Senate passes N819.5bn 2022 Supplementary Budget

The Senate has passed the 2022 Supplementary Budget of N819.5 billion.

The budget was passed on Wednesday after the chairman of the appropriation committee, Jibrin Barau, presented a report to the lawmakers at plenary in Abuja on Wednesday.

Barau recalled that the 2022 Supplementary Budget, all of which were Capital Expenditure, was read the first time on December 21.

He said the bill would, among other things, make available additional funds to cushion the effects of the 2022 flood on road infrastructure, agriculture, water infrastructure and completion of some ongoing critical projects that had achieved about 85 per cent completion.

Barau stated that the supplementary bill would be financed through additional domestic borrowings, which would raise the 2022 budget to N8.17 trillion only, and Deficit/GDP to 4.43 per cent.

He said the committee observed that the effects of the 2022 flood across the country and its attendant consequences on roads, bridges, farmlands and the water sector necessitated the supplementary bill request.

Barau said: “Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) involved in the Supplementary Appropriation Bill requests are: Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

“Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, and Federal Ministry of water Resources.”

The chairman said the committee recommended that the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development should get N69 billion.

According to him, Ministry of Works and Housing will get N704 billion, while Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will receive N30 billion.

The lawmaker stated that the Federal Ministry of Water Resources will get N15.5 billion.

In his contribution, Sen. Smart Adeyemi (APC-Kogi) said the budget would be of benefit to all the nook and cranny of the country.

“The projects will help in guaranteeing security and ensuring the socio-economic development of rural areas.”

However, Sen. Mohammed Ndume (APC-Borno) said: “My worry is that this is the reality of what we are doing today.

“It is today that this Senate has considered to extend the budget by 90 days.

“This budget, even if approved, how realistic is it going to be. By the time we process this and the due process that is required in budget implementation for contract execution cannot be circumvented.

“If that is the case, assuming we pass it today, we have 90 days to implement.

“If it is agreed that some of these monies have to be spent within 90 days. It is not possible. Let us not deceive ourselves.

“We should amend the 2023 budget to take care of this projects so that they will have 12 months of implementation.”

The budget was thereafter approved and passed after going through the Committee of Supply.

The Star

Segun Ojo