The Nigerian House of Representatives has successfully passed the 2024 Appropriation bill for a second reading, following a two-day debate on the general principles of the legislation.
The budget, presented by President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday, moved forward during a special plenary session on Friday, despite facing scrutiny for perceived extravagant spending, particularly for political office holders.
On Thursday, the House commenced the debate on the bill. After about two hours of debate, the Speaker of the House, Abbas Tajudeen, announced a special session to be held on Friday to conclude the debate.
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The legislative process unfolded amidst backlash over components of the budget that were criticized as frivolous. The concerns echo similar discontent expressed earlier in November when civil society organization Tracka opposed the approval of the N2.17 trillion 2023 supplementary budget by the Senate.
On November 2, Tracka, through a letter, moved to stop the Senate from approving an earlier N2.17 trillion 2023 supplementary budget for its frivolous items. The items in question, including a yacht, cars for the First Lady, and office building renovations, drew public outrage.
Tracka rerouted and submitted the letter to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, asking the president not to assent to the supplementary budget. Despite Tracka’s efforts to prevent the supplementary budget’s approval, it was assented.
We received the 'response' below, yesterday. ????
??? https://t.co/PiEoZhRqta pic.twitter.com/8XBDzb1Ad4
— Tracka (@TrackaNG) November 29, 2023
Similar to the supplementary budget, the 2024 proposed budget has faced criticism for allegedly neglecting the most pressing needs of the Nigerian people.
Hon. Yusuf Shitu Galambi reportedly told BBC Hausa that the budget is empty. “We sat yesterday to discuss the general principles of the budget but nobody got a copy. The truth is that the president came with an empty case,” he said.
The 2024 budget proposal has an aggregate expenditure of N27.5 trillion, with N9.92 trillion allocated to recurrent expenditure, N8.7 trillion to capital expenditure, a projected deficit of N9.18 trillion, and debt servicing estimated at N8.25 trillion. Despite the sizable allocation, concerns have been raised about the budget’s allocation not adequately addressing critical national needs.
The education sector is set to receive N2.18 trillion, with allocations to the Ministry of Education and its agencies, the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund). The health sector is allocated N1.33 trillion, covering the Ministry of Health and its agencies, GAVI immunization, and statutory transfers to the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund.
The defense sector, however, garnered a substantial share of 12 percent of the entire budget, totaling N3.25 trillion, while infrastructure is allocated N1.32 trillion.
Some of the lawmakers are asking for more funds to be allocated to transportation, health and education.
Following the conclusion of the budget debate, Speaker Tajudeen announced that the Appropriations Committee would meet after the plenary session. The Deputy House Leader, Ali Halims, proposed the adjournment of the House until December 12 to allow committees to engage with relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). The motion for adjournment received unanimous support from the House.