Present 2025 Budget Estimates Now – Reps Tell Tinubu

On Wednesday, the House of Representatives criticized the executive arm of government for its delay in submitting the 2025 budget estimate to the National Assembly, urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take prompt action in presenting the budget proposals to Parliament.

The House called on the Executive to adhere to section 11(1)(b) of the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007, which mandates the timely submission of the 2025 Budget Proposal to the National Assembly without any further postponements.

This resolution was reached following the approval of a motion of urgent national importance put forth by Rep. Clement Jumbo.

In presenting the motion, Jumbo expressed concern over the executive’s failure to deliver the 2025 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and the Appropriation Bill for 2025, as required by the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA).

He noted that the FRA specifies that both the MTEF and Appropriation Bills should be submitted to the National Assembly at least four months prior to the conclusion of the financial year.

According to Daily Trust, the current budget cycle is set to conclude on December 31, 2024, which leaves only two and a half months remaining.

Jumbo emphasized that a delayed submission of the appropriation bill would hinder lawmakers’ ability to thoroughly examine the budget document before its approval.

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In support of the motion, the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Kingsley Chinda, called upon all members, regardless of their political affiliations, to lend their support. He expressed concern over the delayed submission of the 2024 appropriation bill, which had previously placed significant pressure on lawmakers, forcing them to hastily approve the budget last year.

Chinda noted that a similar situation is emerging this year and urged the executive branch to take immediate action by presenting the appropriation bill in a timely manner prior to its passage.

Additionally, Solomon Bob, while endorsing the motion, suggested that the House may need to adopt a firm stance against budgets submitted late.

The motion received unanimous approval and was subsequently referred to the committees on National Planning and Economic Development, Appropriations, and Finance, with a directive to ensure compliance within a two-week timeframe.