Reps Approve 2023 Budget Extension

Reps Give Nod to 2023 Budget Extension, Implementation to Continue Till December 31

Reps Approve 2023 Budget Extension to December 31, 2024. The House of Representatives passed two bills extending the implementation period for the 2023 Appropriation Act and Supplementary Appropriation Act from June 30 to December 31, 2024, allowing the administration to complete ongoing projects and ensure continuity in the budget implementation process.

On Thursday, June 27, the House of Representatives passed two crucial bills: the 2023 Appropriation Act (Amendment) Bill 2024 and the 2023 Supplementary Appropriation Act (Amendment) 2024. The bills aim to extend the implementation period for the capital component of the 2023 Appropriation Act and the 2023 Supplementary Appropriation Act from June 30, 2024, to December 31, 2024.

President Bola Tinubu submitted the bills to the parliament through a letter read on the House floor by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas. The bills, titled the 2023 Appropriation Amendment Bill, 2024, and the 2023 Supplementary Appropriation Amendment Bill, 2024, were initially scheduled to be considered on July 2, 2024, but the House shortened its recess to prioritize the executive bills.

During the plenary session, the bills were read for the first time, and House leader Julius Ihonvbere clarified that the extension request was solely to allow the administration to complete ongoing projects, with no changes to the 2023 supplementary budget contents. However, Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda expressed concerns that managing four different budgets simultaneously might be too burdensome for the Federal Government.

The House passed both bills, approving all clauses, to extend the implementation period for the capital component and supplementary appropriation acts from June 30, 2024, to December 31, 2024. This move allows the administration to complete ongoing projects and ensures continuity in the budget implementation process.

He stated: “We are aware of the importance of the implementation of capital projects and 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.

“Meanwhile, the projects that were not completed in the 2023 budgets can be transferred to the 2024 supplementary budget.”

Sada Soli, a member of the All Progressive Congress (APC) representing the Jibia/Kaita Federal Constituency, pointed out that extending the 2023 supplementary budget without also extending the implementation period of the 2023 Appropriation Act would be inconsistent. He emphasized the need for a concurrent extension to ensure a seamless implementation process.

Alhassan Ado-Doguwa, an APC House member from Kano, shared similar concerns with Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda, stressing the importance of setting aside party affiliations and prioritizing the truth for the benefit of Nigerians. He urged his colleagues to approach the matter with objectivity and consider the potential implications of extending the budget implementation period.

Alhassan Ado-Doguwa, a House member from Kano and a member of the All Progressive Congress (APC), echoed the concerns of Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda, stressing the need to put aside party differences and prioritize the truth for the benefit of Nigerians. He acknowledged that while managing multiple budgets simultaneously might be legally permissible, it presents a moral dilemma that lawmakers should consider, and urged his colleagues to approach the matter with objectivity.

Despite his plea, the opposition lawmakers outrightly rejected Ado-Doguwa's demand to pass the bill. Before the House dissolved into a closed-door session, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, who presided over the session, reminded his colleagues that the 2023 supplementary budget is primarily focused on security, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing national security and the welfare of Nigerians.

“The supplementary budget of 2023 is 90 per cent security-related. Because we couldn't do everything we wanted to do, the President is asking that an extension be granted. Please, let's kindly support this,” he pleaded.

After reconvening from its closed-door session, the House members unanimously voted in favor of all clauses contained in the two bills, demonstrating their support for the extension of the 2023 supplementary budget.

Earlier, the Senate had also approved the extension of the 2023 supplementary budget's life cycle from June 30 to December 31, 2024, aligning with the House's decision to extend the implementation period. This move ensures continuity in the budget implementation process and allows for the completion of ongoing projects.