Breaking News: National Assembly Set To Approve 2024 Budget 

The 2024 Appropriation Bill is scheduled for passage today, Saturday, December 30, at the plenary session of the National Assembly. Both the Red and Green chambers will endorse the harmonized 2024 budget during their respective sittings. CONTINUE READING

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In an announcement by the Clerk to the Senate, Chinedu Akubueze, conveyed to the media on Saturday morning, the plenary session has been rescheduled to commence promptly at 1 pm. The Clerk to the House of Representatives, Dr. Yahaya Danzaria, also confirmed the adjustment, moving the House’s sitting time to 1 pm.

Senate leader Opeyemi Bamidele emphasized the commitment of federal lawmakers to curtail their holidays for the expedited passage of the 2024 appropriations bill. He provided updates on the budget’s progress, assuring Nigerians that it would be passed on December 30.

Bamidele stated, “To ensure the passage of the budget, we abridged time to make all ministries, departments, and agencies appear before the joint sitting of all the relevant committees of both the Senate and House of Representatives.”

He further explained the streamlined process, stating, “This has already reduced the time for the budget defense process by half rather than appearing before the Senate first and House of Representatives later. The resolution has also removed the need for harmonization. In essence, we have been able to save time.”

The Senate leader highlighted the extraordinary effort, including weekend sessions, to meet the deadline. Bamidele affirmed the plan to reconvene on December 29 with the aim of passing the budget by December 30. He expressed the hope that on January 1, 2024, the President would have the 2024 appropriation bill for assent, ensuring its swift implementation.