2017 Budget: Jibrin Says No Lesson Has Been Learnt From Budget Padding Scandal

SAN FRANCISCO, October 28, (THEWILL) – Suspended member of the House of Representatives, Abdulmumin Jibrin, has expressed disappointment that the country has not learnt any lesson from the 2016 budget fraud commonly referred to as budget padding.

He made this observation in Abuja on Friday , the eve of the first 100 days since the crisis in the House of Representatives over the budget padding saga became a national issue.

The former Appropriations Committee chairman explained that nothing had changed from the process which allows budget fraud in the system.

He explained that the decision by the leadership of the National Assembly to invite the Minister of Finance and her counterpart in the Budget and National Planning Ministry after the President submitted the Medium Term Expenditure Framework is the gateway to budget padding.

According to him, “I don't believe any lesson has been learnt with what I see happening.

“The whole process of forming a small group, inviting the Minister of Budget (and National Planning) and the Minister of Finance, has started and that is where the whole problem in the appropriation process starts.”

Saturday makes it one hundred day after the face-off between the Executive and the National Assembly over the padding of the 2016 budget.

The rift led to a crisis in the Lower Chamber, which culminated in the sacking of Jibrin as the Chairman of the Appropriations Committee and his subsequent suspension from legislative duties for 180 days.