A bill for act to establish an independent National Assembly budget and research office passed second reading on the floor of the Senate.
The bill, which was sponsored by Babajide Omoworare, chairman Senate Committee on Rules and Business, seeks to ensure timely and non-partisan analysis needed for economic and budget decisions.
In his lead debate, Omoworare said the bill would give legal backing to the office, which is already in existence to enable it function properly.
He said it had become necessary to give the office a legal backing for full operation in view of controversies that characterised annual budgets in the country.
He said: “The office will help save cost and block loopholes within budgets that have become drain pipes. The office will also ensure an indelible input of trained democrats, who will help us with figures and statistics for a good budget. It will equally help the executive and legislature to be on the same page.”
The lawmaker pointed out that the budget research office would also assist in budget oversight, adding that the National Institute for Legislative Studies (NILS) was the closest office carrying out such function.
He recalled that the bill was passed and sent for assent twice in previous assemblies but was not assented to.
He expressed hope that the bill would be passed by the 8th Senate and assented to by President Muhammadu Buhari.
While citing Uganda as one of the African countries with a budget research office, he said the institution would work in a conventional manner like other budget offices and carry out annual budget reviews.
Senators who contributed to the debate submitted that the National Assembly Budget and Research Office would assist in budget tracking, oversight, analysis as well as inform the legislature on better approach to take during annual budget considerations.
But some senators lamented the nonchalant approach towards the take-off of the office in spite of the huge amount of money released for its take off in previous years.
They charged the present government to see to the establishment of the office in view of its importance, adding that it would help the legislature to properly scrutinise budgets because experts would be involved.
In his remarks, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over the session called on the Executive to present annual budget early to allow for early passage and implementation.
He referred the bill to the Committees on Establishment and Public Service and Appropriations, to report back in four weeks.
