The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Adeola Olamilekan, has affirmed January 31, 2025, as a provisional date for the passage of the 2025 ₦49.7tn budget as the committee prepares to begin budget defence on Tuesday.
He made this disclosure on Monday during a meeting with the chairmen of relevant committees on the template for the 2025 Budget Defence Session to guide the budget process towards its eventual signing into law.
Olamilekan further revealed that upon the resumption of plenary by the 14th of January 2025, the Senate would immediately commence a two-week break for the seamless continuation of the budget defence process.
He equally revealed a planned retreat on Thursday on the budget consideration which will involve ministries, departments and agencies, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders in the polity for further consultation and insight into the content of the budget proposal
According to the timetable, from the 15th to the 18th of January, it is expected that the committees would report back on their documents, after which collation and tiding of documents by the Appropriation Committee.
Acknowledging the limited timeframe, Olamilekan emphasised the need for lawmakers to intensify their efforts. He also urged his colleagues to forgo their holidays and begin immediate work on the proposed budget estimate, underscoring the importance of timely and efficient handling of the budget process within the stipulated timeframe.