Blueprint
Plan by both chambers of the National Assembly to pass the N16.39trillion budget this week suffered set back Wednesday as the financial requirements from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for 2023 general is yet to be presented and captured.
This is as the National Population Commission ( NPC) said that the slated National Census for next year will cost N400billion.
Last minute efforts made by the Senate Appropriation Committee to get the requirement details from INEC on the 2023 General Elections at a special session Wednesday failed as chairman of the electoral body , Professor Mahmud Yakubu, was not at the session.
The commissioner who represented INEC chairman at the session , Alhaji Zuru Abdulrahman Abdul , informed the committee that the details being sought, cannot be given by him but only the INEC chairman.
“Mr chairman and members of this distinguished committee , we have listened to you and appreciate the concern on funding the 2023 General Elections as regards the need to capture some of the projected expenses in the 2022 budget.
“But such financial details can only be given by our chairman who is presently abroad and billed to return Sunday or Monday morning.
“So in the light of this , financial details requested for shall be made available Monday next week,” he said.
The Chairman of the Committee, Senator Jibrin Barau ( APC Kano North), ruled for adjournment of the session to Monday next week.
In a brief media chat with journalists thereafter, Senator Barau said the latest development will not make passage of the 2022 budget this week possible.
“2023 General Elections and projected national head counts slated for next year are very important. That is the reason why we want to make provisions for them in the 2022 budget.
“As a result of the importance of the two, passage of 2022 budget will no longer be possible this week as earlier planned and clearly stated on our time table,” he said.
