As President Goodluck Jonathan meets today with the leadership of the National Assembly over the 2012 budget, there are indications that the President may return the fiscal estimate for possible amendments.

Daily Champion had exclusively reported last week that the 2012 budget may have run into fresh troubles. The President was reported to have raised strong reservations about the projects, which some ministers were alleged to have smuggled into the budget.

But Senate reacting yesterday, insisted that there was no cause for alarm, saying it would be ready to listen to the President on the N4.8trillion. Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, had earlier confirmed the meeting.

The lawmakers were alleged to have tinkered with the proposed N982billion for security as well as the crude oil benchmark for the budget.

Senate had increased the benchmark for the budget from $70 per barrel of crude oil to $72.

Meanwhile, the Senate has thrown its full weight behind the ambition of the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Okonjo-Iweala , to head the World Bank .

The Upper House is expected to consider a motion endorsing the Okonjo-Iweala for the plum job the moment it resumes session on April 16.

Chairman, Senate Committee on Rules and Business, Senator Ita Enang, at a news briefing yesterday told to journalists Okonjo-Iweala has the blessing of the senate for the World Bank job.

He stated that Okonjo-Iweala is most suitable for the job and deserves all the support she needs to head the World Bank giving her landmark achievements in the financial sector.

"We take as priority the candidacy of Okonjo-Iweala for the World Bank. A motion on support for her is now before the Senate and we will consider first thing when we resume plenary", he said.

He added that the Senate is not perturbed because the 1999 Constitution gives the President 30-day window period to sign the budget into law, which has not been exhausted.

"There is no anxiety at the Senate, the President can sign the budget within 30 days, and we are not there yet", he stated.

Meanwhile, Senator Enang also gave details of the status of bills, motions, confirmations and other legislative matters done by the Senate between January 9 when the Senate resumed plenary and March 29, when it went on Easter break.

He said the Senate received 150 bills within the period under consideration, 53 of which were introduced on the floor, while 22 were read for the second time and only six were passed.

He also said 12 petitions were received and referred to the Committee on Petitions within the same period and would soon be deliberated upon by the Senate.

He further said the Senate passed 14 resolutions between January and March, which includes a resolution supporting the proclamation of a State of Emergency by President Jonathan in some Local Government Areas of Plateau, Borno, Niger and Yobe States on January 11, 2012.

Other resolutions were on the demise of elder statesmen, Chief Matthew Tawo Mbu and Prof. Sam Aluko; failed rescue attempt of the abducted British and Italian Nationals; International Women's Day celebration and the non-disbursement of Federal Statutory Funds to Local Government Areas under the state of emergency.