House: March 30 Deadline for Passage of Appropriation Bill Not Sacrosanct

Says new software, late submission of reports may hamper delivery

The House of Representatives yesterday said the March 30 timeline for it to pass the 2017 Appropriation Bill was not sacrosanct, though efforts are ongoing to deliver on the date.

The spokesman of the House, Hon. Abdulrazak Namdas, told journalists a couple of issues including the deployment of a new budget software by the budget office had slowed the process.

In addition, he said most of the House Standing Committees currently interfacing with ministries, departments and agencies of government (MDAs) on the appropriation bill were yet to submit their reports to the House Appropriation Committee to allow for passage.

Earlier at yesterday’s plenary, the Speaker of the House, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, appealed to the standing committees to endeavour to turn in their reports by today.

Nevertheless, Namdas said the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had continued to approve new projects for the 2017 budget on a weekly basis, adding that the House would further incorporate and effect approvals for viable projects of importance even as efforts intensify to pass the budget.

He said: “The House is doing all it takes to ensure we try to meet with the timelines of the 2017 appropriation bill as earlier scheduled.

“But if we are not able...I want to say that even the 30th of March, just for the purpose of the records, may not be sacrosanct so to say because of new developments that have arisen.”

He said: “For example, we have a new budget software, very new budget software that is different from what were used to have before.

“It’s a little bit slowing down the process of the budget office and the appropriation committee.

“Apart from that, you are aware that even the FEC)on a weekly basis is approving new projects for 2017 appropriation.”

Continuing, Namdas said: “The fact is that we’ll continue to do what is before us but if there’s the need that some projects are very viable, as representatives of the people, we’ll look at them and effect their approval and see if we could incorporate them.

“And in view of that, I would say we’ll do our best to meet with the 30th March timeline but in case we are not able to do, be assured I told you that the 30th date is not actually very sacrosanct but we’ll do our best to ensure that is done. “

Namdas further noted: “And don’t forget, the speaker just mentioned in the plenary and urged all standing committees to please submit their reports to the appropriation committee tomorrow because it is realised that some of the standing committees have not submitted their reports to the appropriation committee.

“So, these are also some of the issues that are going to affect the particular day but I think with the discussion with some of my colleagues, chairmen of standing committees, I am hopeful that they’ll try to do the needful and submit these reports tomorrow.”

The House is expected to pass the appropriation bill before transmitting the document to the Senate for harmonisation before enrolling it for the president’s ascent.