Senate approves N2.17trillion Supplementary Budget

By Andrew Oota

Regardless , Senate yesterday approved N2.17trillion supplementary budget of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu with controversial provisions for a presidential Yatch,luxurious vehicles for the unconstitutional office of the first lady .

The passage was on the heels of a harmonized report of the Senate and House of Representatives presented by chairman of the Senate panel on Appropriations Solomon Adeola.

The approved budget specifically authorizes the spending of N2.9billion for sport utility vehicles for the presidential villa and another N2.9billion for the replacement of operational vehicles .

The budget includes 18 billion for statutory transfer meant for the Independent National Electoral Commission, N1. 33 trillion for recurrent and non-debt expenditures. N1.1 trillion for contribution to development fund and capital expenditure in the year ending on the 31st day of December 2023.

Adeola noted that the National Assembly had, a few months ago, approved the total of N819.5 billion presented by the president which amongst other things was for the provision of a N500 billion palliative package to cushion the effects of the recent economic policies of the Federal Government.

According to him, the bill seeks to provide additional palliative measures including the Wages and rewards of public servants, the cash transfer program for the most vulnerable, and additional funds for critical defense expenditure urgently required to ensure peace and lives of security.

It also provides for critical investment in road infrastructure which, the Committee chairman said must commence within the dry season of November and December.

The benefiting agencies also include the Ministry of Defence; Police Formation and Command; Office of the National Security Adviser; The Department of State Security Services; The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security Ministry of Work, housing, and the Federal Capital Territory Administration.