President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday in Abuja submitted to the Senate, the 2014-2016 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP).
The MTEF and FSP set the parameters for the medium-term expenditure plan of government before the 2014 budget presentation.
In his letter, read by Senate President David Mark, Jonathan said the 2014-2016 MTEF and FSP were prepared after due consideration of global economic uncertainty.
“The 2014-2016 MTEF and FSP reflect the reality of our circumstance and will ensure that planned spending is set at prudent and sustainable levels consistent with government’s overall medium-term development objectives.’’
He expressed appreciation for what he described as the enduring partnership between the legislature and executive arms of government.
Mark had earlier, in his address on the resumption of the Senate on Tuesday, challenged the executive to quickly submit the 2014 budget to ensure speedy passage.
“You will recall that the 2013 budget estimate was laid before us in October. Let me call on the Executive to improve on that record this year,’’ he said.
“Because the 2013 budget estimates was laid early enough, we not only scrupulously, meticulously and robustly debated it, we also ensured that it was passed before commencement of its operative financial year.’’
Mark said the legislature was poised to ensure speedy passage of the 2014 budget estimates, if presented early.
The Senate also confirmed the nomination of eight ambassadorial nominees which followed consideration of the report of Sen. Mathew Nwagwu-led Committee on Foreign Affairs.
The committee said it found the eight nominees qualified for confirmation as ambassadors.
Mark advised the new ambassadors to represent Nigeria well in their countries of posting.
He also called on the ministries of finance and foreign affairs to ensure adequate funding of Nigerian missions abroad.
The new ambassadors are Mr O.F. Muoh (Imo), Mrs Chinwuba Akabogu (Anambra), Mr Adamu Emozozo (Edo) and Mr A. Echi (Benue).
Others are Mrs Quist Adebiyi (Lagos), Mr M. Dauda (Borno), Mr Hakeem Suleiman (Ogun) and Dr Bolere Ketebu (Bayelsa).
A request was also sent to the Senate on Tuesday for confirmation of another ambassadorial nominee, Mr S.U Ahmed, from Gombe.
The Senate also received a request from the president to confirm Justice Ibrahim Bukar as Chief Judge of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
According to the president, the request is necessitated by the voluntary retirement of Justice Lawal Gummi as Chief Judge of the FCT High Court.
Also at Tuesday’s plenary session, Senate Minority Leader, Senator George Akume, in a letter, informed the senators of the official registration of the APC.
Akume said all senators who came to the Senate on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria, Congress for Progressive Change and All Nigeria People’s Party are now in APC.
