The Nigerian Senate has extended the implementation of the 2022 budget till March 31, 2023.
The National Assembly had approved N17.12 trillion for the 2022 fiscal year in December 2021.
The upper legislative chamber’s resolution to extend the 2022 budget by three months is sequel to a request by President Muhammadu Buhari for the consideration and passage of a “bill for an Act to amend the 2022 Appropriation Act in order to extend the implementation year from 31st December 2022 to 31st March 2023 and for related matters, 2022.”
While presenting a report on the floor of the senate on Wednesday, Ibrahim Gobir, the Majority Leader, said it was imperative to extend the budget implementation as a result of key projects.
“Because of some key projects, it is expedient to extend the implementation [of the budget] because of key projects that are not provided for in the 2023 budget,” the Senate leader said, according to TheCable.
Contributing to the debate, Adamu Aliero, senator representing Kebbi Central, said: “This is the dry season. Contractors would easily be mobilised to the site. Our roads are in bad shape. This request is in order.”
On his part, Gabriel Suswam, senator representing Benue North-East, said constituency projects of lawmakers should be funded in the extension of the 2022 budget.
“The worry of most senators is that our projects are not funded,” Suswam said.
“In the extension, constituency projects should be funded. This is timely.”
Thereafter, the senate went into the “committee of supply” to consider the report, after which the president’s request was approved.