By Dipo Olowookere
Nigerian upper parliament has disclosed that it would commence work on the N8.612 trillion 2018 appropriation bill presented to the joint session of the National Assembly by President Muhammadu Buhari last Tuesday.
This disclosure was made yesterday by the Senate President, Mr Bukola Saraki, during plenary at the red chamber.
Mr Saraki announced to his colleagues on Thursday that they will consider the general principles of the 2018 budget on Wednesday, November 22, 2017 and on Thursday, November 23, 2017.
The Senator President further told the lawmakers that any one of interested in participating in the debates next week should register on Monday.
Mr Saraki stated that copies of the bill would be made available to them by Monday for their scrutiny.
At the close of debate next Thursday, the appropriation bill would be referred to the Senate Committee on Appropriation for further legislative scrutiny and action.
Addressing newsmen after plenary session on Thursday, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Mr Aliyu Sabi-Abdullahi, explained that the distribution of copies to the lawmakers had been delayed because the bill was a voluminous document.
He also said the pending 2018-2020 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper would be processed simultaneously with the 2018 budget.
Adedapo Adesanya