President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, on Friday warned that the National Assembly will not allow Ministers or Heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of government to frustrate it from passing the 2020 Budget proposals by December.
Speaking at the unveiling of the Legislative Agenda of the House of Representatives, Lawan said those responsible for the defence of the budget must exploit the October window offered by the National Assembly as national legislators would not offer them the opportunity to do so after October.
“The National Assembly will do the right thing; which is to work on the budget and pass it. We will not allow anyone to frustrate our desire to pass the 2020 Budget before the end of this year. So, it is an opportunity for all those concerned with defending their budgets, to take the advantage.
Vanguard reports that the Senate President has been consistent in his desire to reverse the current unpredictable financial year to a more predictable January to December cycle of budgeting. To achieve what some people consider a tall order, the leadership of the ninth National Assembly has repeatedly warned government officials to take advantage of the opportunity to defend their budget estimates on schedule.
“One thing that we have collectively decided in the National Assembly, is to pass the budget 2020 before the end of the year. Already, the House has suspended plenary; the Senate will do same on Tuesday next week for the consideration of budget defence by Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government.
“Only the window of October is available for budget defense. Any Minister or Head of Agency who decides to travel out of Nigeria, without defending his or her respective budget would have no opportunity to do so.”
 "Dubai Submerged In Flood")