₦airaland Forum

The way that commitee chairman spoke to the minister was most disgracefull. I bet that he does'nt have half her qualification. Where would he have seen her to speak to her like that if she was still world bank MD? You give a man small power and her thinks the world is at his feet. These are the kind of commitee chairmen that ministers like denzani maduake and stella oduah should appear before. The clash of ego's would cause an earthquake.

Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on Thursday presented the 2014 budget estimate of N4.6tr to the National Assembly.
She laid the document on the table before the senators during their plenary, presided over by Senate President David Mark.
Mark said the action was in conformity with section 81 of the 1999 Constitution as amended,  which empowered the President to communicate the budget to the National Assembly.
Iweala,  who was accompanied to the Senate by some of her colleagues in the cabinet and the Director-General of the Budget Office,  explained to journalists after her assignment that the aggregate expenditure of  N3.73tr was expected as revenue.
She, however, said the SURE-P fund was not part of the estimated budget.
She put the capital expenditure  at about N1.1tr, which according to her, is about 27 per cent of the budget.
The balance, she added, was the recurrent expenditure,“which is about 72 per cent of the budget.”
She said,“This budget is the budget for job creation and inclusive growth; meaning that its a budget which will continue the president’s transformation agenda for several sectors of the economy.
“The budget is going to support the push in agriculture; it will kick-start the housing sector where we can create more jobs; it is designed to promote our policies that would support manufacturing because jobs would be created there.
“Industries will also be created in solid minerals. All these support will continued to be unleashed.  Job creation is the key to really solving the problems of the Nigerian economy.”

http://nigeriannewspapers.disnaija.com/punch/okonjo-iweala-presents-n4-6tr-budget-to-national-assembly/

In a way this is how the framers of the bicameral legislature wanted it to be. An upper house of distinguished men, older men, men who debate bills with common sense and realism rather than passion. Then a lower house of younger people, passionate people, who debate bills as it concerns their constituencies interest and not national. They tend to make rash decisions and it is the job of the upper house to check and balance those rash decisions. E.g the u.k house of lords and house of commons, u.s senate and house of representatives, canadian senate and house of commons,etc..

Ladies and gentlemen, today i saw the difference between the senate and house of representatives. I now know why one is higher and the other is lower. The senators were so gracious and respectfull. Everything went without a single distraction. They are really distinguished senators. Meanwhile the representatives are just kids. The section was noise,chants and jeers throughout. I think i understand why jonathan declined attending but i still think they would have shown the president a level of respect.

At 11:00am this morning, the minister for finance and cordinating minister for the economy, ngozi okonjo iweala presented the 2014 budget to both house of the national assembly on behalf of pres. Jonathan. Mrs okonjo iweala first laid the budget before the senate where everything went on smoothly and within minutes, she and her entourage laid the bill and were excused from the senate chamber.

However, when the minister arrived the house of representative and was invited by the speaker to lay the house. She was met with shouts of "APC...APC..APC" by members of the opposition, apparently making clear their ownership of the chamber due to their new found majority. Members of the PDP responded by shouting PDP too. The minister then went on to shake hands with the PDP house leaders prompting APC members to demand she shakes their leaders too. She did. Prompting more chants of "APC" from the opposition and return chants of "PDP" by it's members. The minister left the chamber in noise and rival chants. This might have been the reason the president declined presenting the budget himself, and nigerians are beginning to see the consequences for the first time in our democracy of divided government.

Fighting boko haram, coming out of a 6 months long ASUU strike and now facing another by doctors, accusation of massive corruption, missing public money, defection by party members, defecting representatives, defecting governors, possibility of defecting senators, facing the possibility of being the first PDP president to govern with an opposition legislature. growing loss of support among nigerians, a crumbling party, increasing challenging reelection prospect,etc this is essentially a make or break moment for his presidency.. If you were to meet a conflicted and troubled president goodluck ebele jonathan at his office in aso rock and he ask you. What do i do? How would you advice him to handle this challenging phase in his presidency and emerge victorious afterwards?

Ameachi threw the bomb. I saw him do it to frame bipi and wike.

Oh! Thank God!! The senate has finally ban gay marraige. All our problems as a nation will start disappearing one by one. I'm tired of all these gays waiting in line at churches and courts asking to be married. Thank God we have such a fuctioning government in nigeria that solves the most pressing issues!

