Coalition to n’assembly: Prioritise needs of PWDs in 2024 budget

A coalition known as Civil Society Groups for Good Governance has asked the national assembly to prioritise the needs of people with disabilities (PWDs) while considering the 2024 budget proposal.

The group made the demand on Friday during a demonstration at the national assembly.

On Wednesday, President Bola Tinubu presented a record N27 trillion 2024 budget proposal to the national assembly.

The president asked the legislators to give accelerated consideration to the appropriation bill and ensure it is passed before January 2024.

On Friday, the senate and house of representatives passed the bill for a second reading. Ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) are expected to appear before the relevant committees of the national assembly to defend their proposal in the budget.

Addressing journalists at the national assembly, Ogakwu Dominic, convener of the group, commended Senate President Godswill Akpabio for promising prompt consideration of the appropriation bill.

“We are here to drum support for the 10th national assembly, particularly the senate under the dynamic leadership of his excellency, the uncommon transformer, Senator Godswill Akpabio for his tacit support to the government of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his renewed hope agenda,” he said.

“We believe that with the collaboration between the president and senator Akpabio and the entire senate, Nigeria is again on the path of greatness.

“This coalition is grateful to the senate and the house of representatives for promising to pass the budget expeditiously and we urge our distinguished lawmakers to keep to their words.”

The group urged the national assembly to give “special attention” to the plight of PWDs while carrying out legislative work on the budget.

“We are here with PLWDs and we are appealing to the government to use the social intervention funds and take care of the vulnerable,” he said.

“As ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) come forward to defend the budget, we want the PLWDs and all vulnerable Nigerians to be given special attention by the government.”

Also speaking, Solomon Adodo, president of the National Youth Council (NYC), said the collaboration between the national assembly and the executive will benefit Nigerians.

“We are here today to say that we are delighted that the senate president and 10th national assembly have queued behind the government of President Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu. We are convinced that this collaboration will bring smiles once again to the faces of Nigerians,” Adodo said.

“We want to state that democracies all over the world are taking note of how democracy is evolving under President Tinubu and Senate President Akpabio.”