NEWS:National Assembly Joint Committee Approves INEC’s Component Budget For 2019.

The N143bn request made by President Muhammadu Buhari as budget of the Independent National Electoral Commission for the conduct of 2019 general elections have been adopted by the joint committee of the National Assembly.

This was reached yesterday after a 30mins closed-door meeting of the committee made up of senators and members of the House of Representatives, in Abuja.

DatTIVgeh learnt that members of the committee sought to comprehend the practicability of either adopting INEC’s entire budget of N189bn or the N143bn component which the President requested should be vired from some projects in the 2018 budget.

Co-Chairman of the committee, Senator Suleiman Nazif, while speaking with newsmen after the meeting said, “The joint committee sat and deliberated (upon) the position (and agreed) to adopt the N143 billion as presented by Mr. President.

“At this point in time, it is also the wish of this committee that INEC represents their budget of N143bn as requested by Mr President.“So, INEC has an opportunity to reprioritise and this committee will be ready to receive them tomorrow. This committee will be reconvening tomorrow by 1pm so that we can consider the presentation by INEC.”

“Is that a true reflection of what we discussed at the joint committee?”  The members answered “Yes.”

However, the INEC team is expected to appear before the committee with a revised copy of its budget for consideration.