The President of the Senate, AHMAD LAWAN, has urged Nigerians not to worry about the early presentation of the 2020 budget because there are no ministers, saying it is not actually ministers who prepare budgets but civil servants.

Senator LAWAN said this while answering questions from journalists at the State House, Abuja, after a closed-door meeting with President MUHAMMADU BUHARI and the Speaker of House of Representatives, FEMI GBAJABIAMILA.

The President of the Senate said the decision to pass the budget in December is still achievable if the executive presents the budget in September.

Senator LAWAN said the National Assembly will collaborate with the executive to improve the security situation in the country and other issues bordering on economy and good governance.

Meanwhile, AHMAD LAWAN says Absence of Ministers will not Delay 2020 Budget Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), IBRAHIM MAGU, has said that some highly-placed individuals undergoing corruption probe and on the commission’s watch-list in Kwara State have procured forged police report to apply for another international passport to escape from the country.

The EFCC boss, made this revelation through the Ilorin Zonal Head of the Commission, Mr. ISYAKU SHARU, who on his behalf received the Comptroller of Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Kwara State Command, EDITH ONYMENAM.

ONYMENAM, had led other NIS senior officers on a courtesy visit to Ilorin Zonal Office of the EFCC, and the EFCC boss took advantage of the visit to submit particulars of individuals on its watch-list and under investigations in the state to the command.

MAGU said the need to familiarise the NIS with the particulars of such personalities under investigation became necessary following intelligence information at the disposal of the commission.

ONYMENAM commended the anti-graft body for the existing cordial relationship between the two agencies and pledged the support of his office to the success of the commission’s work.

The Akwa Ibom State Government has approved the harmonization of all publications of government activities, through the Ministry of Information in a bid to ensure proper management of information.

This was one of the key decisions taken, during the second term inaugural State Executive Council (EXCO) meeting presided over by Governor UDOM EMMANUEL, at the Council Chamber, Government House, Uyo.

Briefing Government House correspondents shortly after the meeting, the Commissioner of Information, Mr. CHARLES UDOH, explained that the decision of government to mandate the Information Ministry with the task, was to ensure coordination of those publications.

The Information Commissioner mentioned that the EXCO has further approved the commencement of immediate renovation of Ibom Hotels and Resort, noting that the initiative was to give a face- lift to the edifice while boosting tourism and revenue generation to the state.

He said the renovation was to be carried out in phases, adding that the Commissioner of Culture and Tourism, Mr. ORMAN ESIN, has been mandated to put out a strategy and plan for the commencement of the refurbishing project.

Edo State Governor, Mr. GODWIN OBASEKI, has said the failure of the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress to properly investigate issues in the Edo State House of Assembly caused the crisis to linger.

Governor OBASEKI spoke when the Senate Committee set up to look into the Edo Assembly crisis went to the state for its fact-finding mission.

Governor OBASEKI who thanked the Senate for deeming it fit to visit the state with a fact-finding team to understand what happened, said the crisis would not have worsened if the headship of the APC had done the same when the matter started.

Senator ALIYU ABDULLAHI said the Senate was concerned about restoring peace and order as provided for in the Constitution, adding that there was no clash with the House of Representatives Committee, as their duties are seen as a function of the National Assembly.