Nigeria,afganistan and pakistan are the only three countries in the world were polio is endemic...is it not shamefull that nigeria is on such a list? Should'nt eradicating polio and removing our name from that list be the top priority of our first lady? There are a lot of issue affecting women and children in this nation and rather than leading state first ladies in fighting them, this women is busy playing politics. It's just wrong and sad.

It will be a cold day in hell before this happens!!!!!!!

manny4life: Having read this, I realized that I wasted my good ole time arguing with you. For you to say "there hasn't been any detailed document outlining revenue and expenditure proves further that I've been wasting my time, obviously you're just a new kid on the block who has no idea on what a budget is and what the U.S. Budget Office does and the process involved. As you rightly put it, there's no need arguing with you, I'm done. My advice is STOP SPREADING FALSEHOOD.

i seem to have mistook senate democrats not passing a budget in 3 years to the united states not passing a budget in 3 years. I apologise for the mix up and apprecaite your clearification.

Very soon soldeirs will be goose stepping and saluting generalissimo rochas okorocha on the streets of owerri.

biafranqueen: You, call me now and Afam are trying for themoo. This confirms to me that I have been arguing with children that have not passed primary 3 level of education. They may need some years to understand what you people have written

what is this one saying?

manny4life: I just proved to you that without a budget, the U.S. Govt cannot function, IT IS THE LAW. I cited the Oct 1st as an example, there was NO BUDGET, and Congress was NOT willing to pass a spending authority, till after shutdown... If there was an authority in place prior to Sept 30th, FG won't shutdown (FACT), if there was a budget passed, the FG won't shutdown (FACT), so please, spare me the falsehood about the FG operating for years without a budget. That's very incorrect. The budget debate going on now in Congress is there for a reason, if it isn't resolved by Jan 15th, the govt will shutdown AGAIN (FACT).

this arguement is going no where as you have choosen to dwell in your echo chamber. You don't know what a budget is apparently that is why you could'nt understand the story i posted which clearly states that the u.s congress has'n passed a budget in 3 years. It has'nt passed a detailed document outlining revenue and expenditure in 3 years. It's only currently that paul ryan and patty murray have come up with a budget that is about passing the senate. If there has been such a budget please post a link to like the congressional budget office,u.s treasury,etc...

manny4life: You of all people tired of talking? Lol... I was right after all, the difference between you and I is that you look around via Google, I on the other hand was affected by the shutdown. I have TONS of agency emails explaining why the govt shutdown, I saw the protest from downtown to other places, different media interview, what media people write CAN NEVER take the place of actual experience... I rest my case... NO MORE TALKING.

amazing how you have abandoned substance. Our arguement here is of the u.s can go years without budget and i just proved it. You're here talking about how the shutdown affected you. Well i also saw the protest at the white house fence,world war 2 memorial,etc..but that's not out issue. Or is it?

manny4life: Please stop beating around in circle, you stated that the government can go without a budget, here is your statement again.



This just shows you either Google or have no clue on what you're talking about. The way you muddled the budget and debt ceiling is too amazing, I like how you twist and turn things around. Year 11, 12 and 13 had budgets passed and approved by Congress, the govt shutdown on Oct 1st simply because left and right wingers couldn't agree, which was the impasse, there was a whole lot on the table particularly the fiscal cliff involving sequestration/budget cuts, tax benefits and extension, and then you have the "Defund Obamacare".

However, the treasury had spending authority up till Oct 14th or 15th I believe, the govt already shutdown two weeks prior to that because the govt's fiscal cycle starts from Oct 1st to Sept 30th, so please don't mix up the two. After the govt shutdown for 16days and reopened on Oct 17th, the republicans decided to go along with democrats and pass a temporary spending bill that will authorize govt to reopen as well as give them borrowing authority to give them ample time to deal with the budget sequestration.

tired of talking.

