By Adedapo Adesanya
The Senate, on Thursday, passed the N2.176 trillion 2023 Supplementary Appropriation Bill after the third reading.
Before the passage of the bill, the Senate adopted the report of the harmonized sittings of both red and green chambers on the 2023 supplementary budget as submitted by the Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, Mr Solomon Olamilekan Adeola.
Recall that the National Assembly recently passed a Supplementary Appropriation Bill 2023 for a total of N819.5 billion for critical economic policy decisions of the federal government.
A few days ago, President Bola Tinubu wrote to the parliament, saying, “It has, however, become necessary to make further provision for additional palliative measures, including the wage award for public servants and the enhanced cash transfer program which is intended to benefit the most vulnerable members of our society.
“In addition, critical defence expenditures are also urgently required to provide for peace and the security of lives and property without which the government’s economic growth agenda cannot be achieved.
“Similarly, critical investments are also required to construct much-needed infrastructure, particularly roads which projects must be commenced within the (dry season) period between now and the end of the year.”
The N2.176 trillion 2023 supplementary budget proposal by President Tinubu, submitted to the House of Representatives on Tuesday, prioritised the security of Nigerians and their property as defence got the highest allocation of N476.543 billion. Works was allocated N300 billion while the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security got N200 billion.
Housing got N100 billion, the Federal Capital Territory Administration got N100 billion While Police Commands and Allocation got N50 billion.
Also included in the supplementary appropriation bill are Service Wide Votes which were allocated N615 billion, capital supplementation (N210 billion) while State House was allocated N28 billion.
Others include the Department of State Services (N49 billion), Office of the National Security Adviser (N29.7 billion) and Independent National Electoral Commission (N18 billion) for the conduct of the off-cycle governorship election in Bayelsa, Kogi and Imo States on November 11.
