The N2.176tn 2023 supplementary budget proposal by President Bola Tinubu, submitted to the House of Representatives on Tuesday, prioritised the security of Nigerians and their property as defense got the highest allocation of N476.543bn.
Given the activities of bandits and other criminal elements in the country in the past decade, this is hardly surprising. The proposal is however subject to the approval of the National Assembly.
President Tinubu’s pledge to make every part of Nigeria safe for habitation has been underlined by the huge allocation for the defence of the nation’s territorial integrity.
Works was allocated N300bn while the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security got N200bn.
Interestingly, Housing got N100 billion, the Federal Capital Territory Administration got N100bn While Police Commands and Allocation got N50 billion.
Also included in the supplementary appropriation bill are Service Wide Votes which were allocated N615 billion, capital supplementation (N210bn) while State House N28bn.
Others include Department of State Services (N49 bn), Office of the National Security Adviser (N29.7 bn) and Independent National Electoral Commission (N18bn) for the conduct of the off-cycle governorship election in Bayelsa, Kogi and Imo States on November 11.
In a letter addressed to the House and read by the Speaker, Abbas Tajudeen, Tinubu said, “You will recall that the National Assembly recently passed, and I signed, a Supplementary Appropriation Act 2023 for a total of NGN819,500,000,000.00 (Eight Hundred and Nineteen Billion Five Hundred Million Naira) which, among other things, made provision for a recent critical economic policy decisions of the Federal Government.
“It has, however, become necessary to make further provision for additional palliative measures, including the wage award for public servants and the enhanced cash transfer program which is intended to benefit the most vulnerable members of our society.
“In addition, critical defense expenditures are also urgently required to provide for peace and the security of lives and property without which the government’s economic growth agenda cannot be achieved.
“Similarly, critical investments are also required to construct much needed infrastructure, particularly roads which projects must be commenced within the (dry season) period between now and the end of the year.
“Accordingly, another Supplementary Appropriation Bill for 2023 to cater for the expenditures identified above, totalling NGN2,176,791,256,033.00 (Two trillion, one hundred and seventy six billion, seven hundred and ninety one million, two hundred and fifty six thousand and thirty three naira) is hereby forwarded for the consideration of the National Assembly.”
The supplementary appropriation bill passed second reading at a plenary session on Tuesday as the House through its Committees on Appropriation is expected to make its input preparatory to approval during the week or early next week.
Madukwe B. Nwabuisi is an accomplished journalist renown for his fearless reporting style and extensive expertise in the field. He is an investigative journalist, who has established himself as a kamikaze reporter.
