HoR extends implementation of 2023 budget to December, 2024

By Tom Okpe

The House of Representatives, on Thursday, extended the implementation of capital component of the 2023 Appropriation and Supplementary Appropriation Acts, from June 30 2023, to December 31, 2024.

The Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, at commencement of plenary, read a letter from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, requesting to amend the Appropriation Acts, so as to extend implementation of capital component by six months.

The House leader, Julius Ihonvbere, who moved for the second reading of the bills also, said it will be of immense benefit to the country.

He noted that there was no alteration of contents of the 2023 supplementary budget but, a request for an adjustment of the date to enable the administration to complete the projects that have been started.

However, the Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda, opposed the motion, saying the extension was unnecessary, especially as the parliament was expecting the 2024 Supplementary budget.

Chinda noted that if the President’s request is approved, it would mean that the country would be running four budgets, concurrently.

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

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

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“A situation where we may have four budgets running concurrently, is a bit of a problem. I will suggest that the House leader, Ihonvbere, stepped down his bill.

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

In his contribution, Sada Soli stated that the 2023 supplementary budget cannot be extended without simultaneously, extending the implementation life span of the 2023 Appropriation Act.

On his part, Alhassan Ado-Doguwa, APC, representing Doguwa/Tudun Wada Constituency of Kano State, said though he is a member of the All Progressives Congress, APC, he agrees with the submission of the the minority leader.

He appealed to his colleagues to approve the President’s request.

He also stated that the 2023 supplementary Appropriation Act, borders on security.

“The supplementary budget of 2023, is 90% security-related. 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 said.