Senate Extends Implementation Of 2023 Capital, Supplementary Budgets On President Tinubu’s Request

Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Thursday announced the extension of the implementation of the capital part of the 2023 budget until Dec. 31 on President Bola Tinubu's request.

Aside from this budget, during the plenary session, the senate also extended the implementation of the N2.17 trillion 2023 supplementary budget until December, Premium Times reported.

This is the second time lawmakers have extended the implementation of the 2023 budget and its parts since Tinubu took office in May last year. Back in March, the Senate extended the implementation of the capital part of the 2023 budget and the N2.17 trillion 2023 supplementary budget until June.

The 2023 budget will be implemented for two years, even though the 2024 budget already exists. This means the federal government is currently working on implementing both the 2023 and 2024 budgets at the same time.

During the plenary session, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele discussed the extension of the budget, explaining that it was necessary to give the federal government enough time to finish ongoing projects included in the budget.

"This Bill, therefore, intends to further extend the implementation period of the Acts to 31st December, 202,4 given the strategic importance of some key projects nearing completion and to allow for continued implementation for the maximum benefit of the country," Bamidele said, Premium Times reported.

"Undoubtedly, this would go a long way to avoid the compounding problems of abandoned projects. Hence, the need for the enactment of this proposed legislation to extend the implementation."

Bamidele noted that he urged his colleagues to give "their full support to these bills to allow for full utilization of the capital releases to help reflate the economy."

The Minority Leader Abba Moro also supported the extension, noting it was the requirement at a given time. Senate Chief Whip Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South) shared that the main reason behind the extension was to allow the federal government to complete ongoing capital projects.

Orji Kalu (APC, Abia North) also echoed similar sentiments. However, Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) argued the budget extension and advised the lawmakers to finish the ongoing projects with the approved budget.