The Nation Newspaper

Tag: 2013 budget

  • Budget: Senate summons Okonjo-Iweala, Ngama

    Budget: Senate summons Okonjo-Iweala, Ngama

    The Senate on Thursday invited the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and the Minister of State for Finance, Yerima Ngama over the implementation of the 2013 budget.

    Okonjo-Iweala and Ngama are to face members of the Senate Committee on Finance and Appropriation to disclose causes of falling revenue if any.

    The ministers are also expected to brief the lawmakers on the level of implementation of the 2013 budget including releases made to ministries, department and agencies of the federal government.

    The decision to invite the ministers followed a motion sponsored by Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) and 13 others entitled: “2013 budget and alleged over bloated revenue estimates.”

    Ningi had on Wednesday drew the attention of the Senate to alleged statement credited to Ngama that “the National Assembly over bloated the 2013 budget making it unimplementable.”

    Ngama had since disowned the alleged statement, saying that he never made such pronouncement.

    Senate President, David Mark, said that Ngama wrote him, denying ever saying that the National Assembly over bloated the 2013 budget.

    In the motion, Ningi noted that the National Assembly passed the 2013 Appropriation Bill on December 20, 2012 and assented to by President Goodluck Jonathan on February 15 this year.

     

     

  • Senate debates 2013 budget implementation Thursday

    Senate debates 2013 budget implementation Thursday

    The Senate on Wednesday resolved to debate the overall implementation of the 2013 budget on Thursday.

    This resolution followed a Point of Order raised by Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central).

    Ningi, who invoked Order 42 of the Senate that deals with personal explanation, drew the attention of his colleagues to a publication which quoted the Executive to have declared that the 2013 budget as “unimplementable.”

    Ningi faulted the thrust of the report.

    He noted that contrary to the claim of the Executive that the 2013 oil benchmark of $79 per barrel was over bloated, the oil prices have remained high.

    The lawmaker said that he felt concerned because the budget deals with the welfare of Nigerians and should be so treated.

    He noted that as far as he was concerned, the country’s economy has been stable.

    He insisted that contrary to the claim of government, that the oil benchmark was over bloated, oil price has not fallen below projection.

    He said that oil price in the international market has remained $107 per barrel.

    He prayed the Senate to slate full discussion of the implementation of the budget for Thursday.

    Senate President, David Mark, agreed that there was need to discuss the implementation of the budget so far.

    Mark said: “I have not read the publication and whatever was attributed to the Minister of State for Finance.

    “But I have no problem with discussing the current level of the implementation of the budget.”

     

     

  • Senate to pass 2013 amended budget Thursday

    Senate to pass 2013 amended budget Thursday

    All things being equal the Senate would  pass the 2013 amendment budget on Thursday.

    The controversial budget scaled second reading in the Senate on Tuesday with Senate President, David Mark, directing the Appropriation Committee to work and return the budget for consideration within 24 hours.

    The upper chamber had earlier vowed not to consider the budget due to some differences with the Presidency on some areas of the proposed amendments.

    The bill seeks to authorize the issue from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation the total sum of N4, 987, 220,425,601.

    In line with the directive of the Senate President, Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator Ahmed Maccido (Sokoto North) presented the report of his committee to the Senate in plenary on Wednesday.

    The upper chamber should have considered the report immediately after presentation of the report, but Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, said the lawmakers should be given some time to go through the work of the Appropriation Committee.

    Ndoma-Egba said that it was necessary for Senators to acquaint themselves with report of the Appropriation Committee.

    A source told our correspondent that barring other considerations, the budget would be considered and passed on Thursday.

    He noted that it became necessary to expedite action on the budget because the Senate would be proceeding on its vacation.

    Mark urged Senator to take their oversight function more seriously to ensure faithful implementation of the budget.

     

  • Lagos Assembly faults amendment to 2013 budget

    The lagos State House of Assembly has frowned at the proposal sent to it from the executive seeking an amendment to the 2013 budget.

    In a letter signed by the Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Ben Akabueze, the executive noted that “budget deficit will be increased” to the tune of N7 billion to address the “considerable housing deficit” in the state.

    It was noted in the letter that the proposed amendment would not lead to increase in the budget estimate, but the increment would be sourced through a loan to build 600 units of houses.

