From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
The Deputy Spokesman of the House of Representatives, Phillip Agbese, has said the parliament is committed to a thorough scrutiny of the 2024 Supplementary Appropriation Bill submitted to it by President Bola Tinubu.
Agbese, in an interview, on Friday, said the House is committed to ensuring that the Supplementary Appropriation Bill, when approved, serves the interest of Nigerians.
The President had on Wednesday, sought for the increase of the 2024 budget by N6.2 trillion, consisting of N3.2 trillion for capital expenditure and N3 trillion for recurrent expenditure.
The deputy spokesman noted that the House will work closely with the Senate to ensure a swift passage of the bill.
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According to him, “We will not compromise on our commitment to transparency and accountability. We will take the time to get it right, and we are confident that the end result will be a budget that benefits all Nigerians.
“We have a good working relationship with the Senate, and we are confident that we can work together to pass the supplementary budget in a timely manner. We will work together to ensure that the budget is passed with the necessary scrutiny and oversight.
“We are looking at critical infrastructure projects that will impact the lives of Nigerians, such as roads, bridges, and healthcare facilities.
“We are also looking at education and public welfare initiatives that will benefit our constituents. We want to ensure that the budget is inclusive and benefits all Nigerians, regardless of their location or socio-economic status.”
Agbese lauded the Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, Rt. Hon. Abubakar Bichi, for changing the dynamics in the country’s budgetary process.
“His (Bichi) commitment to transparency and accountability has been exemplary, and his leadership has ensured that the committee is working diligently to scrutinize the budget proposal,” he stated.