National Assembly Aims for Swift Passage of 2024 Appropriation Bill to Sustain Budget Cycle

National Assembly reconvenes after Christmas break, to pass Nigerian budget by Saturday. In an effort to maintain the January-December budget cycle, the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, announced that the National Assembly plans to pass the 2024 Appropriation Bill on December 30. Speaking during a session with journalists in Iyin-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Bamidele revealed that federal lawmakers are shortening their holidays to expedite the budget’s approval.

Bamidele emphasized the streamlined process, stating, “To ensure the passage of the budget, we abridged time to make all ministries, departments, and agencies appear before the joint sitting of all the relevant committees of both the Senate and House of Representatives.” This approach, he noted, has significantly reduced the time for the budget defense process and eliminated the need for harmonization.

Despite concerns about economic saboteurs impacting exchange rates and hindering access to the naira, Bamidele assured that the Federal Government would take decisive action in the coming year. He outlined plans to charge, prosecute, and punish those engaged in economic sabotage, particularly those manipulating currency values and speculating in markets.

Expressing the urgency of addressing these issues, Bamidele outlined the timeline: “We are reconvening on December 29. Our hope and determination are to pass by December 30. On January 1, 2024, Mr. President will have the 2024 Appropriation Bill on his desk for assent so that its implementation can take off in earnest.”

He concluded by affirming the Federal Government’s commitment to holding accountable those responsible for disrupting economic stability and vowed to pursue legal action against individuals involved in speculative and manipulative practices affecting the country’s financial well-being.

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