Babatunji Wusu –
– The National Assembly is set to receive the 2025 budget and MTEF from President Tinubu.
– MTEF consideration is essential before the Appropriation Bill is laid.
– A joint committee will investigate oil theft allegations.
– The ongoing constitutional review aims to enhance governance and address public needs.
– The House is committed to timely budget cycles and tackling pressing national issues.
As the National Assembly reconvenes today, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele has announced that both chambers anticipate the presentation of the 2025 budget, alongside the new Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper from President Bola Tinubu.
In a statement, Bamidele highlighted the MTEF’s critical role, asserting that its consideration is a priority on the legislative agenda. He noted, “The MTEF must be ready before the 2025 Appropriation Bill can be laid before the National Assembly.” The MTEF serves as a legal framework that outlines the budget template and is typically submitted before the President’s budget presentation.
The Senate and House of Representatives have returned from their annual recess, which began on July 17. Bamidele also addressed the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution, initiated by a dedicated committee chaired by Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau. This committee will hold various sessions to gather public input on proposed amendments, aiming to foster a more federative governance structure.
Additionally, Bamidele announced plans to inaugurate a joint committee to investigate allegations of oil theft, a pressing concern that was previously addressed by separate ad hoc committees. He stated, “The National Assembly will decisively tackle challenges in the petroleum industry,” emphasizing issues such as crude oil theft, inefficiencies in public refineries, and disruptions in fuel supply.
Bamidele clarified that the Senate had not suspended its investigation into economic sabotage in the petroleum sector but had postponed public hearings to address procedural matters. He reiterated the commitment to uncovering the roots of these issues to enhance the industry’s efficiency.
Spokesman for the House, Akin Rotimi, reinforced Bamidele’s statements, highlighting the urgent matters for consideration, including the 2025 Appropriation Bill, constitutional review, and electoral reforms. He stressed the importance of timely submission from the executive to facilitate thorough scrutiny and public engagement.
Rotimi also pointed out that the House is dedicated to maintaining the January-December budget cycle and addressing pressing national issues, such as recent flooding in Maiduguri and growing insecurity. He noted that bills aligned with the legislative agenda would be prioritized, reflecting the Assembly’s commitment to good governance.
Furthermore, the ongoing constitutional review process is crucial for democracy, with the House reaffirming a December 2025 deadline for definitive outcomes on amendments. The Committee on Constitution Review, led by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, will accelerate the consideration of approximately 305 public memoranda and 150 proposed alteration bills received from members, underscoring the significant public engagement in this process.
