The House of Representatives has amended the 2023 Supplementary Appropriation Act to allow for an extension in the implementation of capital projects.
The House in an accelerated hearing on Wednesday amended the Supplementary Act to extend implementation of the capital components from March 30 to June 30.
The amendment followed President Bola Tinubu’s request in a letter read at the House of Representatives at plenary on Wednesday.
Tinubu’s letter titled: “Transmission of Appropriation Amendment Bill 2024 and Supplementary Appropriation Amendment Bill 2024 for consideration”, said it was under provisions of section 58 (2) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).
“I forward here with the Appropriation Amendment Bill 2024 for the kind consideration of the Senate. The Appropriation Amendment Bill 2024 seeks to amend the Appropriation Act 2023 to further extend the time for implementing the capital expenditures of the Appropriation Act 2023 from 31st March 2024 to 30th June 2024 while the Supplementary Appropriation Act 2024 seeks to amend the Supplementary Appropriation Act 2023 to extend it’s implementation period from 31st March 2024 to 30th June 2024.
“These extensions are necessary to ensure that the provisions of the Acts are exhaustively implemented”, he said.
Presenting the bill, the Majority Leader, Rep. Usman Kumu (APC-Gombe) said that the amendment became necessary following a request by President Bola Tinubu.
He said that the request to extend the implementation date of the budget was in the best interest of the country.
Kumo said that the bill needed the approval of all lawmakers for the good governance of the country, urging them to support it.
ALSO READ Senate extends 2023 Appropriation Act to June 2024
The bill, after scaling first and second readings, was considered by the Committee of Supply and was passed for a third reading.
Tinubu had asked the National Assembly to amend the 2023 Appropriation Act to allow for an extension in the implementation of capital projects.
In a letter addressed to the Speaker, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas on Wednesday, Tinubu requested the house to extend the implementation from March 31 to June 30.
In the letter read by the speaker on the floor of the house, the president urged the house to expedite action on the amendment to ensure the completion of ongoing projects.
