By Kamsi Anayo
The National Assembly, on Thursday, approved the N2.176 trillion 2023 supplementary budget transmitted to the parliament by President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday.
At the Senate, the budget was approved following the adoption of a report by the Appropriations Committee, presented by the chairman, Sen. Adeola Olamilekan (Ogun West) during plenary.
Tinubu had, in a letter read in both chambers, asked the federal lawmakers to approve the proposal, the second of such this year after N819.5 billion was approved to provide palliatives for poor Nigerians.
The president, in his letter, said it has become necessary to make further provision for additional palliative measures, including the wage award for public servants and the enhanced Cash Transfer Programme which is intended to benefit the most vulnerable members of society.
“In addition, critical defence expenditures are also urgently required to provide for peace and the security of lives and property without which the government’s economic growth agenda cannot be achieved.
“Similarly, critical investments are also required to construct much needed infrastructure, particularly roads, which must be commenced within the (dry season) period between now and the end of the year,” he added.
A detail of the 2023 Supplementary budget indicated that, N1.010.802,015,985 was for Recurrent expenditure while N1.165,989,270,049 was for Capital expenditure.”
At the House of Representatives, it was passed following the consideration and adoption of the report of the Committee on Appropriations as earlier laid by the chairman, Abubakar Bichi (Kano, APC).
