Like Reps, Senate adjourns plenary to April 2 over budget defence

The Senate has also adjourned plenary till April 2 to allow heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) appear before its committees to defend their 2019 budget proposals.

The Senate’s decision to adjourn its plenary came a day after the House of Representatives also announced that it will resume plenary on April 2 for the same purpose.

Senate President Bukola Saraki, who appealed to the MDAs to urgently respond to committees’ invitations for the defence to allow for quick action on the bill, however advised the committees against going after them to ask them to appear for budget defence.

He said, “The relevant committees should swing into action and ensure that they conclude work on the budget within two weeks .
“The committee on appropriations should submit its report on April 2, so that we can pass the budget .

“Let me also add that the various committees should not run after or force any head of agency to appear.

“If they do not appear before the given time , adopt what was submitted by the President and submit your report . That is what you should do.”

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The budget proposal of N8.83 trillion for 2019 was presented to a joint session of the National Assembly by President Muhammadu Buhari on December 19, 2018.

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