Senate passed into law on Tuesday an amendment bill, seeking to extend the implementation of N114 billion FCT Budget to March 31, 2016.
We recall that President Muhammadu Buhari had, last week Tuesday, sent the bill to the Senate. Buhari requested that the document be passed to enable him effect the extension of the implementation deadline.
The Red Chamber resolved to heed the request, and gave the bill accelerated hearing. Consequently, the bill was considered for Second and Third readings, and finally passed.
In his remark, the Senate President, Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki, directed its Conference Committee to harmonise its figures with the House of Representatives.
Earlier, while presenting the bill for Second Reading, the Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume, noted that the 2015 FCT Budget was approved on May 28, 2015, allowing only seven months for the implementation.
He said that in order to meet the obligations of the FCT as requested by Buhari, the Senate should give accelerated passage to the request.
Ndume explained that in view of the seven months period, the FCT Budget implementation only stood at 40 percent, hence the need for the extension.
Buhari also pointed out in his letter to the Senate that the late assent of former President Goodluck Jonathan to the document allowed the FCTA only seven months in 2015 for implementation, which he said was not enough to fully implement the Act.
He further explained that the delay in signing the appropriation bill into law, also affected its implementation in respect of capital projects and other expenditures, resulting in numerous payments for critical and essential projects remaining outstanding.
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