The lawmakers urged the FCT authorities to make the proposal available latest next week at or risk zero allocation for the fiscal year.
The N607.962 billion 2022 budget for the FCT ran into troubled waters when after the presentation for a second reading by the Leader, Ibrahim Gobir (APC, Sokoto East), James Manager (PDP, Delta South) questioned why the proposal was coming in October.
The manager reminded senators that the year the proposal was meant to serve is less than three months to its end and called for its outright rejection.
He said: “Mr. President if I heard the Senate Leader right, the N607 billion appropriation bill, presented for second reading, is for the FCT and is to be implemented in the 2022 fiscal year, which is less than three months to roll away.
“This is very unfortunate and must be stopped. What were the people saddled with drafting the proposal doing since January? Are they aware we are already in the 10th month of the year?”
The senator representing FCT, Philip Aduda, sought to prevent rejection of the proposal through an apology on behalf of the FCT minister, saying: “Mr. President, it is very unfortunate that the 2022 FCT budget is being submitted for consideration in October. But I seek the indulgence of this Senate to consider it by passing it for second reading, as moved by the Leader.”
Senate President Ahmad Lawan, however, described the development as unfortunate and unacceptable.
He directed the chairman of, the Senate Committee on FCT, Smart Adeyemi (APC, Kogi West), to liaise with FCT Minister, Muhammad Bello, and ensure the proposal is submitted next week.
He said: “Honestly speaking, this should not be accepted by us. But for the interest of the innocent residents of FCT, it will be considered.
“However, similar action from the FCT will not be accepted, as far as the late budget submission is concerned.
“In fact, as a warning in that direction, FCT should unfailingly submit for consideration its proposed budget for 2023 next week or keep to itself.”
