Jonathan Gives Reason For Postponed 2014 Budget Address

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 President Goodluck Jonathan has explained his decision to shelve the presentation of the 2014 appropriation bill to the joint session of National Assembly last Tuesday citing “emergent circumstances” as reason for the change in plan.

The President was earlier scheduled to address the joint session of the Senate and House of Representatives on the 2014 budget proposal yesterday but changed plans on Monday, shifting the date to November 19, 2013.

In a separate letter addressed to the President of the Senate, Senator David Mark and Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, dated November 11, 2013, and titled ‘Re: 2014 Budget’ President Jonathan said: “Sequel to my letter of 23rd October, 2013, requesting that the honourable House grants me the slot of 12:00 noon on Tuesday 12th November, 2013, to enable me to formally address a joint session of the National Assembly on the 2014 budget, emergent circumstances have necessitated my having to request a new date of Tuesday, 19th November, 2013, at the same time.”

Presidency sources said the National Assembly leadership had been briefed on the postponement even before it was announced.

The source said it was “important for the stakeholders to consult more before the president’s address to the parliament.”

A newspaper had earlier reported that the president may have decided to postpone the presentation to allow the the legislators to consider the 2014-2016 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF).

Also, the president was also said to have been advised to hold on to allow time for lobbyists to calm fray nerves in the House of Representatives over disagreement on the poor implementation of the 2013 budget.

Meanwhile, Jonathan has forwarded a briefing by Defence Chiefs on the state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states to the National Assembly.

NewsInvestigators exclusively reported week that the presidency would forward the natinal security reports to NASS this week.