A Bill for an Act to establish the National Assembly (NASS) Budget and Research Office has scaled second reading in the Senate.
If eventually passed, the bill sponsored by the Deputy Senate President, Sen. Barau Jibrin, will provide the National Assembly with objective, timely and non-partisan analysis needed for economic and budget decisions.
The Bill is expected to run concurrently with the budget office of the executive.
In a debate, the lawmakers argue that the bill which has suffered rejection in previous assemblies over the last 20 years, remains critical in strengthening legislative efficiency and ensuring the budget passed by the executive, is thoroughly scrutinised.
Although there was one dissenting voice, all other senators argued in favour of its passage.
The deputy senate President expressed hope that the President would give assent to the bill when eventually passed in the interest of democracy.
The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Appropriation to report back in four weeks