N23.7trilliion Ways and Means : Senate Blames Finance Minister , CBN Governor for delay

By our correspondent

The Senate has warned officials of executive arm of government needed to provide required details on passage of N23.7trillion Ways and Means Restructuring forwarded to it by President Muhammadu Buhari in December last year .

The red Chamber specifically directed the Minister of Finance , Budget and National Planning , Zainab Ahmed and Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria ( CBN) , Godwin Emefiele , to within three days supply required information on the presidential request to the special adhoc committee set up for that purpose last year .

The upper legislative chamber warned that in view of Presidential and National Assembly elections coming up next month, it will adjourned plenary this week or latest by Tuesday next week for practical participation in ongoing campaigns of political parties.

Senate ‘s warning followed request made by its Leader , Senator Ibrahim Gobir representing Sokoto East who is the Chairman of the Special Adhoc Committee set up to interface with the Finance Minister and CBN Governor for details on the N27.3trillion Ways and Means Restructuring , for additional three days.

Senator Gobir who rose through Order 40 of the Senate Standing rules under personal explanation , told his colleagues that series of attempts made by the Committee from 28th December , 2022 to Tuesday , 17th January , 2023, to meet the Finance Minister and CBN Governor for the required details proved abortive .

Worried by the submission, the President of the Senate , Ahmad Lawan in a remark said the Ways and Means request from the President , is a very serious issue that must not be taken with levity by all those concerned .