NIGERIA'S FINANCE MINISTER APPEARS BEFORE HOUSE OF REPS.

Minister of Finance Ngozi Okonjo Iweala says the challenges facing the implementation of the 2013 Appropriations Act cannot be addressed by a supplementary Budget bill.

Dr Okonjo Iweala who was appearing before the House joint Committee on Appropriation, Finance and Legislative Compliance in Abuja today, noted that there would be no basis to use a supplementary appropriation in resolving the problem as the country was facing revenue shortfall at the moment.

Dr NGOZI OKONJO-IWEALA

The Minister who described the state of the nation's economy as relatively good, said the country would however need to take a decisive action against crude oil theft.

It will be recalled that the House had through a motion, summoned the Minister to appear before the panel and explain her alleged statement to the effect that government would not be able to meet its obligations to workers if the amendment being sought to the 2013 Appropriations Act fby President Goodluck Jonathan was not approved soon.