…as Tinubu Rejects NASS Library Trust Bill, Says It Sets Precedent Against Public Interest
News Investigators/ The House of Representatives, Tuesday passed for second reading a bill seeking to extend the implementation of the 2024 Appropriation Act from 30th June, 2025, to 31st December, 2025.
Even as President Bola Tinubu rejected the bill seeking for a special trust fund for the National Assembly Library.
The extension bill titled: “A Bill for an Act to Amend the 2024 Appropriation Act to Further Extend the Capital Components of the Act From 30th June 2025 to 31st December 2025 and for Related Matters (HB.2404)”, seeks to extend the life of the capital components of the last year budget till December.
It is however not clear whether it would run concurrent with the capital expenditure passed 2025 budget.
The House resolved in a voice vote that the amendment bill be read the second time.
Deputy Majority Leader, Abdullahi Halim, who led debate on the bill urged members to support the extension.
Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, who presided over the plenary after the vote, referred the bill to the Committee on Supply for clause-by-clause consideration, noting that the 2024 budget was not substantially funded.
President Bola Tinubu has refused to sign into law the National Assembly Library Trust Fund Establishment (Amendment), saying it would establish an unsustainable precedent against public interest.
The bill passed by the National Assembly, had sought to establish the National Assembly Library Trust Fund.
“If this bill becomes law, these provisions will establish an unsustainable precedent against the public interest.
“Notwithstanding the laudable objectives of the legislation, certain provisions contained therein go against the extant law and policies of the Federal Government of Nigeria as it relates to funding of agencies under the National Assembly, taxation of national entities, public service remuneration, as well as age and year of service, among others.
“If this bill becomes law, these provisions will establish an unsustainable precedent against the public interest.
“Further to the above, I will not be granting presidential assent to the bill.
“I hope that the House of Representatives will take necessary steps to fix the identified issues with the legislation,” Mr. Tinubu stated.
