House Extends Implementation Of 2023 Appropriation Act

The House of Representatives has considered and passed two money bills extending the implementation of the 2023 Appropriation Act and the 2023 Supplementary Appropriation Act until December 2024.

President Bola Tinubu presented the two bills via a letter which was read on the floor of the House by the Speaker, Dr. Abbas Tajudeen, during plenary in Abuja.

The bills are titled the 2023 Appropriation Amendment Bill, 2024, and the 2023 Supplementary Appropriation Amendment Bill, 2024.

Following its first reading, House Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda during the debate on the general principles of the bill, expressed reservations about the propriety of accelerating the passage of these bills, noting that it might not be in the best interest of the country.

He suggested that the provisions of the bills should be harmonised and included in the anticipated Supplementary Appropriation Act 2024.

After the bill was read some members however disagreed with the bill while others called for its passage.

The Minority Leader’s concerns and position sparked a rowdy session on the floor and discuss among members, and was also supported by Alhassan Ado Doguwa who, however, urged the House to pass the bills in the best interest of the country’s security and economy.

According to Chinda, the extension of the implementation of capital projects will negatively affect the people.

“We are aware of the importance of the implementation of capital projects and we know what we know what capital projects can do in the lives of our people”.

“But the application for extension of the 2023 Appropriation Act is also coming with the request to extend the life of the 2023 supplementary budget. We are also expecting the 2024 supplementary budget.

“A situation where we may have four budgets running concurrently is a bit of a problem. I will suggest that the House leader (Ihonvbere) step this bill down.

On his part, Alhassan Ado-Doguwa who agreed with the submission of Chinda, noted that there’s the need to put party differences aside and align with the truth in the interest of Nigerians being represented by the lawmakers.

He noted that though running two or more budgets at the same time might be legally defensible, he reminded his colleagues of the moral dilemma of doing so.

Despite his submission, Ado-Doguwa pleaded with his colleagues to pass the bill; a demand that was outrightly rejected by the opposition lawmakers.

In response, the House resolved to enter an executive session to deliberate further on the matter. The session saw extensive discussions, with members from both sides of the aisle contributing their perspectives and suggestions.

Following these deliberations, the House dissolved into the Committee of Supply to debate the various clauses in the money bills.

Subsequently, the House reverted to plenary where the bills were read for the third time.

Oduyemi Odumade, Edited By Grace Namiji