Senate passes N17.126tn budget for 2022, to consult Reps on electoral bill

The Senate on Wednesday passed a N17.126tn budget for the 2022 fiscal year, raising the figure by N800 billion.

The Upper Chamber also said it would consult with the House of Representatives in January nest year on the next line of action on the controversial electoral bill.

The passage of the budget followed the consideration of a report by the Committee on Appropriations on the 2022 Appropriations bill.

President Muhammadu Buhari had submitted a budget of N16.391 trillion to the National Assembly.

The Senate also raised the oil benchmark to $62 as against the $52 that was proposed by the executive, while the exchange rate was retained at N410.15.

It said the increase in oil price was to reflect the current market values of the oil barrel in the international market.

In his presentation, Chairman of the Committee, Jibrin Barau (APC – Kano North), while giving highlights of the bill, said out of the total sum of N17.126tn for the fiscal year 2022, N869.6bn is for statutory transfers; N3.8tn is for debt service; N6.9tn is for recurrent expenditure; and N5.4tn for capital expenditure.

Meanwhile, Senate President Ahmad Lawan says the upper legislative chamber will consult with the House of Representatives in January on the next line of action on the electoral bill.

Speaking after a closed session on Wednesday, Lawan said the senators also agreed to consult their constituents on the issue.

President Muhammadu Buhari declined assent to the electoral bill.

Compulsory direct primaries for political parties and electronic transmission of election results are among the amendments proposed by the national assembly.

The Senate president said the consultation with the house would be done in January because the lower legislative chamber has already proceeded on recess.

“In a closed session, the Senate deliberated on matters relevant to the workings of the Senate in particular and the National Assembly in general,” he said.

He said, “The Senate, also in the closed session, discussed how to respond to the letter by Mr President on the electoral bill amendment.

“The Senate consequently resolved to consult with the House of Representatives in January both the senate and the house will be in session.

“Presently the House of Representatives has gone on recess and we all know the constitutional provision to jointly take the appropriate action. The senate also resolved to consult with our constituents.”