Reps insist on Jan-Dec budget cycle sustenance

The House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations has expressed its determination to maintain the January-December budget by ensuring strict adherence to Appropriations, Finance and other Acts guiding the utilisation of funds by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

Chairman of the Committee, Abubakar Kabir Abubakar (APC,Kano), stated this at the unveiling of the Committee’s four-year working plan roadmap at the National Assembly, Abuja.

He said the House will ensure the sustenance of the long-established precedent of ensuring compliance with the Financial Year Act through budget passage on or before 31 December of each financial year.

He said, ” It is significant to note that the Appropriations Committee stands as one of the most prominent Committees that champion the course of law-making through appropriations of funds to run the affairs of government by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government. This makes the Committee enjoys a wider jurisdiction in comparison with other Standing Committees.

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“More significantly, the Committee is empowered by Order 20, Rule 15 of the House of Representatives Standing Orders, 10th Edition, 2020 as Amended to coordinate, monitor, and supervise the implementation of all Appropriation Acts after passage by the National Assembly.

“This power will be effectively utilized to exercise oversight jurisdiction over relevant agencies such as the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Federal Ministry of Finance, Office of the Accountant General of the Federation and National Economic Intelligence Agency among others to monitor the budget implementation.

“In addition, the Committee will ensure the sustenance of the long established and cherished precedent of ensuring compliance with the Financial Year Act through budget passage on or before 31 December of each financial year. This development will no doubt makes the budget implementation from January to December operational and achievable”.