UPDATE: NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SET TO PASS 2023 BUDGET AFTER CHRISTMAS

December 22, 2022December 22, 2022

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There are several reasons to believe that the National Assembly will approve the 2023 Appropriations Bill next week.

Both the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, and President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, had indicated throughout the week that the federal government budget would be passed on Thursday, the day before the lawmakers were scheduled to leave for their Christmas and New Year’s vacations.

However, the House Committee on Appropriations won’t be laying its report on the money bill on Thursday, according to a report.

On the day’s order paper, the laying of the report was not mentioned.

The 2022 Finance Bill and Supplementary Appropriations Bill, which were recently transmitted to the National Assembly for examination and passage, were blamed by a number of parliamentarians for the delay.

The additional budget was received by the parliament on Thursday after the president, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (ret. ), had only delivered the finance bill on Wednesday.

The continuation of the January-December budget cycle, which the current 9th National Assembly reinstated three years ago, is doubtful in light of this development.

The relevant ministries, particularly the Ministry of Finance, Budget, and National Planning, often examine the substance after the National Assembly adopts and transmits the budget back to the Executive, a process that might take weeks.

More details shortly……