Missing Budget: The Search Goes On

Although the lawmakers were trying to keep the matter under wraps because it will embarrass the presidency and the country.
Even after the lawmakers were interviewed on the matter, they denied saying there was no missing budget.
Ali Ndume, the Senate leader when interviewed denied that no budget was missing as Bukola Saraki, the Senate President visited the President based on how the passage of the budget can be fast-tracked.
He said: “The budget cannot be missing. One copy can be laid, it is a symbolic copy, the budget will be in custody of both chamber, it cannot be stolen, it cannot be missing. Once the budget is laid in the National Assembly, it has become the property of National Assembly.

“Saraki’s visit to Vila is for Senate to know President priority, we want to see how we can fastrack the passage of the budget before the end of February. What is before the Senate is proposal, once the president signed it, it cannot be amended, we can turn the budget upside down, it cannot be missing, if it is online you can produce the budget how can he be missing.”



source: Naij.com

 
There were still doubts about whether the budget was missing until Sen. Ehinnaya Abaribe representing Abia state stood up on the floor of the senate demanding for explanation from Bukola Saraki, the Senate President to Nigerians.
According to Ita Enang, the Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on National Assembly Matters, a message was communicated on Sunday, January 17 to the National Assembly and the content will be discussed on the floor of the Senate during plenary.


The matter has been on the lips of Nigerians till date curious to find out what happened to the missing budget.
An individual who commented on the video on Nigeria’s biggest forum, Nairaland with the username Kennyman2000 said “Not surprised.We have been used to hearing news of a whole billions of dollars declared missing. News of a mere budget sheet getting missing shouldnt come as a surprise to us. Nigeria is a joke!
Hugh Williams from the same platform also said “this really go a long a way to show how dubious our reps are in this country and some people expect other countries to take us serious.”
Naij.com also compiled the reactions of Nigerians on twitter . See below

Each time I see certain incidence in today’s democratic dispensation, I think we were angels during our regime. #MissingBudget #MissingGirls

— Ibrahim B. Babangida (@General_IBB) January 12, 2016

Our Public Office holders should have a proper mental check. If truly there is a #MissingBudget in this administration, we are in a mess.
— Ibrahim B. Babangida (@General_IBB) January 12, 2016

If the budget of a whole nation can go missing, then we are not safe and this is not a sane country. #MissingBudget

— Ebuka Akara (@ebuka_akara) January 12, 2016

Sorry but how exactly does the country budget get missing? No extras? The soft copy? This is very laughable #MissingBudget
— Khadijah (@HRH_klover) January 12, 2016

There is no #MissingBudget ! What you should be asking now is the motive behind the obvious lie.

— JJ. Omojuwa (@Omojuwa) January 12, 2016

Saraki was busy setting up a PANEL to look for the #MissingBudget. Dogara jejely retrieved his and exchanged with the old.
— Nnamdi Anekwe-Chive (@nnamdianekwe) January 14, 2016

Just remembered that a ship, yes SHIP got missing in Nigeria so wht is a few tons of paper and USB flash! #missingbudget #change @NGRSenate

— #Bringbackourgirls (@ebaimakinde) January 12, 2016

Misplaced propriety, millions of $s spent on media to promote #TyrantBuhari,is campaign needed? #MissingBudget. pic.twitter.com/PgcVRo2GZu
— Emeka Gift (@EmekaGift) January 13, 2016

Naij.com recalls that there was a delay in the submission of the budget by the President.  The Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) document according to law was supposed to have been submitted for approval by August 2015 in line with the four months to the end of the financial year requirement stipulated in the Fiscal Responsibility Act.
However, the senate approved the harmonised version of the 2015 – 2017 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) on Thursday Mar 12, 2015.

source: Naij.com