The 2020 Appropriation Bill passed second reading in the House of Representatives at Thursday’s plenary after extensive debates.
Having passed second reading, the Bill which captures the 2020 budget estimates amounting to N10.33 trillion would be treated at the Committee level for third reading which entails passage of the next year’s budget.
House Majority Leader, Alhassan Doguwa, presented the Bill titled: “A Bill for an Act to authorize the issue from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation the total sum of N10,330,416,607,347 (Ten Trillion, Three Hundred and Thirty Billion, Four Hundred and Sixteen Million, Six Hundred and Seven Thousand, Three Hundred and Forty-Seven Naira) only to the House.
Debate on the general principle of the Appropriation Bill/ budget commenced in the House on Wednesday and continued Thursday during which Members expressed varied opinion on estimates.
While some Members commended President Muhammadu Buhari and the Executive for the early presentation of the budget and allocations to various sectors of the economy, others picked holes in the budget because of lack of capital projects.
Dan Asuquo from Cross River State, demanded that the details of the budget needed to be made available before the debate to enable members speak appropriately.
“I am commenting on the speech and the intention of the Executive for 2020. I don’t have the details yet. I cannot speak about the budget I don’t have the details”, he said.
Nnolim Nnaji from Enugu State called for much more funds to be allocated to fixing the airports as it would give life to commercial activities and in turn contribute to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
“I am more concerned about our airports. I believe that our airports should be given a serious consideration. The infrastructures at the airports should be stepped up. They have collapsed. Our airports should be developed in such a way that they can be a hub,” he said.
Ken Chikere from Rivers State while making his contribution lamented the stated of roads infrastructure in his State, pleading the House to ensure there was proper implementation of the budget when eventually passed.
He also emphasised the need to know the population of the country to enable the government to generate the necessary data and statistics for proper budgeting system.
“I plead with the House to see there is a proper implementation of the budget. It is our duty now to look at those estimates and come up with a budget. We should be mindful of the implementation of the budget. Lack of implementation is illegal. This country as presently constituted cannot make any progress unless the senate and the house come together.
Also, Benjamin Kalu from Abia State said that while he supported the passage of the budget into second reading, the House should ensure that the business climate in Nigeria should be made attractive and emphasised onthe need for the government to patronise made in Nigeria goods to grow the economy.
“My problem is the current business environment that we have. It is high time we reformed the economic environment like Rwanda. We need to patronise our own like, Innoson motors”, he said.
Consequently, the House adjourned plenary to October 29 to enable Members dissolve into their various standing Committees for Ministries, Departments and Agencies to appear for budget defence.
James Kwen, Abuja
