Budget proposal review of MDAs is a legislative right – Femi Gbajabiamila

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, stated that the budget review on MDAs conducted by the House of Assembly is a right of the National Assembly. He added that the House of Assembly has the constitutional right to ask questions on MDA budgets.

The speaker disclosed this on Tuesday during the plenary session of the House in Abuja. The House spent most of last week grilling Ministers and Heads of MDAs over their budgets for the 2021 fiscal year.
The speaker said during the budget defence week, some MDAs Chief viewed the process as an “undue incursion”.

“I have observed during the recent budget defence process that there are still some MDAs that consider the exercise of the legislative authority to review their budget proposals as an undue incursion into the management of their offices,” he said.
“When the committees of the House of Representatives and the Senate convene to review the heads of expenditure contained in the Appropriation Bill, we do so in the exercise of clear and concise constitutional authority.”

He also added that budget review is an obligation of the House and that budgets need to be done on time.

“It is in the best interest of our country that all parties concerned subject themselves to this process in good faith knowing that this too, is an obligation of service to our country. We will pass the budget, we will do it early and we will do it right,” he added.

The speaker revealed that the House has started process to review the Electoral Act in preparation for the 2023 elections.
“Perfecting the process through which we choose the people that will serve in government is an essential requirement for the continued development of our democracy.”