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From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
A Civil Society Organization ( CSO), Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio- Economic Rights (CALSER), has lauded the leadership of the National Assembly over the handling of the 2024 Appropriation Act, which was signed into law by President Bola Tinubu on January 1.
The CSO, in a statement by its Executive Director, Michael Adama, on Sunday, said the lawmakers displayed utmost patriotism in the build up to the passage of the 2024. The group stated that it earlier expressed fears that the budget will be delayed owing to large number of committees in the House of Representatives.
CALSER, while acknowledging the roles of the chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation, Adeola Olamilekan and his counterpart in the House of Representatives, Abubakar Bichi, in the quick passage of the budget, said they are deserving of national honours.
“This is the first time Nigerians would witness a Legislature that is not only patriotic, but has also decided to place national interest far above their personal interests.
” If civil servants do get commendations and promotions when given targets and they deliver, the Lawmakers should also be applauded for delivering on their promises. They could have adjourned during the festive period and gone home to their families, like any other person and nothing would have happened to them”, it stated.
The group added that “When the Bill was presented by President Bola Tinubu, we had entertained fears and worries that the House of Representatives, with over 130 standing committees would be the albatross of the process. We had expressed worry over how the House would critically interface with all the agencies they oversight and scrutinize their budget estimates in less than one month and come out clean.
“We remember then that we had to assign our Country Director to personally monitor the progression at the House. But we were shocked at the quality of leadership the Speaker provided. He put the Appropriation Committee on its toes and caused the Chairmen of various committees to burn their candles in the office into late nights, including weekends”.
