Reps amend 2020 Appropriation Act Wednesday

The House of Representatives will on Wednesday at plenary amend the Appropriation Act 2020 to extend the time for the implementation of capital projects.

This followed the request of the Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning to the House, requesting for the amendment of the expiration clause of the 2020 appropriation repeal and reenactment Act.

Reading the communication from the Minister of Finance, House Leader, Alhassan Ado-Doguwa stated that the Minister said there is huge pressure for agencies of government to meet their responsibilities.

Ado-Doguwa said the Minister was calling on the National Assembly to extend the timeline of implementation for capital projects only through the use of legislative tools to do what is right so that Nigerians can benefit from funds available after the expiration of the timeline of the budget.

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He pleaded with members to approve the plea as it is not going to affect the resolve of the House to maintain the January to December budget timeline.

In his intervention, the Speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila agreed that the effects of Covid-19 were not prepared for hence the need to consider and approve the plea for the benefits of Nigerians.

Gbajabiamila, however, pointed out that the proposed amendment of the 2020 appropriation Act cannot be done by way of a motion but through an amendment Bill and directed that it should be scheduled for the next legislative sitting date and given expeditious passage for the good of Nigerians.