President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday, signed the N2.176 trillion Supplementary Appropriation Act in Abuja.
A statement signed by Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity said this was to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture and address Nigeria’s critical infrastructure deficit, amongst other considerations.
The President signed the Supplementary Appropriation Act, 2023, in his office at the State House in the presence of key government officials such as the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume.
Others were Majority Leader of the Senate, Opeyemi Bamidele; the Chairmen of the Appropriation Committees in the Senate, Sen. Olamilekan Adeola, and the House of Representatives, Hon. Abubakar Bichi, and Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr. Zacch Adedeji.
The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Abubakar Bagudu, provided a breakdown of the supplementary budget.
Bagudu said the newly approved expenditure for defence and security consisted of about thirty percent, while thirty-five percent was dedicated to the provision of critical infrastructure to be allocated to the Federal Ministries of Works, the Federal Capital Territory, and Housing & Urban Development.
The Minister further explained that thirty-two percent of the supplementary budget was allocated to the new Wage Award for treasury-paid federal workers to cushion the effect of the removal of fuel subsidy, in addition to cash transfers to vulnerable persons, and support to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), amongst other considerations.
President Tinubu commended the National Assembly for its expeditious consideration and approval.
The President assured Nigerians that the executive arm of government would ensure the judicious use of the budgeted resources.
