2024 Budget Defense: Speaker Ayambem Urges MDAs To Hasten Process

By Mary Bassey, House of Assembly Correspondent

The Speaker of Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem has urged Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) who are yet to appear before the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation for budget defense to do so immediately emphasizing that “no one is greater than Budget Defence”.

In the Speaker’s statement, “no MDA is expected to be absent from budget defense,” warning that those who disobey will face sanctions.

Ayambem made this known on Tuesday during the ongoing Budget Defence by MDAs at the Assembly complex, Calabar.

He reiterated that all Ministries and Agencies that generate revenue must make themselves available for defense to justify the government’s funding of their programs. He stressed that those who are absent at the budget defense will be awarded zero budgets.

He emphasized the significance of budget defense, maintaining that the legislative process is required by the Nigerian Constitution and is intended for accountability in governance not as a favor to the government or the Assembly.

Hon. Ayambem commended the Committee on Finance and Appropriation for their painstaking work and promised to support them to ensure the process goes smoothly.

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