The Northern senators Forum has raised issues over the discrepancy between the budget approved by the Nigerian Senate and the budget being implemented
Senator Ningi who spoke on behalf of the forum on Saturday in a BBC Hausa program monitored in Abuja emphasized that the particular case is the most significant instance of budget padding to occur in Nigerian history under the leadership of Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

He stated, “For the first time in Nigerian history, we are currently operating with two distinct budgets. The National Assembly approved a budget of ₦25 trillion, whereas the Federal Government is operating with a budget of ₦28 trillion.”

“Apparently, we have discovered that ₦3 trillion has been inserted into the budgets without any specified allocations.”

“As representatives of the people, we have resolved to meet with President Tinubu to address this matter and present him with the facts and figures. We intend to ascertain whether he is aware of this embarrassing situation and take appropriate action thereafter.”

“Let the Nigerian people exercise patience with us. This is a national issue that affects all Nigerians, regardless of political party, ethnicity, or religion,” he added.

Recall however, that the N27.5trn ‘Renewed Hope’ budget for 2024 passed second reading at the Senate.

It has since been referred to the Committee on Appropriations after a voice vote by the Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, who presided over the session.

The Committee is Chaired by Senator Solomon Adeola (APC Ogun West).
Speaking on the matter Senator Patrick Ndubueze (Imo North) said “I don’t have the knowledge of such a report or rumor. Until they bring it to our knowledge we can now know the truth.

“I heard the northern Senators hired a consultant to look into the budget. But we have not done that. The Igbos or Southeast has not done so. So, if they comment is because they have a consultant, or a consultant-review of the budget

“For us we don’t have a consultant and we have not reviewed the budget yet.”

President Bola Ahmad Tinubu will assent to the 2024 Appropriation Bill on Sunday, the chairman senate committee on Appropriation, Senator Adeola Olamilekan has assured Nigerians
He spoke shortly after the Senate approved the sum of N28.7 trillion as the 2024 appropriation bill.

The Senate, at plenary on Saturday afternoon, passed the N28,777,404,073,861 budget, which it increased by about N1.2tn. The President presented N27.5tn to the joint chambers of the National Assembly on November 29, 2023.

While trying justify the passage in one day when asked about whether the President was privy to the content, he said,

“Before now you are aware that what we are experiencing was due to the lateness in the presentation of the budget and since that day we had gone to work and today we have passed the budget.
“The President will pass the budget before the first of January. All machinery has been put to work and there is no law that said the President cannot sign the budget on Sunday and the budget can be signed anywhere provided that it is a place that is recognized by law and is Federal Republic of Nigeria
“I want to assure you that this document called budget that we just passed we worked closely with the executive, it was not done in isolation, the executive was involved with us everyday, that is the minister for budget and national planning. “Any grey areas that needs attention he was available to share his own opinion and we share our own opinion, that was the kind of harmonious working relationship that we had.”

By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.

KOGI State House of Assembly has passed an Appropriation Bill of N258.2 billion as draft budget for the 2024 fiscal year after due legislation, consideration and approval.

The passage of the Bill was sequel to adoption of the report of the House Standing Committee on Appropriation, Budget Monitoring and Economic Planning at plenary on Wednesday in Lokoja.

Recall that the State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello on Dec. 11, presented the Appropriation Bill of N258.2 billion as the state’s budget estimates for 2024 fiscal year.
The Governor had said that the 2024 Budget tagged “Budget of Consolidation and Continuity for Inclusive Growth” has Recurrent Expenditure of N145.73 billion, about 56.43 per cent and a Capital Expenditure of N112.54bn which is 43.57 per cent of the total budget of N258.2 billion.
He said that the total estimated revenue (i.e recurrent revenue and capital receipts) stands at N258.2 billion for the year 2024.
Bello added that with Total Estimated Revenue at N258.2 billion and Total Recurrent Expenditure at N258.2 billion, the draft Budget was a balanced one saying that it was geared towards consolidating on the gains of 2023 fiscal year.
Upon presentation and adoption of the report, the House dissolved into Committee of the Whole where the Bill was subjected to clause by clause consideration and read for the third and final stage before its approval and passage.
The House Speaker, Rt Hon. Aliyu Umar Yusuf, passing the bill, said the Appropriation Bill had in it, authorised N145.73 billion as recurrent expenditure and an authorised Capital Expenditure of N112.54 billion.
“The budget, which has shown the various allocation of funds to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) will take effect from Jan. 1, 2024.

“As speaker of the house, I wish to commend you, my dedicated and hardworking colleagues for job well done at scrutinising our governor’s appropriation bill and passing it into law today, Dec. 20, ” he said. (Ends)