Members of the House of Representatives have called on President Bola Tinubu to expedite the presentation of an estimated 2025 budget before the National Assembly.
Decrying the delay in the presentation of the 2025 Appropriation Bill by the President, the lawmakers urged the Executive to comply with section 11(1) (b) of the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007.
The decision by the House of Representatives followed the adoption of a motion of urgent national importance presented by Clement Jumbo on Wednesday, October 16, 2024.
Expressing his worry, Mr Jumbo said in line with the provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA), the presidency has failed to present the 2025 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and the Appropriation Bill for 2025.
Adding that the MTEF and the Bills are supposed to be submitted at least four months before the end of the year to the National Assembly, Mr Jumbo said a late submission would not allow the legislature the needed time to review the bills.
Also, addressing the House in support of the motion, the minority leader, Kingsley Chinda, urged members irrespective of party affiliations to support the motion.
He warned against putting the lawmakers under pressure due to the late submission of the Appropriation Bill.
The motion by Mr Jumbo was unanimously adopted and referred to the House committees National Planning and Economic Development, Appropriations and Finance to ensure compliance within two weeks.
