Senate postpones 2018 budget debate, considers MTEF

The Senate on Tuesday announced the postponement of debate on the 2018 Appropriation Bill to Nov. 28 and Nov. 29.

The upper chamber had fixed Wednesday for the debate.

President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, who announced the shift of the debate on Tuesday, said it was to enable the chamber to pass the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF).

“We are hoping that the MTEF will be laid tomorrow (Wednesday) and to be passed this week.

“Secondly, the distribution of documents, I hope you have all received documents accompanying the 2018 Budget, the revenue and expenditure budgets of the Federal Government of Nigeria bond, enterprise and agencies.

“The consolidated 2016 budget implementation report for first quarter, 2017, and second quarter, 2017 and also budget volumes I and II should be received today and the joint sitting, votes and proceedings also should be received today.

“This is a departure from the past. We intend that on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, next week, to debate the budget.

“We want to allocate Tuesday and Wednesday to debate on the budget and specifically allocate Thursday for the debate on revenue and expenditure budget of Federal Government of Nigeria bond and enterprise and agencies,” Saraki said.

The budget was laid before the National Assembly by President Muhammadu Buhari on Nov. 7.