The 2023 Appropriation Act (Amendment) Bill 2024 and 2023 Supplementary Appropriation Act (Amendment) 2024 have been simultaneously passed by the House of Representatives on Thursday.
The bills, which aim at extending the implementation period of the capital component of the 2023 Appropriation Act and Supplementary Appropriation Act from June 30, 2024, to December 31, 2024, enjoyed unanimous support of the legislators.
The bills are entitled the 2023 Appropriation Amendment Bill, 2024, and the 2023 Supplementary Appropriation Amendment Bill, 2024 was submitted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the Assembly and read on the floor of the Assembly by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas.
At the second reading, House Leader Julius Ihonvbere explained that the contents of the 2023 supplementary budget were not altered.
He disclosed that the only alteration effected on the bills extension of the completion date aimed at providing opportunity for the completion of ongoing projects by the government.
In his position, Kingsley Chinda, the Minority Leader said: “We recognize the critical importance of implementing capital projects and understand their profound impact on the lives of our people.
“We are preparing to extend the duration of the 2023 supplementary budget. Furthermore, we anticipate the forthcoming 2024 supplementary budget.
“The concurrent operation of four budgets poses a significant challenge. I recommend that the House leader, Mr. Ihonvbere, withdraw this bill. Meanwhile, the projects unfinished from the 2023 budget can be reallocated to the 2024 supplementary budget.”
The 2023 supplementary budget, which focused on security, the Speaker said: “After the supplementary budget of 2023 was revealed to be 90 percent allocated to security, the President appealed for an extension, citing incomplete plans.”
The legislators, however, went into a closed-door session.
When Assembly reconvened, all members unanimously supported all clauses in the two bills