The Office of the Clerk of the National Assembly on Thursday appeared before the Standing Committee on Finance and Public Accounts (FPAC) to defend the Assembly’s proposed budget for the 2027 fiscal year.
The appearance marked the beginning of the formal defence of the National Assembly’s 2027 draft budget, as parliamentary committees also commenced bilateral budget discussions with ministries, departments and agencies ahead of the new fiscal year.
According to the National Assembly, the engagements followed the conclusion of a pre-budget analysis retreat held over the weekend, where lawmakers reviewed revenue trends, fiscal assumptions and proposed sectoral allocations.
The bilateral sessions form part of the Assembly’s budget scrutiny process, providing committees with an opportunity to examine the proposed estimates of revenue and expenditure in greater detail.
During the sessions, ministries, departments and agencies are expected to justify their proposed allocations and respond to questions from lawmakers on their spending plans, priorities and how the requested funds would be utilised.
The National Assembly said the engagements are expected to continue over the coming days as committees conduct sector-by-sector analysis of the proposed 2027 budget.
The process will precede the formal consideration of the Appropriation Bill in plenary.
The committee hearings form part of the parliamentary process leading to the consideration of the 2027 Appropriation Bill, which, when passed, will authorise government spending for the 2027 fiscal year.
