The Senate has commenced debate on the 2024 budget a day after President Bola Tinubu presented the budget totaling N27.5 trillion to a joint session of the National Assembly.
Shortly after the joint session, the proposed budget passed its first reading at the Senate and House of Representatives on Wednesday.
Conducting the discussion on the fundamental principles of the 2024 Appropriation Bill during Thursday’s plenary, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele declared that the bill is considered to have undergone its initial reading through the presentation before the joint session of the National Assembly. Consequently, this marks the initiation of the general debate.
He implored the legislators to endorse the second reading of the 2024 Appropriation Bill, facilitating its examination by the Appropriation Committee and sub-committees.
Opeyemi emphasized the bill’s focus on addressing electricity challenges, procuring vaccines, constructing key roads nationwide, and advancing railway projects. He highlighted that the outlined parameters and fiscal assumptions in the proposed budget aim to stimulate economic activities and improve the living conditions of Nigerians.
“I believe that all the proposals in this budget are laudable and would enhance the lives of citizens,” he said, urging his colleagues to support and pass the bill.”
Endorsing the proposal, Senator Joel Thomas, who represents Delta South, expressed that the passage of the budget would instill renewed hope among Nigerians.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) legislator affirmed that the effective implementation of the budget would contribute to the development of the country’s economic activities.
In her motion, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the legislator representing Kogi Central, advocated for the approval of the bill.
A member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Akpoti-Uduaghan also urged the government to initiate projects in her constituency.
Numerous senators who participated in the discussion expressed their backing for the passage of the Appropriation Bill.