Executive Can Only Run Fast, But Not Far Without Legislature – Dogara

Speaker Yakubu Dogara has stressed the importance of synergy between the arms of government in order to maximize the benefits of governance.

Dogara while giving the closing remarks at the 2018 budget presentation by President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday at a joint session of the National Assembly stated that the executive can only run fast, but would not go far without the legislature.

“The success of this event separates us as true Leaders who in the midst of a hazy Executive – Legislative relationship elected not to turn on ourselves but to turn to each other in the very interest of our constituents and national progress. This is the way we must go as our Constitutional Order is organized in a way that deliberately denies any of the three Arms the strength to go at it alone on any national issue. Where that has happened, it is progress that suffers. That reminds us of the adage that says, “If you want to go fast, go alone but if you want to go far, go together”. Examples abound on how fast but not far, the Executive have gone on some national issues where they have decided to go alone. There is no national challenge we cannot overcome if we work together,” Dogara said.

The speaker expressed the worry that the 2017 was “totally abandoned” by the executive, noting that “fiscal indiscipline is as grievous a problem as corruption.”

“Mr. President, as legislators, what agitates us is the prospects of totally abandoning the 2017 Budget and the dire consequences of doing so. The questions that must be answered include whether we have effectively enforced 2017 fiscal targets and whether managers have complied with the budget as authorized by the legislature. Our experience with the implementation of the 2016 Budget amply demonstrates that obeying our Appropriation Laws maximizes the release of our potentials while violating the Appropriation Laws caps the release of our national potentials. This means that we have to redouble our efforts in implementing the 2017 Budget, if we must retire it in January or at the very least roll over most of the projects in 2017 budget to 2018. No need to remind us that fiscal indiscipline is as grievous a problem as corruption which this Government is busy eliminating.”

He further hinted that given the lack of consultations on the 2018 budget, there could be considerable delay in the passage of the budget.

“Once again, let me place it on record that the 2018 Budget preparations suffer from inadequate consultations between the MDAS and various over- sighting Committees of the National Assembly. Consequently, one can only hope and pray that it does not lead to delay in consideration and passage of the Budget,” the speaker said.