By James Itodo
Senate has passed for second reading, the N27.5trillion 2024 Appropriation Bill presented by President Bola Tinubu for approval of the National Assembly.
The scalling of the bill for second reading at plenary on Friday, followed debates by lawmakers on the general principles of the bill.
Lawmakers, at the resumed debate called for increased funding for road infrastructure, education, power, agriculture, among other sectors in the country.
They also called for a reduction in borrowing and improved budgetary provision for security and sustance of peace in the Niger- Delta for improved crude oil production.
Senator Adams Oshiomole (APC -Edo) said there was need for appropriations to be made for the completion of the Benin-Auchi road which serves as a major link connecting Nigerians from the six geo-political zones.
He said the eventual completion of the road would further help improve economic activities.
He said it was not for the Senate to be debating exchange rate, saying that determinants of the exchange rate was a matter of micro economic policies.
Senator Francis Fadahunsi (PDP-Osun), who commended the 2024 budget estimates 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 Osun state and other parts of the federation.
Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe(APGA-Abia)said not much was allocated to power as information indicates 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 in the budget for direct impact on the economy, going forward.
Other Senators, who emphasised need to appropriate more funds for road infrastructure, and improve educational systems among others sectors includes, Senator Oluranti Adebule(APC-Lagos) Abba Moro(PDP-Benue).
Moro said allocation to education should be based on UNESCO provisions, given the challenges in the education sector.
Former President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan commended President Tinubu for the budget.
He said the success of any administration was based on the support the legislature gives to the executive, saying that the National Assembly must continue to give support to the President Tinubu.
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 the main budget.
Lawan said emphasis must be placed on having a secured safe school 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 Appropriation for more legislative input
Edited By Grace Namiji
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