President Mohammadu Buhari has called on the National Assembly to use the occasion of its maiden Open Week to reflect on the areas of concern he raised while signing the 2018 budget into law.
The President stated this in Abuja, while addressing senators and members of the House of Representatives at the occasion.
Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, Buhari expressed disappointment that the lawmakers could not conclude legislative work on the budget in stipulated period for lack of legislative-executive collaboration.
“I must also mention that government has noted the detailed response to the issues raised at the signing of the 2018 budget.
“The point to underscore firmly is that, a stronger and more cordial executive-legislative relationship must exist in the interest of the nation and the people that elected us into office. It must be a win-win situation for all Nigerians,” Buhari said.
President Buhari had, while signing the N9.12 trillion 2018 budget last June, complained that the National Assembly made cuts from key projects and also inserted new ones, which he said would make it “extremely difficult for him to implement the budget.”
Senate President Bukola Saraki advocated for a mutual cooperation between the National Assembly and the executive, stressing that “there is no need working at cross purposes.”
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, believes the solution to the lingering legislative-executive friction remains an appreciable observance of the principles of rule of law, separation of powers, and checks and balances.