    The Committee Chairman on Lands and Housing, Sikiru Osinowo (Kosofe I), pleaded with members to allow his committee investigate the proposed amendment since it is related to housing.

    According him, “the Ministry of Lands and Housing has not been cooperating with us whenever there is need for oversight function to be performed.”

    Supporting Osinowo, Rotimi Olowo (Shomolu I) wondered why the executive could not meet up with the budget as it was passed, adding that “it is imperative to ask certain questions before such a request is granted.”

    Funmilayo Tejuosho (Mushin I) said there is need to know the constraints of the ministries and agencies since, according to her, “a lot of time after passing the budget, the budget committee would still need to go back and re-order it.”

    The Committee Chairman on Budget, Mudashiru Obasa (Agege I), said: “With due respect to Osinowo, this is a special request on a law that we have passed. This has to do with the Committee on Housing. The committee has an oversight function in this regard.”

    Obasa told members: “I have made it known to the commissioner that it is right for him to seek audience with the committee whenever amendment is to be made. What they have given in the letter is not enough for us to take a position.”

    The Deputy Speaker Kolawole Taiwo, however, urged members to restrict the house to the loan aspect, saying “our major concern should be the loan. This has always been the conflict every year.”

    Speaker Adeyemi Ikuforiji mandated the Committees on Budget and Lands and Housing to investigate the matter and report to the House next Monday.

     

  • 2013 budget: It’s time for action – Emodi

    2013 budget: It’s time for action – Emodi

    Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters, Senator Joy Emodi, on Wednesday said that signing of the 2013 budget by President Gooluck Jonathan has paved the way for its implementation.

    The Presidential aide also said that signing of the budget has not only put paid to the alleged budget row between the Presidency and the National Assembly but further crystallized the virtue and benefits of teamwork and dialogue between the two arms of government.

    Emodi, who said this in a statement, noted that now that the historic early passage of the 2013 budget has been effectively consummated, it is time for action.

    She noted that there is no doubt that Mr. President, ministries, departments and agencies and the National Assembly will continue to work together to ensure that the budget is effectively implemented for the benefit of all Nigerians.

    She said that instructively, Mr. President had before now strengthened the MDAs for better and more efficient budget implementation through the instrument of the Performance Contract.

    “I most sincerely commend the leadership and members of the National Assembly most profoundly for their cooperation with the Executive and for having the interest of Nigerians at heart.

    “I have no doubt that they would continue to avail the Executive all necessary and subsequent legislative support in line with the harmonious relationship between the two arms and to translate this document to better life for the people of Nigeria in line with the Transformation Agenda of Mr. President,” she said.

     

  • Jonathan signs 2013 budget

    Jonathan signs 2013 budget

    The 2013 Appropriation Bill has  finally been  signed into law on Tuesday by President Goodluck Jonathan.

    Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati said in a statement that the bill was signed after consultations and an agreement between the Executive and the Legislature.

    According to him,  President  Jonathan wishes to reassure  Nigerians that the consultations  over the budget have been in the best interest of the country, and in pursuit of understanding and mutual cooperation between both arms of government.

    “As part of the understanding reached with its leadership, the observations of the executive arm of government about the Appropriation Bill as passed by the National Assembly will be further considered by the National Assembly through legislative action, to ensure effective and smooth implementation of the 2013 Appropriation Act in all aspects.

    “The administration remains fully committed to the positive transformation of the country, and effective and efficient service delivery for the benefit of all citizens.

    “All Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government have therefore been directed to work very hard to ensure that all the services, projects and programmes contained in the budget are successfully delivered on schedule in spite of the slight delay in its enactment” Abati stated.

  • NASS meet to override Jonathan on 2013 budget

    NASS meet to override Jonathan on 2013 budget

    The National Assembly has perfected its next line of action by harmonizing the position of the Senate and the House of Representatives on how to override President Goodluck Jonathan’s veto of the 2013 budget.

    The lawmakers have also declared their intention not to bow to the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party on the budget row, stating that it was not a party affair.

    The House of Representatives on Tuesday rose from a two-hour closed session to announce its resolve to make the move, irrespective of the decision taken by President Jonathan on the matter.

    The Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal led the House leadership which included the Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation into a meeting with the leadership of the Senate led by the Senate President, David Mark.

    The resolve of the two chambers would be made known on Wednesday morning.

