House to Review ‘Envelope’ National Budgetary System

The House of Representatives yesterday mandated its Committee on National Planning and Economic Development to review the need for exemption of some government institutions from the envelope regime on the national budgetary system.

The lawmakers also resolved to investigate beneficiaries of the national budget to determine their respective funding structure in accordance with the relevant laws and authorisations; review budget ceiling and develop a resource framework; and document all findings and submit to the House, for further legislative action(s).

The resolution followed the adoption of a motion on the: “Need to Investigate Funding Structure of Beneficiaries of the National Budget and Causal Factors of the Demand for Exemption from Envelope System by some Institutions of Government moved by Hon. Ibrahim Isiaka at plenary.

Isiaka noted that the provisions of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) on budgeting (money bills), which made the executive and legislature is the main actor in the budget process in Nigeria.

“Sections 4, 59, 80 - 81 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) specifically detailed the powers and responsibilities of the two arms of government on how monies accruing to the country may be expended over a period of time,” he said.

He further stated that the National Assembly, under Sections 80 and 81 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) is responsible for over-sighting the executive branch of government by ensuring budget provisions are complied with.

The lawmaker however informed that the recent clinical examination reveals that there is no law conferring entitlement or excluded some beneficiaries from the national budget and cognisance of the clamour by some government institutions to be exempted from the envelope system in the budgetary allocations