journalists that consultations between the House and leadership of ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) were at an advanced stage to get the MTEF approved.
“The House has started engaging stakeholders and heads of MDAs on the MTEF and by the grace of God, we will soon finish work on it.
“The law provides that we cannot debate the general principles of the budget until the MTEF is passed.
“So, by the grace of God, we shall consider the MTEF next week and the other week, we will start debate on the budget,” he said.
Namdas said the House would be transparent in the consideration of the budget, insisting that the processes had not changed.