After four days of intense debate in the Senate, the 2014 Appropriation Bill has scaled through the crucial second reading in the upper chamber.
The second reading of the budget is perhaps an indication that the APC caucus in the Senate did not heed the directive of the party to block all executive bills.
The Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over plenary on Tuesday, commended the lawmakers for allowing the budget to go through second reading.
The bill has been forwarded to the Senate Committees on Appropriation and Finance, for further legislative work and the joint committee has three weeks to conclude its work and report back to the Senate.
Setback In The House
While the 2014 Appropriation Bill appears to be having a smooth sail in the Senate, that seems not to be the case in the lower chamber.
The bill suffered a setback on Tuesday in the House of Representatives, as debate on the draft law was brought to a halt after two members presented opposing views on its consideration.
Consequently, the Speaker of the House, Aminu Tambuwal, has set up a 6-man committee to look into the views and present a position to guide the House.
