Senate Resumes: Receives MTEF from the President
The Nigerian Senate has received the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) from President Goodluck Jonathan having resumed work after seven weeks of recess.
The MTEF which features production quota, Oil benchmark and revenue production is expected to cover the period of 2014 to 2016 fiscal year.
The President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, while reading the letter, expressed confidence that the early receipt of the fiscal strategy paper will ensure early passage of the federal budget as was done last fiscal year.
The letter read in part: “I forward herewith for your kind consideration, the 2014-2016 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal strategy paper. I seize the opportunity to express my gratitude for the enduring partnership between the legislative and the Executive arms of government in our collective efforts to transform the economy of our dear country. “Pursuant to the fiscal responsibility Act, 2007 the development towards the preparation of the 2014 budget have culminated in the 2014-2016 MTEF and FSP”.
“prepared against the backdrop of global economic uncertainty, the 2014-2016 MTEF and FSP reflect the reality of our circumstance and will ensure that planned spending is set at prudent and sustainable levels consistent with government’s overall medium-term development objectives”.
Also, Senate also cleared eight ambassadorial nominees earlier screened by the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs which include seven Career diplomats and one non-Career diplomat.
The Career diplomats are: Mr.O.F Muo (Imo State); Mrs Adamu Emozozo (Edo State), and Mr A. Echi (Benue State), Mrs G.M. Quist- Adebiyi (Lagos State), Mr Dauda M. (Borno), and Mr Hakeem Suleiman (Ogun State). Dr. Bolere Ketebu is the only non-Career diplomat representing Bayelsa State.
Mr President also requested the approval of the appointment of Justice Ibrahim Bukar as the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Abuja as recommended by the National Judicial Council.
The Senate adjourned plenary to Wednesday, September 18, 2013.