By Abdullahi M. Gulloma
Abuja
Governor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina state and the former President of the Senate, Mr. Ken Nnamani, have called on President Muhammadu Buhari and members of the National Assembly to take proactive steps to address the 2016 budget impasse.
Speaking separately yesterday in Abuja with State House correspondents after a closed-door meeting with the President, the duo said there was the need for cooperation between the executive and legislative arms of government on the budget debacle.
Asked to comment on the status of the 2016 budget, Masari said: “You know I am now am executive and I signed budget for Kastina state and before I did that I made sure I knew what I am signing for,so take it as I said.”
On his part, Nnamani said: “The issue on budget? Well, budget is an area where we practice what we call co-management between the National Assembly and the executive branch of government. Both of them co-manage the economy through the budget. It’s a peculiar area; both of them will have to cooperate and collaborate for a proper budget to be passed and once it is passed, it becomes law.
“So as it stands today the situation is such that the National Assembly has to do what is called introspection. How did we get to where we are now? The year is running out and we are still talking about 2016 budget. Where is the fault from?
“Wherever it is coming from, both the executive branch and the legislature must find a quick solution to it. It does nobody any good to drag it any longer. Remember it is an area of co-management. It is not left to the executive alone; it is not left to the National Assembly alone. There has to be collaboration. I think he stands to reason, what I suggested is being studied I think is appropriate.”
