Parliament Postpones Sitting to allow finance committee to finalize review of budget

By Jenifer James

The Transitional National Legislative Assembly adjourned its sitting on Monday to give ample time to the parliamentary committee on finance to finalize the recently passed 2024/25 fiscal year budget.

 “The budget process suspended most of our activities in the House as part of the constitution and the conduct of business regulations. Now we have to resume our normal business according to the constitution and conduct of business. I would like to inform you that the budget is still with us; they have not yet reached the office of the president,” said Nathaniel Oyet Pierino, Deputy Speaker of the Assembly.

Oyet stressed the urgency of completing the budget process on time, adding that it is of paramount importance that the bill reaches the office of the president as soon as possible.

“Today, we have designated the day to interact with the Finance Committee to have a final look at the budget before dispatching it to the president for his assent,” he said.

 “We want to use today to finalize the bills and then send them to the president’s office. The budget is already late, so we must proceed with urgency,” Oyet added.

 Oliver Benjamin Mori, Spokesperson of the Assembly explained that while four items were originally on the agenda, the priority was the finalization of the budget before it could be sent to the President.

“After the budget is passed, the Finance Committee and parliamentary leadership must ensure that all recommendations are incorporated into the budget before it is presented to the head of state for assent,” he said.

The session was adjourned, with hopes that by Tuesday or Wednesday, the leadership would have completed their review, allowing the budget to be sent to the President.

“We hope the leadership will finish their assignment today, and by tomorrow, the budget will find its way to the president’s office,” said Mori.