Buhari gives Friday deadline for MDAs to submit 2018 budget estimates to NASS

President Muhammadu Buhari has given Agencies, Corporations and Government owned Companies till Friday, March 23rd, for them to submit details of their 2018 budget estimates to the appropriate Committees of the National Assembly.

In a statement by Director of Information, in the Office Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Lawrence Ojabo, the directive was conveyed in a Circular on Monday 19thMarch,  to all Ministries, Departments and Agencies with, Ref. No. SGF/OP/1/S.3/XII, titled“SUBMISSION OF DETAILS OF THE 2018 BUDGET ESTIMATES BY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OWNED AGENCIES, PARASTATALS AND CORPORATIONS TO THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY”, signed by The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha.

The SGF directed that the agencies comply with the provisions of the law and honour invitation to defend their estimates timeously.

The Circular enjoined supervising Ministers to ensure timely compliance with the content of the Circular.

This follows last Thursday’s meeting with the leadership of the National Assembly, led by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki.

The submission of the budget estimates  is in accordance  of Section 21 of the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) 2007.

The FRA 2007 provides that consequent upon laying of  summary of  budget estimates of Agencies listed in the schedule to the FRA alongside the National Budget by Mr. President, it is required that details of such  budgets are made available to the National Assembly for consideration and passage.

The Circular letter is published in full below.

CIRCULAR

Ref. No. SGF/OP/1/S.3/XII

Office of the Secretary to the

Government of the Federation,

The Presidency,

Shehu Shagari Complex,

Three Arms Zone,

Abuja.

19th March, 2018

Chief of Staff to the President,

Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Office of the Vice-President,

Honourable Ministers/Ministers of State,

Head of the Civil Service of the Federation,

National Security Adviser,

Principal Secretary to the President,

Economic Adviser to the President,

Special Advisers/Senior Special Assistants,

Chief of Defence Staff/Service Chiefs/Inspector-General of Police,

Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria,

Chairman, Federal Civil Service Commission,

Chairman, Police Service Commission

Chairman, Code of Conduct Bureau,

Chairman, Code of Conduct Tribunal,

Chairman, Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission,

Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service,

Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission,

Chairman, National Population Commission

Chairman Independent Corrupt Practices& Other Related Offences Commission

Chairman, Economic & Finance Crimes Commission

Chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency

Chairman, National Salaries, Incomes &Wages Commission

Chairman, National Assembly Services Commission

Surveyor-General of the Federation

SUBMISSION OF DETAILS OF THE 2018 BUDGET ESTIMATES BY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OWNED AGENCIES, PARASTATALS AND CORPORATIONS TO THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

1. It has come to the attention of Government that a number of Agencies, Corporations and Government owned Companies have not fully complied with the provisions of Section 21 of the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) 2007.
2. Agencies are reminded that the FRA 2007 provides that consequent upon laying of  summary of  budget estimates of Agencies listed in the schedule to the FRA alongside the National Budget by Mr. President, it is required that details of such  budgets are made available to the National Assembly for consideration and passage.  This position was reiterated in the attached publication in the Nation Newspaper of Wednesday, February 7, 2018.  by the Senior Special Assistant to the President (SSAP) on National Assembly Matters (Senate)
3. Accordingly, Mr. President has directed:

(i)         That Agencies, Corporations and Government owned Companies in the schedule to the FRA 2007 should comply with the provisions of the law;

(ii)        All submissions (109 copies to the Senate and 360 copies to the House) should be made available to the appropriate Committees of the National Assembly. Copies should also be made available to the SSAP on National Assembly Matters (Senate and House respectively), not later than Friday, 23rd March, 2018; and

(iii)       All Agencies, Corporations and Government Owned Companies should honour invitations to defend their estimates timeously.

4.         Supervising Ministers are enjoined to ensure timely compliance with the content of this Circular.

Signed

Boss Mustapha

Secretary to the Government of the Federation.