2023 budget: Senate Appropriation warns committees on submission deadline

By Adeleye Kunle

Ahead of the Senate’s resumption of plenary on 15th November, 2022, the Senator Jibrin Barau-led Senate Committee on Appropriation on Friday released a timetable for all committees to make submission of their 2023 budget defenses.

Speaking at a meeting, Barau revealed that some subcommittees are yet to submit reports, a development he posited may affect the timing of budget consideration by the Committee of the whole.

He warned committee chairmen to stick to timetable, warning that the Appropriation Committee may take decision for them, if they defaulted, adding that they have been offered chances on Monday to submit reports.

He, however, directed the Appropriation Committee clerk to officially write various committees and emphasise on the need to stick to time.

He said: “I want to say again that we shall not fail to go on with our commitment, making sure we do everything humanly possible to get this budget passed before the end of this year. It has been the practice in this 9th National Assembly and we shall not derail this laudable practice that everybody is happy with.

“We must adhere strictly to the timetable. Those who have not appeared today, we give them another chance to appear on Monday. We are optimistic they will appear on Monday.”

The lawmaker insisted that his committee would take decision not minding what may have been the outcome as the reports of all committees must be submitted to the Senate in good time.