    House Spokesman, Zakari Mohammed, who briefed reporters after the closed session said having passed the budget since December last year, the country cannot afford to wait “for eternity” for the President to assent to the document.

    President Jonathan had sent a budget of N4.9.24 trillion to the National Assembly last year, while the lawmakers jerked it up to N4.987 trillion.

     

  • 2013 budget: Ebonyi presents N104.3bn, Enugu N82.9b

    Governor Martin Elechi of Ebonyi State yesterday presented to the State House of Assembly a budget proposal of one hundred and four billion, three hundred and seventy-four million, three hundred and sixty-four thousand, four hundred naira (N104.374, 364, 400.00) for the 2013 fiscal year.

    The proposal tagged: “Budget of Partnership”, according to Chief Elechi, was 18.96% higher than the 2012 revised budget of N86.9 billion.

    Presenting the budget to the State House of Assembly, Governor Elechi noted that the 2013 budget of the state, though one of the least in the country, is the highest ever in the history of Ebonyi State.

    A breakdown of the budget proposal shows that thirty Five billion and Seventy-Six million naira (N35.76 billion) is projected for Recurrent Expenditure while the sum of Sixty-three billion and Sixty-one million is also appropriated for capital expenditure in the budget.

    The recurrent expenditure of N35.76 billion represents 34% of the total expenditure proposal while the capital expenditure which stands at N63.61 billion represents 61% of the proposed budget.

    According to the proposal, road construction and maintenance got the highest provision of N11.70 billion and accounts for 18% of the capital budget. Education is allocated N9.80 billion representing 15% of the budget while water supply has N9.10billion representing 14% of the budget.

    Similarly, Enugu State government has presented a budget of N82.9billion for the 2013 to the state House of Assembly.

    Presenting the budget tagged “Budget of Sustainability”, the acting governor of the state, Sunday Onyebuchi said there shall be strict budget discipline to ensure efficient implementation and a consolidation on the gains of 2012.

    This year’s estimate is eight percent increase from the 2012 budget.

  • Oshiomhole signs 2013 budget

    Oshiomhole signs 2013 budget

    Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomole, on Friday, signed the N149.5 billion Appropriation Bill for 2013 into law.

    Oshiomhole, who commended the leadership of the House of Assembly for the speedy passage of the bill, said the lawmakers’ alteration of the original estimate added value to the final approval.

    The News Agency of Nigeria recalled that the governor, in November, presented a budget estimate of N150.45 billion to the house for consideration and approval.

    “We acknowledge that the Assembly scrutinised and altered the original document because what I am signing is exactly not the same document we proposed to the House.

    “I will say that it is a clear demonstration of the essence of separation of powers and that the document is in fact much better.

    “It also goes to show that the Assembly is not a rubber stamp but one that has added value to the original proposal,’’ he said.

    Oshiomole added that the quick passage would enable his administration commence infrastructure development, especially road construction in 2013.

    “With the passage, the executive will have no excuse not to commence work in earnest in 2013.

    “And the challenge for us now, is to be a little more aggressive to realise the revenue projection aspect of the budget,” he said

    Aside the federal allocation, the governor explained that the state government should be able to improve drastically its local revenue generation profile through the land use charge.

    Oshiomole assured the House leadership that the administration would not disappoint the people as government would intervene in all sectors of the economy.

    “After four years, we will now work at a faster pace to achieve greater level of efficiency and cut that level of wastages for the people to get quality value for their money,’’ he said.

     

  • Reps pass 2013 budget

    Reps pass 2013 budget

    The House of Representatives on Thursday passed the 2013 budget of N4.987 trillion as against the N4.924 trillion presented by President Goodluck Jonathan.

    This represents a difference of N63 billion.

    It is comprised of N387.9 billion for statutory transfers, N591.7 billion for debt services.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the budget is also made up of N2.3 trillion as recurrent non-debt expenditure, N1.6 trillion for contribution to the development fund for capital expenditure for the year ending December 31, 2013.

    All unutilized capital expenditure in the 2012 budget had been rolled over to form part of the 2013 Appropriation Act.

    The Deputy Speaker, Mr. Emeka Ihedioha, who presided enjoined all standing committees of the House to carry out their oversight function in order to ensure full implementation of capital projects.

    The spending plans assumed a 79 dollars per barrel benchmark oil price as against the 75 dollars submitted to the National Assembly by the president.