Lawmaker demands performance of 2017 budget

Senator Solomon Adeola has demanded the performance of the 2017 budget before the National Assembly approves the implementation of the 2018 budget.

Adeola representing Lagos West said this during a New Year Party held at his Ilaro home, on Tuesday, attributed the delay in the implementation of this year’s budget to what he described as “carelessness” on the part of the executive arm of government.

He said the Assembly could still pass the appropriation bill into law in record time if the performance of the 2017 budget is provided.

Adeola said,” We are not far behind, let me make some clarification on the issue of the budget, you can see we are working around the budget to ensure by 21st of December, if possible for the first time in our national history we can pass the budget in records time.

“But as it is, documentation and fact and figure that we need to buttress the all item of transaction both in recurrent and capital expenditure as contained in that documents are not giving to us by this ministries.

” The attitude of these various agencies of the government both the ministry and parastatals nothing to write home about because it is when they are prepared to defend this documentation those figures contained in that documents that we will be looking record time to pass this budget,” he said.

Senator Adeola also called on the heads of ministries, departments, and agencies to come forward and defend the figures contained in their respective fiscal budgets.

The senator however assured that the budget would be approved by the national assembly before the end of the first quarter of the year provided the government presents the necessary documentation.

“We are hoping the executive takes this budget very seriously, they look inward and ensure that all necessary documentation that would assist the National Assembly in considering the budget that is before us should be forwarded to us so that we can work round the clock and give Nigerians this document in a record time, latest by March or April of this year,” he added.