President Bola Tinubu has rejected a bill which seeks to extend the service year of National Assembly workers by an additional five years.
The bill sought to increase the retirement age from 60 to 65 years or 35 to 40 years of service while the extant law prescribes 60 years of age or 35 years of service for retirement.
The bill had generated controversy among senators who had initially rejected it but following pressure from the workers union, it was later reconsidered and passed before transmitted to the President for assent.
President Tinubu in a letter on Tuesday to the Senate says upon thorough examination and careful consideration, he has decided to withhold assent to the Bill.
He says the decision is made in accordance with the powers vested in him by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He expressed appreciation for the diligent work of the Senate with regard to the drafting and passage of this Bill.
He however says he trusts that the decision will be received with understanding and acceptance.
Meanwhile, the President has written the Senate seeking approval for Federal Capital Territory 2024 Supplementary Budget for consideration and passage
President Tinubu says the move is in accordance
with the provisions of Section 121 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The Supplementary Budget Proposal, according to President Tinubu, has been prepared based on the FCT Administration’s reviewed revenue and expenditure forecasts and is aligned with the fiscal and developmental policies of the Federal Government and the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He says with it, the FCT Administration continues to prioritise the improvement of human capital and infrastructure within the Federal Capital Territory.
The Senate had approved the 2024 Statutory Budget for the FCT, amounting to N1.282 trillion which was an increase of N135 billion from the figure initially proposed by the FCT Administration.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)