THE Federal Executive Council, FEC, has, approved the 2017 budget estimates, this was in Abuja yesterday after the meeting with Mr. President.
Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, briefed State House correspondents, alongside his colleague in Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola and the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, stated that the details would be made known when the President presents the document to the National Assembly, NASS
On when the document would be presented to the National Assembly, Udoma said the Presidency would communicate formerly to NASS, saying ultimately, the timing would be decided by the Parliament.
He said: “The budget has been approved by the Federal Executive Council, the details will be revealed when the President presents the budget to the National Assembly. “With regards to the date, the President will be communicating to the National Assembly and, of course, it will be at the National Assembly’s discretion ultimately.
The President will write to them and after they confirm, then the President can come to address them.” Speaking on the Medium Term Expenditure Framework, which was described as empty by the federal lawmakers, the minister denied any form of emptiness, saying the document was well prepared. This was even as he gave updates on the implementation of the 2016 budget. He said: “The MTEF was a very well prepared document after extensive consultations. We consulted the private sector, NGOs etc.”