Senate Set To Pass 2016 Budget On Feb 25 - Saraki Warns Senators Against Taking Bribes

The Senate has fixed February 25th as tentative date for the passage of the 2016 budget just as the Appropriation Bill passed second reading on Wednesday.

The Senate also announced the suspension of plenary for two weeks starting from February 2nd to 16th to enable senators concentrate on the hearing of the budget.

The N6.08 trillion budget proposal scaled second reading after four days of rigorous debate by senators on its general principle.

In his remarks, Senate President Bukola Saraki warned his colleagues against receiving any form of financial gratification from Ministers and heads of departments and agencies during the budget defence.

“Any inducement will be investigated. We must ensure that the integrity of this institution is sustained. Scrutinize the estimate and ensure that it is a document that we can all put our names on”, he said.

Shortly after the sitting, Chairman of the Committee on Appropriations, Senator Danjuma Goje (APC/Gombe Central), said the budget would be passed February 25th to enable the Executive have enough time to implement it.