The National Assembly on Tuesday denied the statement credited to the Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala that the economy would shut down if the National Assembly did not pass the budget.
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe (PDP-Abia) told newsmen in Abuja that the legislative and executive arms of the government enjoy the best of relationship.
The Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala had reportedly said that the economy would shut down if the National Assembly did not pass the budget.
Abaribe, while reacting to the comments credited to the minister said, “we were disturbed when we read the comments.’’
“What we will want to appeal for is that, nobody should paint a picture of a collision course between the two arms.
“What we are interested in is to see the budget implemented as passed and in such a way that Nigerians will benefit from it.’’
Abaribe said that the Senate did not view the comments, allegedly credited to the minister on a radio programme kindly and would want to take exception to it.
“The National Assembly does not expect ministers or any appointees of the president to make comments that gives the impression of a collision course between the executive and the legislature,’’ he said.
Abaribe said that the senate would consider the amendment when it returned from its annual recess in September.
The 2013 budget was submitted to the National Assembly in Sept. 2012 and signed into law in Feb. 2013.
Abaribe, while reacting to a court ruling that it was unconstitutional for the president to appoint service chiefs without the senate confirmation said, it is left for the executive to obey the court.
He, however, noted that the National Assembly was not a party to that suit.
“It is a suit between an individual and the presidency and the government as it were, and so, it is up to the presidency to obey a court judgment.
“When that is done, the National Assembly will of course be alive to its constitutional responsibility,’’ he said.
President Goodluck Jonathan had sent a letter to the Senate seeking the restoration of N72.24 billion reduction in the 2013 budget by the National Assembly.
In the letter read by the Senate President, David Mark, President Jonathan appealed that allocations to some capital projects which were reduced be restored to promote national development.
He listed the affected areas to include ministry of works: Abuja-Lokoja road reduced by N4 billion; Kano-Maiduguri road, N3.5 billion; dualisation of Ibadan-Illorin, Section 2 reduced by N5.5 billion.
“Ministry of health: MDG HIV/AIDS ARV drugs allocation reduced by N1 billion; routine immunisation vaccines reduced by N1.75 billion; malaria programme procurement and distribution of insecticides reduced by N0.8 billion.
“There were also reductions from the ministry of power, transport, education and SURE-P.’’
The president said that unemployment was a major concern in the country and the reduction from N27 billion to N9 billion in the SURE-P would affect government’s capacity to create jobs.
He appealed to the Senate to restore the said cuts so as to maintain industrial harmony.
He expressed optimism that the explanations would help the senate to consider and quickly pass the 2013 amendment budget proposal.
