We Will Pass 2024 Budget Without Hesitation – Reps Tell Tinubu

The House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation has said that it will pass the proposed Budget for the year 2024 when brought before it without hesitation.

Recall that President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government on Monday proposed N26 trillion as the 2024 budget to be submitted to the National Assembly before December 31, 2023.

The Minister of Planning and Budget, Atiku Bagudu, made the budget proposal known at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting held on Monday, at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Naija News reports.

While awaiting the proposed Budget to be brought before it for consent, the Green Chamber did not delay its passage. The lawmakers also vowed to exercise their oversight jurisdiction over relevant government agencies in its monitoring of the budget implementation.

Chairman of the Committee, Abubakar Bichi, stated this at the inaugural meeting of the committee on Tuesday, Naija News understands.

Bichi said the lower chamber will ensure the sustenance of the long-established precedent of ensuring compliance with the Financial Year Act through budget passage on or before 31 December of each financial year.

He believes that the swift passage will no doubt make the budget implementation from January to December operational and achievable. Bichi vowed that the panel will monitor implementation by all the Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), saying the committee work is not just about budget appropriation.

Noting that the Appropriations Committee stands as one of the most prominent Committees that champion the course of law-making through appropriations of funds, Bichi observed that the panel will facilitate strategic meetings with Chairmen of Finance, National Planning and Aids, Loans, and Debt Management.

He said the move was to gather data that would facilitate the effective function of the committee of ensuring inclusive budget preparation, appreciable implementation, and effective oversight.

”It is significant to note that the Appropriations Committee stands as one of the most prominent Committees that champion the course of law-making through appropriations of funds to run the affairs of government by Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government. This makes the Committee enjoy a wider jurisdiction in comparison with other Standing Committees.

“More significantly, the Committee is empowered by Order 20, Rule 15 of the House of Representatives Standing Orders, 10th Edition, 2020 as Amended to coordinate, monitor, and supervise the implementation of all Appropriation Acts after passage by the National Assembly.
“This power will be effectively utilized to exercise oversight jurisdiction over relevant agencies such as the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Federal Ministry of Finance, Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, and National Economic Intelligence Agency among others to monitor the budget implementation.

“In furtherance of this significant duty, the Committee’s leadership will initiate a strategic meeting with Chairmen of Finance, National Planning and Aids, Loans and Debt Management to gather data that will facilitate the effective function of this Committee of ensuring inclusive budget preparation, appreciable implementation, and effective oversight.

“In addition, the Committee will ensure the sustenance of the long-established and cherished precedent of ensuring compliance with the Financial Year Act through budget passage on or before 31 December of each financial year. This development will no doubt make the budget implementation from January to December operational and achievable,” he said.

The lawmaker further assured that the panel will ensure its coordinating leadership role to facilitate pre-budget meetings with relevant MDAs while at the same time, ensuring a sustainable collaboration with its sister Committee in the Senate and other relevant stakeholders.

“You may agree with me that the mandate of this Committee requires serious commitment, diligence, and political will. I do not doubt that the calibre of members assembled in the Committee will promote its image through the effective delivery of its core and ancillary mandates.

“I am glad to inform you that the leadership of the Committee will utilize your experience, hard work, and passion for national service to discharge the functions of the Committee by ensuring effective appropriation of funds, monitoring budget implementation, and evaluating the budget performance towards efficient service delivery.

“This will no doubt promote the implementation of the Legislative Agenda to reposition the House towards ensuring peace order and good governance of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“I, therefore, solicit your support, cooperation, and patronage to make the Committee lively, productive, and visible within the National Assembly and beyond. The Committee’s leadership will regularly consult the Leadership of the House for necessary legislative guidance while ensuring harmonious working relations with relevant Committees and other stakeholders to ensure speedy passage according to the budget calendar,” The Cable quoted the lawmaker saying.