Like reps, senate speedily passes N2trn supplementary budget for second reading

The senate has speedily passed a supplementary budget of N2 trillion for second reading.

The upper legislative chamber passed the supplementary appropriation bill after Opeyemi Bamidele, majority leader of the senate, led a debate on it.

Before debate on the general principles of the bill, President Bola Tinubu’s request for the senate to consider the budget was read on Tuesday. Afterwards, the legislation scaled first and second readings.

The development came hours after the house of representatives passed the same bill for another reading.

Tinubu had asked the senate to “speedily” consider and approve the appropriation bill.

While leading the debate on the bill, Bamidele said the federal government needed to fund critical needs of the country.

The supplementary budget would support the provisional wage of N35,000 to workers, costing the federal government N210 billion and N400 billion as cash transfers to vulnerable Nigerians, among others.

Contributing to the debate, Jibrin Barau, deputy president of the senate, said the proposed budget is in line with the policies of the Tinubu administration.

“We are all aware that whenever a new government comes into office, it is normal to bring a supplementary budget in line with its policies,” he said.

“I therefore call on our colleagues to support the government by passing this bill. We have security issues.”

On his part, Ali Ndume, chief whip of the senate, said security challenges need to be addressed.

“There are challenges in security that need to be addressed. How do we address it? By strengthening security, by funding. This budget is made to address the short term challenges facing this country,” Ndume said.

The bill passed second reading after it was put to a voice vote.

REPS PASS SUPPLEMENTARY BUDGET

The 2023 supplementary budget has also passed second reading in the house of representatives.

The N2.17 trillion supplementary appropriation bill passed first and second readings during plenary on Tuesday.

At the commencement of plenary, Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the house, read President Bola Tinubu’s letter requesting the passage of the supplementary budget.

On Monday, the federal executive council (FEC) approved the submission of the supplementary budget to the national assembly.

Atiku Bagudu, minister of budget and economic planning, who provided a breakdown of the budget, said N605 billion is to be allocated to security and national defence, and N200 billion is for the agricultural sector. 

The minister also said the sum of N210 billion has been earmarked for federal government workers for the approved wage awards meant to cover September to December, and N400 billion has been budgeted for cash transfers to vulnerable and poor Nigerians between October and November.

‘SUPPLEMENTARY BUDGET TIMELY’

While moving a motion for the debate of the bill, Julius Ihonvbere, leader of the house, said the supplementary appropriation bill is timely, saying it means that the federal government listens to the yearnings of Nigerians.

The lawmaker said the budget is targeted at addressing the fiscal challenges facing the country, including payment of salaries.

He also said the budget will cover security and infrastructure.

In his contribution, Ben Kalu, deputy speaker of the house, said the budget will address the gaps created by some decisions taken by the government.

The deputy speaker said the appropriation bill is “worthy” of the support of lawmakers.

“I urge you to support it with everything you hold dear,” he said.

Mark Esset from Akwa Ibom said the lawmakers should ensure that relevant committees of the house monitor the implementation of the budget to ensure effective utilisation.

Legislators voted in support of the bill when it was put to a voice vote by Abbas.

Abbas subsequently asked the committee on appropriations to carry out speedy legislative work on the bill for ultimate passage.

Reporting by Dyepkazah Shibayan and Samuel Akpan