Reps approve extension of 2023 Appropriation, Supplementary bills by six months

The House of Representatives has approved extending the implementation of the 2023 Appropriation Act and the 2023 Supplementary Appropriation Act until December 2024.

These bills were presented by the executive arm of government through a letter from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which was read on the House floor by Speaker Hon. Abbas Tajudeen.

The bills are titled the 2023 Appropriation Amendment Bill, 2024, and the 2023 Supplementary Appropriation Amendment Bill, 2024.

According to House Spokesman Hon. Akin Rotimi, after the First Reading, House Minority Leader Hon. Kingsley Chinda expressed reservations during the debate on the bills’ general principles, questioning the urgency of their passage.

He suggested harmonizing their provisions into the anticipated Supplementary Appropriation Act 2024, citing potential concerns for the country’s best interests.

The Minority Leader’s concerns sparked a robust discussion among members, supported by Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream) Hon. Alhassan Ado Doguwa, who urged passage of the bills for the country’s security and economic stability.

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In response, the House entered an executive session to deliberate further. Extensive discussions ensued, with contributions from members across party lines.

Following these deliberations, the House dissolved into the Committee of Supply to debate the bills’ clauses, all of which were subsequently approved.

The bills were later read for the third time during plenary, reflecting the House’s decision in favor of national security and economic stability.

Thus, the passage of these money bills followed diligent legislative action, meeting all necessary requirements.