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2012/0214/No-budget-No-problem!-The-strange-politics-behind-a-budgetless-America

Pres. Jonathan today welcomed to aso rock a high level u.s diplomatic delegation to aso rock led by the u.s permanent representative to the u.n, samanta powers and the new u.s ambassador to nigeria. Ruben abati tweeted the photo's.

taharqa: In oda words, you were wrong when you EXPRESSLY said that at No time has an official rep the President present the budget physicali b4 d NA And that Presidents physicali present d annual budget b4 their NAs. Thnk you very mush..... I accept the correction on who laid that budget in 2010. Thnks again.

you're most welcome. But let me make myself clear...never at anytime when their was no crisis in the presidency has the president sent someone to present the budget.

manny4life: The bold part is simply outrageous and very untrue, if this was the case, how come on Oct 1st, 2013, the FG shutdown because there was a budget impasse? Next is, budgets are presented before Congress (both houses) where deliberation begins by Congressional leaders.

what budget impass? The issue then was a government shutdown. The inability of democrats and republicans to agree to a budget in 3 years caused them to run governent by make shift legislation and monetary allocation. So on the 1 of oct. The u.s government was going to run out of money if congress does'nt release some. Republicans refused saying before they release more money, obama must either defund or delay his healthcare law for one year. He refused and the government shut down. After days of shutdown and pressure. The republicans finally legislated funding for the government till january 15 2014 and the government reopened. Do you understand?

eGuerrilla: Budget Office Of The Federation

I see where Presido gets his wiggle room from - "the President shall cause to be prepared and laid before each House of the National Assembly"

it is highly disrespectfull of the presidency to send a minister not even the vice president, but a minister to do this when there is no crisis in the presidency whatsoever stopping the president or his vice from carrying this out.

taharqa: The budget for 2010 was not laid by Yar'adua, but by d Finance Minister. And Does d President of USA physically present d budget to d US Congress annually?... Anyways, we await d reason for d move by d Presidency...

the 2010 budget presentation was not presented by a minister, it was actually presented by sen. Mohammed abba aji, special adviser to pres. Yar adua on national assembly and that was because the president was sick in saudi arabia. And due to the controversy surrounding succession to the presidency jonathan recused himself. Due to the fact that no one could do it, sen. Aji was allowed to but not in a joint session of the assembly. He presented the budgets to each house individualy and did'nt utter a word in the process talk less of a speech. Secondly the united states does not operate government as childishly as nigeria. The u.s government can go years without passing a budget. Budgets are not even presented. They are agreed upon by the president and congressional leaders then put to a vote.

Ngwakwe: Who said it's normal or made excuse for President GEJ?

are you suffering from dementia? are'nt you the person here saying the minister of finance suppose to present budgets.

gtrust: Youngman,

It is not my fault that you don't like the figures the minister of finance presents to the national assembly.
I have always watched them.
A little research will solve your ignorance.

The President presents the State of the Nation Address and included in this is 'the estimates' of the budget.
This is usually a big ceremony and massive security.

There is another session where the minster of finance comes to the house to give the details of the budget, ONLY people like me who need these figures and 'knowledge of the direction government wants to take' are interested in this session.
They are also published separately in the Newpapers.

Please, spend your energy to do some research and leave politics for politicians.
I am not sure if you want me to start teaching you how to do research here, but I don't mind doing that.

oldman,

you have not answered my question. Tell me the precedence for that. Since 1999 which minister has come before a joint session of the national assembly to give details of a budget.

In the world, which country with a presidential system of government has had it's minister for finance give details of the budget to a joint session of the legislature? This is'nt rocket science. Just mention them.

It's so funny that the presidency has not released a statement stating why the finance minister is going in place of the president but the jonathan defence league are already here confusing themeselves and telling all kinds of lies.

gtrust: Youngman!
Presentation of the budget if the job of the Minister for Finance in a Presidential system of Government and the Chancellor of the Exchequer in a Paliamentary system.

State of the Nation Address is the Job of the President and ONLY the President!
During the State of the Nation's Address by the President, you get 'hints' of the next National budget!

Go and dust your civics notes right away, run!

what a disgrace! I can't belive this. Since 1999. Tell me which minister has ever presented a budget to the national assembly. Also tell mention any country with a presidential system of government where the finance minister or treasury secretary has presented a budget before the legislature. I'm waiting.

Ngwakwe: The Political Climate in Nigeria is highly polarised, moreover, economics of budgeting is not his forte as some disgruntled law makers may wish to challenge and expose his weaknesses during the presentation (by demanding facts and figures) in a bid to ridicule and render him unelected come 2015.

