The initial March 30 deadline set for the passage of the 2017 Appropriation Bill may not be feasible anymore, according to the House of Representatives.
Spokesman of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abdulrazak Namdas, disclosed this information to pressmen, citing the deployment of a new software for budgeting as one of the reasons for the delay.
Namdas also disclosed that most of the House Standing Committees interfacing with the ministries, departments and agencies of government on the 2017 Appropriation Bill are behind in submitting their reports to the House Committee to facilitate passage.
“The House is doing all it takes to ensure we try to meet with the timelines of the 2017 appropriation bill as earlier scheduled.
“But if we are not able, I want to say that even the 30th of March, just for the purpose of the records, may not be sacrosanct so to say because of new developments that have arisen.”
“For example, we have a new budget software, very new budget software that is different from what were used to have before. It’s a little bit slowing down the process of the budget office and the appropriation committee.
“Apart from that, you are aware that even the FEC)on a weekly basis is approving new projects for 2017 appropriation.”
The Appropriation Bill, when passed, will be transferred to the Senate for harmonization before it is assented by the President.