The Minister of Budget and National
Planning Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, has called on the legislators to work
with the Federal Government in other to solve the economic recession
plaguing the country.
The minister made the call on Monday September 26, in a keynote
address presented at The Gallery Colloquium, organized by OrderPaper.ng
in Abuja.
According to him, no matter the different opinions held by Nigerians,
on who had more powers over the budget, it is necessary for the two
tiers of government to work together to steer the country out of
recession.
In his words, Udoma said “In my experience, what is required is not a
debate as to who has what power but to develop a practice and
convention that works for us here in Nigeria. What is, in my view, best
for us, is for all parties, the Executive and the National Assembly, to
seek to work together in the national interest to ensure that Nigerians
get the best possible budget.
“This is particularly important at this time when we need a 2017
Budget that provides the needed impetus to take the economy out of
recession, and onto a path of sustainable growth. “Success in producing a
good 2017 Budget will require strong collaboration between the
Executive and the National Assembly. In order to achieve this, there
must be mutual understanding and ownership of national objectives and
priorities.
“For instance, we should all agree that at this time of recession we
need to ensure prudent allocation of resources to key capital projects
that will help to lift the economy out of recession and onto the path of
sustainable growth.
“All the key stakeholders must understand and appreciate the overall
budgetary constraints as well as implications of some fiscal trade-offs.
The Executive and the Legislature have different roles in the budget
production process but these roles must be seen as complementary. The
National Assembly must not see itself as in competition with the
Executive.”
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