The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday stepped down the 2024 FCT Supplementary Budget of ₦98.5 billion amid concerns over its lack of detail.
Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele presented the proposed estimates without breakdown of the funds or specifying projects.
Senator Ede Dafinone (APC, Delta Central) and Senator Sani Musa (APC, Niger East) objected, stressing that the supplementary budget fails to indicate how the funds will be utilised.
They therefore demanded further clarification on revenue generation and utilisation by the Federal Capital Territory Administration.
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Presiding Officer, Godswill Akpabio acknowledged the budget’s lack of details but asked the Senators to allow it scale second reading. When put to a voice vote, the “nays” were loudest but he did not put the gravel to it.
The presiding officer quickly called the Senate Leader to approach the chair, and the bill was subsequently stepped down to allow the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike provide detailed explanations on the specific projects tied to the funds.
Senate Leader Bamidele thereafter told the lawmakers that the Chairman, Senate Committee on FCT, Ibrahim Bomai provided the details but the Senate resolved to allow all Senators to have a copy of the document for proper debate.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
