The bill seeking to grant the federal government the leeway to spend N2.1 trillion on projects as 2023 supplementary budget has passed second reading in the senate.
The bill titled “supplementary appropriation bill 2023” was sponsored by the senate leader, Opeyemi Bamidele
The bill seeking the approval of the N2.1 trillion supplementary budget for 2023 was first read in the senate on Tuesday and was immediately passed for second reading where the senators debated debated on the appropriation.
Bamidele while leading the debate indicated that when the supplementary budget is approved, the fund will used to address security challenges, construction of roads, coordination of the conditional cash transfer, kick off of student loans, working capital for newly created ministries and coverage of the November election.
The supplementary appropriation budget received support when it thrown into debate, many of the senators gave their support for its approval
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Monday had approved the 2023 supplementary budget of N2, 176, 791, 286. 33 pending the approval of the National Assembly.
President Bola Tinubu transmitted the 2023 supplementary budget of N2.1 trillion to the National Assembly for approval on Tuesday
The Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibirin who gave his support to the aproval commended President Tinubu for seeking approval of the supplementary budget.
Barau said the gesture of Tinubu to requested the appropriation bill was a standard global practice among world leaders.
He urged other senators to support approval of the bill on the grounds that the federal government needs funds to tackle challenges facing the country.
Chief Whip of the Senate, Ali Ndume who also supported the approval explained that when approved, the federal government will be able to address insecurity and other challenges facing the country.
Sanni Musa (Niger East) said there is need to checkmate the security challenges and allocate funds to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the conduct of the November election.
Abdul Ningi (Bauchi North) said the student loan should reflect the interest of the people.
Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa West) also called for proper check of federal government Ministries, Departments of Agencies that will be involved in the supplementary appropriation.
“We need to demand accountability, not for them to be demanding for billions only,” Mr Dickson said.
The Senate president, Godswill Akpabio on his commended the senators for supporting approval of the supplementary appropriation bill.
Akpabio also commended President Tinubu for seeking approval of the supplementary budget.
The Senate President therefore referred the supplementary appropriation bill to the senate committee on appropriation for consideration and to refer their conclusions back to the senate as soon as possible.