This is just a calculated risk which he thinks will favour him for now.

when did the presidential budget presentation become a question and answers section? What is so complication about reading a speech about a budget you want to pass into law? What is so technical about it that all presidents since 1999 have done even jonathan has done three times. What makes now so different? Ochestrating anything to say no matter how ridiculous to defend the indefensible are the traits of a brutally dishornest person.

gtrust: In most civilized Nations, the office of minister for finance and headed by the finance mininster ALWAYS presents the budget!
Check it out.
You can even watch United Kingdom budget presentation right now on YouTube!
It is usually a big occasion when you see the minister for finance carrying the 2000 years old small red briefcase and parading it infront of the media before heading to the chambers to read it.

Stop being 'sentimental without facts'!

hey mister! This is not a parliamentary system of government. So in your bid to defend this shambolic action you want to challenge a constitutional requirement that the president address a joint session of the national assembly once a year? And who told you that the president appearing before the joint session is just to present a budget? The president also outlines his achievement for the years and what he intends doing the next. As leader of the country his speech will encompass the budget, works, healthcare, education,etc. So by your own twisted knowledge where the finance minister gives the speech, she speaks of only her field and then gives way for the education minister, he finished gives way to the health minister,etc. Such pathetic thinking. Even in the u.k where the chancellor of the exchequer presents the autumn statement, the prime minister still recaps all he has said as leader of the government. So the united states where the president delivers the annual state of the union address is not a civilized country?

Partisanship has made you throw caution to the wind and vomit this abominable comment. It's revolting.

Why would the president send a minister to present the national budget and address a joint session of the national assembly? Not even the vice president. That's rather insulting and unprecedented. I suggest and senate president and speaker refuse such a request. If the two topmost men in the nation are two busy to do this which is outright impossible. Then they should just send the budget with a letter. A joint session of the national assembly cannot meet to be addressed by a minister.

Politics must not be injected into everything.

The Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala will on Thursday present the 2014 Budget to the joint session of the National Assembly.
She will perform the task on behalf of President Goodluck Jonathan who is unavailable for undisclosed reasons.
The presentation of the 2014 budget has postponed twice due to disagreement between the Senate and the House of Representatives on crude oil benchmark.
Both chambers posted different figures on the oil benchmark.

http://thenationonlineng.net/new/okonjo-iweala-present-2014-budget-thursday/

THE MANY FACES OF PDP.
Judiciary restates timothy nsirim as obio akpor chairman- the judiciary is the last bastion of hope for the commonman and great defender of rivers people.

Judiciary rules against bipi as speaker- judiciary is a willing tool in the hands of ameachi.

Goddex: See how Ameachi abuses his powers and corrupts the Judiciary?
A case filed on Friday was ruled on Monday.

you and the rivers state PDP chairman are draging the prize for biggest idiot of the year award. Where is the law that give minimum time limit before cases are decided upon? Is'nt that at the judges descision? People open their gutter mouth to complain that the judiciary is too slow and ineffective now the judiciary expediates judgement and it is attacked because of politics, pityfull!!

talktimi: how does one actually respond to your crass stupidity ? Do you really and honestly know anything about the security set up around the Rivers state govt house apart from the soap opera Amaechi feeds you guys with ? For once in your life try and be truthful to yourself abeg. Dont expect me to believe that bullcrap youre selling that the Rivers govt house has no police protection, its a very wicked fallacy on your part and i cant reconcile how a grown adult with logical thinking abilities would bandy this sh1t. Once again I dare you to go round the Rivers govt house at ANY time of the day & dilly dally aimlessly whether you no go take your eyes see your ear. Dan iska

you see raining abuses on me and talking vaguely about the issue which proves you don't know anything about what you speak of. Even the CP admits that security around the governor has been reduced. Early this year when gov. Ameachi was in bonny street. Town, port harcourt to inspect the new integrated cultural center, people were shocked at the lack of protection. His protection was constituted by a few men in suit. No policemen were in sight except a few by the road who were all seated in their van. A day after the fracas at the rivers state house of assembly earlier this year, a cannister of tear gas was thrown over the government house fence while the state executive council was meeting. The smoke abruptly ended the meeting as the governor and his cabinet exited the councol chamber coughing and gasping for air. Theses are many more are'nt fallacies fed toi me my anyone. They are facts i have seen and it will be good for you to get facts too before speaking.