By Cross Udo, Abuja
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, on Sunday justified the increment to the budget from N27.5trn as presented by President Bola Tinubu to N28. 78 trillion.
The joint session of the National Assembly passed the 2024 Appropriation Bill on Saturday.
This is as the Speaker has assured that Nigerians should expect a notable difference in budget implementation, once President Tinubu signs the 2024 appropriation bill into law.
Speaking to journalists after a Christmas homage to the President in his residence in Lagos, the Speaker said the N28.78trn harmonised budget passed by the National Assembly on Saturday will define Tinubu’s administration as people-centric.
According to him, “After we received the budget proposal, we worked extra hours, no weekends, no breaks, even during Christmas we had to work to ensure that we’re able to deliver on our promise to Mr. President that the budget will be passed before the end of the year.
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‘’It’s a lot of sacrifice put into this work but to God be the glory, we’re able to deliver and we delivered well.”
*Says Nigeria set for profound change in budget implementation
On the adjustments made in the budget from N27.5trn presented by the President to N28.78trn passed by the House and the Senate, the speaker noted that the lawmakers diligently scrutinised every aspect of the budget.
He said, “We expect the budget to deliver because there’s no sector that we did not cross-check, scrutinised and made inquiries as to what is required to make the desired impact to the economy and the people.
‘’I assure you that by the time the 2024 appropriation is signed into law, and we start implementing it, Nigerians will see the difference.
‘’This is a budget that is going to define the Tinubu administration’s commitment to the people of this country. “
