Reps assure Tinubu of speedy passage of 2024 budget before December 31

The House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation assured President Bola Tinubu of sustaining the long-established precedent of ensuring compliance with the Financial Year Act through budget passage on or before 31 December of the financial year.

The Chairman of the Committee, Abubakar Bichi, who made this known at the inaugural meeting of the Committee on Tuesday, vowed that the panel would monitor implementation by all the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) as the committee work is not just about budget appropriation.

Bichi said the panel would also facilitate strategic meetings with Chairmen of Finance, National Planning and Aids, Loans and Debt Management to gather data that will facilitate the practical function of the committee of ensuring inclusive budget preparation, appreciable implementation and effective oversight.

The lawmakers also vowed to exercise their oversight jurisdiction over relevant government agencies in monitoring the budget implementation, maintaining that this development will make the budget implementation from January to December operational and achievable.

“It is significant to note that the Appropriations Committee stands as one of the most prominent Committees that champions the course of law-making through appropriations of funds to run the affairs of government by Ministries,
Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government. This makes the Committee enjoy a wider jurisdiction than other Standing Committees.

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“In furtherance of this significant duty, the Committee’s leadership will initiate a strategic meeting with Chairmen of Finance, National Planning and Aids, Loans and Debt Management to gather data that will facilitate effective function of this Committee of ensuring inclusive budget preparation, appreciable implementation and effective oversight.

“In addition, the Committee will ensure the sustenance of the long established and cherished precedent of ensuring compliance with the Financial Year Act through budget passage on or before 31 December of each financial year. This development will no doubt
makes the budget implementation from January to December operational and achievable.

“More significantly, the Committee is empowered by Order 20, Rule 15 of the House of Representatives Standing Orders, 10th Edition, 2020 as Amended to coordinate, monitor, and supervise the implementation of all Appropriation Acts after passage by the National Assembly.

“This power will be effectively utilized to exercise oversight jurisdiction over relevant agencies such as the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Federal Ministry of Finance, Office of the Accountant General of the Federation and National Economic Intelligence Agency among others to monitor the budget implementation.

Appropriation Chairman assured its coordinating leadership role to facilitate pre-budget meetings with relevant MDAs while at the same time, and a sustainable collaboration with its sister Committee in the Senate and other relevant stakeholders

“You may agree with me that the mandate of this Committee requires serious commitment, diligence, and political will. I have no doubt that the caliber of members assembled in the Committee will promote its image through effective delivery of its core and ancillary mandates.

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“I am glad to inform you that the leadership of the Committee will utilize your experience, hard work and passion for national service to discharge the functions of the Committee by ensuring effective appropriation of funds, monitoring of budget implementation and evaluating the budget performance towards efficient service delivery.

“This will no doubt promote the implementation of the Legislative Agenda to reposition the House towards ensuring peace order and good governance of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“I therefore, solicit your support, cooperation and patronage to make the Committee lively, productive and visible within the National Assembly and beyond. The Committee’s leadership will regularly consult the Leadership
of the House for necessary legislative guidance while ensuring harmonious working relations with relevant Committees and other stakeholders to ensure speedy passage according to the budget calendar.”