Reps Okay Extension of 2023 Budget Implementation

The House of Representatives on Thursday passed the 2023 Appropriation Act (Amendment) Bill 2024 and the 2023 Supplementary Appropriation Act (Amendment) 2024, seeking an extension of the implementation of the capital aspect of the 2023 budget. President Bola Tinubu presented the bills to the parliament, which were passed after a heated debate.

President Bola Tinubu’s Proposal

President Bola Tinubu presented the two bills, the 2023 Appropriation Amendment Bill, 2024, and the 2023 Supplementary Appropriation Amendment Bill, 2024, through a letter transmitted to the parliament. The bills seek to extend the implementation of the capital aspect of the 2023 Appropriation Act and the 2023 Supplementary Appropriation Act from June 30, 2024, to December 31, 2024. This move aims to provide more time for the completion of ongoing projects initiated under these budgets.

House Deliberations

During the deliberations in the House, there were differing opinions among members regarding the extension of the budgets. While some members supported the extension, others raised concerns about the potential challenges of running multiple budgets concurrently. The minority leader, Kingsley Chinda, expressed apprehension about the burden on the Federal Government if multiple budgets were to be implemented simultaneously. The disagreement among the House members reached a crescendo, prompting Speaker Abbas to call for an executive session to address the issues before continuing the deliberation on the bills.

Also read: Tinubu’s Budget Proposal Sparks Discord in House of Reps

Pushback and Approval

After a closed-door session, and despite the opposition raised by some members, the House members ultimately voted in favor of all clauses in the two bills, extending the life cycle of the 2023 budget implementation. Members emphasized the importance of completing capital projects that would benefit the citizens and advocated for putting aside party differences in the interest of the Nigerian people. The Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, urged his colleagues to consider the security implications of the 2023 supplementary budget, which he mentioned is predominantly focused on security-related issues.

Senate’s Decision

It is worth noting that the Senate had previously extended the life cycle of the 2023 supplementary budget from June 30 to December 31, 2024. The approval from both chambers of the National Assembly indicates a unified effort to ensure the successful implementation of the 2023 budgets and the completion of vital projects across the country.

In conclusion, the decision by the House of Representatives to approve the extension of the 2023 budget implementation reflects a commitment to fulfilling governmental obligations and delivering essential services to the Nigerian populace. Despite differing opinions among members, the majority consensus signals a collective effort to prioritize the completion of critical projects for the benefit of the nation.