Lawan Makes U-Turn, Says Senate Still Awaiting MTEF/FSP

Senate President Ahmad Lawan on Tuesday made a U-turn over his earlier statement that the upper chamber of the National Assembly was already in possession of the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP).

Recall that last week, Lawan told journalists: “I have been informed that the executive arm of government has sent request for the MTEF to the Senate and we hope to take the MTEF within the first legislative week, that is the first thing we will do, and of course the committee on finance will be saddled with its first assignment to ensure that it works judiciously on the MTEF/ FSP report, the budget will come after that.” But upon resumption of the Senate from its twomonth long annual recess, Lawan disclosed, after over a two-hour closed door executive session, that the legislative arm of government was yet to receive the two documents and was still waiting them.

“The Senate, at the closed door session, deliberated on issues bordering on the workings of the Senate in particular and the National Assembly in general.

“The Senate also resolved to await transmission of the MTEF and 2020 budget proposals from the presidency for expeditious consideration and required approval,” he said.

Meanwhile, the 9th Senate will today inaugurate its 69 standing committees. Announcing the inauguration of the committees at the plenary, the President of the Senate said the committees’ inauguration would be done at once in plenary.

Recall that Lawan, before the Senate proceeded on its recess on July 30, had announced the chairmen and vice chairmen of the committees.