2024 Appropriation Bill scales 2nd reading in Senate

The N27.5trillion 2024 Appropriation Bill on Friday scaled through second reading at the Senate.

The followed debates by lawmakers on the general principles of the bill at plenary.

Sen. Adams Oshiomole (APC -Edo) said there was need for appropriations to be made for the completion of the Benin-Auchi Road,saying that the road was a major link connecting Nigerians from the six zones of the country.

He said the completion of the road would help to improve economic activities in the country.

He said it was not for the Senate to be debating exchange rate, saying that determinants of exchange rate was a matter of micro economic policies.

Sen.Franchis Fadahunsi (PDP-Osun), who commended the 2024 budget, said there was need for the masses to benefit from the content of the budget on implementation.

He called for allocation of more funds to ensure completion of roads in in Osun and other parts of the country.

Sen.Enyinnaya Abaribe(APGA-Abia)said not much was allocated to power as information indicated that less than 3 per cent was allocated to power in the budget.

He said power was key to employment generation and optimal workings of other sectors and the economy in general.

He said the Senate would have to re-order the priorities of the budget for direct impact on the economy.

Sen. Aba Moro(PDP-Benue) said allocation to education should be based on UNESCO provisions, given the challenges in the education sector.

Former President of Senate, Ahmad lawan commended President Tinubu for the budget.

He said the success of any administration was based on the support the legislature, saying that the National Assembly must continue to support the President.

He called on the senate committees to be interested on what happened on the implementation of previous budgets of 2021,2022,2023 both supplementary and main budget.

Lawan said emphasis must be placed on having secured and safe environment for schools to function, and provision of enabling peace in Niger-Delta.

He called for prioritisation of security in 2024 budget, saying that security was key in attaining the required economic activities.

Deputy President of Senate, Barau Jubril, shortly after the 2024 Appropriation Bill scaled second reading refered the bill to the Committee of Appropriations.

The committee was to return it back to plenary on Dec.19 for further legislative input on the bill.