Budget: House in Possession of List of Grey Areas

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By Damilola Oyedele

The House of Representatives has confirmed that it has identified the ‘grey areas’ in the 2016 budget which set the National Assembly at odds with the Executive resulting in President Muhammadu Buhari delaying his assent.

The House spokesperson, Hon. Abdulrazak Namdas, disclosed on Thursday while briefing newsmen that a letter from the presidency listing the areas of contention has been received.

Namdas however declined to reveal the grey areas listed by the President, as he parried questions on whether the Calabar-Lagos rail line project is included in the letter.

He also refused to explain why the letter was not read on the floor of the House at plenary, as is normal tradition with formal communication between the President and both chambers.

“The Speaker met with the President as mandated by the House…I can confirm that we are in possession of the grey areas,” he said, and also declined to disclosed when the letter was received by the House.
Namdas added that the leadership of the Senate and House have met over the letter due to the need for concurrence from the red chamber.

“They will meet with the President this week,” Namdas said.

Speaking on the ongoing trial of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Namdas explained the position of the House.

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