President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday requested the Senate consideration and passage of the 2016 budgets for over 30 government agencies.

The President’s request was contained in a letter read at plenary by the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, in accordance with the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007.

The budget proposals of the various specialised agencies come two months after the 2016 budget was passed by the National Assembly and assented to by the president.

The agencies, whose budgets were forwarded for Senate consideration and approval, were Bureau of Public Enterprises, National Agencies for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, Nigerian Shippers Council, and the National Maritime Authority.

Also included in the list were Raw Materials Research and Development Council, National Sugar Development Council, Nigerian Postal Service, Nigerian Ports Authority, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, and Securities and Exchange Commission.

Others were, the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, Nigerian Communications Commission, National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control, Nigerian Customs Service, National Broadcasting Commission and the National Insurance Commission.

The list also included, News Agency of Nigeria, Nigerian Copyrights Commission, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Federal Inland Revenue Service, Nigerian Immigration Service and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission.

Other agencies listed were, Central Bank of Nigeria, Radio Nigeria, Federal Housing Authority, Nigerian Television Authority, National Automotive Design and Development Council, Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority, National Business and Technical Examination Board and     Federal Mortgage Board.

The rest were, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, Industrial Training Fund, Corporate Affairs Commission, Standards Organisation of Nigeria, and the Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority.

Buhari said, “Please note that in line with the provisions of the Act, budget of the agencies and corporations which have being privatised or otherwise sees to exist are not included therein.

“May I please pray the Senate to expeditiously consider and approved the budget of these agencies and corporations to enable them effectively execute their mandate. Please accept Mr Senate President, the assurances of my highest esteem” PUNCH