The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon Yakubu Dogara, has assured Nigerians that the House would pass the 2016 budget in March.
The Speaker gave the assurance when he received a delegation from the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) in his office on Thursday.
According to a statement issued by his spokesman, Turaki Hassan, he said that although the budget had some imperfections, the legislators would ensure that it impacted positively on the lives of its citizens when passed.
According to him, the lawmakers were aware of the responsibilities placed on them in ensuring that they scrutinised and ensured a good budget, and liaise with heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to produce a good document.
“Hopefully by next month, we will have it ready”, he said.
The Speaker also said that failure to diversify the economy in the past was responsible for the economic challenges bedeviling the country.
According to the Speaker, the House of Representatives will soon begin sectoral debates where Ministers and other Heads of Agencies would be called upon to address the members on the prospects and challenges of their organisations, with a view to improving on their services.
Dogara further stated that the House has commenced debate on some laws earmarked for review, adding that the country needed to have very competitive laws that would boost business, as obtainable in other countries.
The president of the association, Chief Bassey Edem, appealed to the legislators to look into the challenges facing businesses such as infrastructure – with special emphasis on power and transportation, with a view to addressing them.
Chief Edem commended the House of Representatives on the work so far done on the 2016 budget, and also reminded the House of Nigerians’ expectations.
He urged the House to enact laws that would encourage business growth.
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