President of the Senate Godswil Akpabio and the Speaker of the House of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, on Wednesday, expressed concerns over the country’s high debt burden.
Akpabio and Abbas, who spoke at the at the presentation of the 2024 Appropriation Bill, by President Tinubu, to a joint session of the National Assembly, said efforts must be made to address the high debt burden.
They also charged the government to prioritise education, poverty reduction, youth employment, as well as infrastructural development.
The duo, who told President Tinubu that Nigerians are facing hard times, especially in the aftermath of the removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit ( PMS), expressed that the 2024 budget would help to ameliorating the difficulties confronting the people.
Akpabio said “We also want to plead with the Government to do all within its powers to reduce our high debt profile. We know that Mr President inherited this worrisome burden. But then the mark of a great leader is that he fixes the problems wherever they exist.”
Abbas, on his part, noted that in view of the high level of public debt, that National Assembly will ensure that the 2024 budget includes measures for sustainable debt management, including increasing revenue and controlling expenditure.
He said “Mr. President, it is a well-known fact that millions of our constituents are living through incredibly difficult times. For this reason, they also look to the Tinubu-led government to provide quick and sustainable solutions…”