The House of Representatives on Sunday, December 27, 2015 revealed that it would be carrying out a “thorough overhauling” of the N6.08 trillion 2016 budget so as to meet up with the economic realities.
Speaking to Punch, the Minority Leader of the House, Leo Ogor said the figures brought to the National Assembly were mere proposals which might not stand eventually.
His words: “What we have before us are mere proposals. None is sacrosanct.
“That is why we are the legislature, which has the power of appropriation.
“The proposals will be subjected to thorough overhauling, taking into cognisance the current economic realities of the country and our revenue expectations from funding sources.”
Also lending his voice to the discussion, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Abdulrazak Namdas,said he has heard of the concerns regarding the budget including the crude oil benchmark and the cuts in the allocations of the National Assembly and the judiciary.
He said: “We don’t have the details or breakdown as yet. The budget was laid and we proceeded on break immediately.
“It is only when we resume in January that work on the budget will start. It is hasty to say, yes, we will increase this allocation or reduce that one. No, I can’t say so now.
“But, one thing is certain, no budget ever returns to the executive the way it came to the National Assembly.”
