From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
House of Representatives has passed the 2024 Appropriation Bill, presented to the National Assembly, by President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, for second reading.
The House the approved the Appropriation Bill for second reading, on Friday, after a two-day debate on the general princess of the bill. Thereafter, it adjourned plenary to December 12 to enable Ministries, Department and Agencies ( MDAs) appear before House Committee to defend their 2024 budget estimates.
Some of the lawmakers, while contributing to the debate, lauded President Tinubu for the budget, with members from the South East calling on the government to prioritize the provision of infrastructure for the the zone.
Paul Nnamchi, in his contribution, urged the Federal Government to use the 2024 budget to extend rail lines to the South East. Nnamchi explained that extending rail lines to the South East, apart from easing the transportation burden on the people, will also boost the economy of the country.
Nevertheless, the lawmaker commended President Tinubu for the allocation to the education sector, noting that there is need to increase the budget for the sector. According to him, increased budgetary allocation to education, “is not just an expenditure, but a strategic investment in the future.”
Similarly, Ginger Onwusibe, stressed the need for more allocation to infrastructural development, in the South East, so as to address the plight of the people of the zone.
Onwusibe said” We from the South East cannot continue to cry marginalization.
There is no motorable federal road in the South East. We should consider the South East and allocate more resources to its infrastructursl development.”
On his part, the House deputy minority leader, Aliyu Madaki, who described the 2024 as “very realistic”, expressed optimism that it would be impactful.
Regardless, Madaki stated the Appropriation Bill ought to have been christened “Budget of Hope” and not “Renewed Hope”, as the immediate past administration did not offer any hope to the country in the last eight years.
According to him, ” In the last eight years, if we will true to ourselves, there was nothing for us to hope about.”
Also, Kafilat Ogara, in her contribution, hailed the budget as ” people centric budget”, stating that it laid emphasis on
security, education, human capital development amongst others.
Ogara, while noting that the actualization of the budget requires collective effort, urged the parliament to ensured that funds allocated to agencies are judiciously utilized.