By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
President Muhammadu Buhari’s request for N895.842,465,917 supplementary budget for 2021 will be considered by the Senate on Tuesday July 6, according to Senate President Ahmad Lawan.
He announced the date at plenary following a request by Appropriations Committee Chairman Jibrin Barau for time to allow the Joint Committees of the Senate and House of Representatives to harmonise reports on the supplementary bill.
Buhari last week asked the Senate to approve the supplementary budget to, among others, fund
· Coronavirus vaccine programme
· Treatment of additional 50,000 patients under the Nigeria Comprehensive AIDS Programme in states
· Additional equipment for defence and security to combat insecurity
Barau said: “I was directed to submit the report of the 2021 Supplementary Appropriations Bill to this Senate today [June 30].
“I wish to tell this distinguished Senate that my committee went with that directive, and we have concluded our work on the bill.
“However … we are yet to harmonise our position with that of the House of Representatives. The meeting to harmonise our position with the House of Representatives is tomorrow [July 1].
“We hope that we are going to finish with them, harmonise and have the same position so as to have a seamless supplementary approval process within the National Assembly.
“Therefore … I’m requesting that the Senate should show understanding because of this development and allow us to lay the report on Tuesday [July 6].”
In response, Lawan said: “Because you have come under standing order 43 which does not allow for debate on the issue raised, I’ll on behalf of the Senate advice that your committee should remain very concerned with strict consideration of whatever the executive side of government has brought as request in the supplementary.
“So, do proper scrutiny, you have requested this yesterday [June 29]. Work with the House so that we have a Joint report, so we don’t have to go into harmonisations.
“Leave no stone unturned in considering the issues item-by-item, then we unfailingly receive the report and consider it on Tuesday [July 6].”