Senate begins debate of 2016 Budget Tuesday

By Gbenga Ogundare

The Nigerian Senate Wednesday announced that the 2016 Appropriation Bill submitted by President Muhammadu Buhari will be subject to debate by the lawmakers from Tuesday, 19th January.
The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, made the announcement during plenary.
The Budget was subject of rumour Tuesday as it was reported missing.
Shortly after the announcement by the Senate President, Sen. Enyinaya Abaribe (Abia South PDP) raised a Point of Order for the Senate to address the issue of the missing budget going round the media.
Abaribe, quoting Order 42 of the Senate Standing Rules, said the matter was discussed during the Closed Section yesterday with no feedback.
Saraki responded to the point of order on the rumored missing budget stating that it was agreed at the Closed Session yesterday.
Earlier, the senate worried that since the passage of the public procurement act in 2007, the National Council on Procurement has not been established. Senate Leader, Ali Ndume concludes saying a National Council on Public Procurement should be properly constituted.