NASS Ignores Nigerians’ Outcry, Passes N2.17trn 2023 Supplementary Budget

Amid outcry from Nigerians on the spending plans contained in the N2.17trn 2023 Supplementary Appropriation Bill, the National Assembly comprising the Senate and the House of Representatives, Thursday, passed the Bill submitted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu after the third reading.

The bill expeditiously scaled readings in both upper and lower chambers as lawmakers said it was for the benefit of the country.

The spending contained in the Supplementary Budgetary has elicited harsh criticism from Nigerians.

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Before the passage of the bill, the Senate adopted the report of the harmonized sittings of both red and green chambers on the 2023 Supplementary Appropriation Bill as submitted by the Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (APC Ogun West).

It would be recalled that President Bola Tinubu had written the National Assembly seeking the approval of the sum of N2,176,791,286,033 as a 2023 supplementary budget to address labour wage adjustments, purchase of vehicles, renovation of several lodges, security and more.

The President had also sent the 2024-2026 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) & Fiscal Strategy Paper to both chambers of the National Assembly,

Recently, the Senate passed N819bn making provision for a N500bn palliative package.

Tinubu had said the supplementary bill was necessary for additional palliative measures including wage awards. The Federal Executive Council (FEC) chaired by the President on Monday had approved the 2023 supplementary budget of N2.1 trillion.

Lawmakers on Tuesday began debate on the urgency of expediting the passage of the supplementary budget. The lawmakers identified the need to particularly enhance the critical needs of the people and emergency areas including infrastructure, insecurity, labour demands (N210bn wage award payment and (N5.5bn student loan).