The extension followed a debate by the senate leader, Senator Gobir, Ibrahim (Sokoto East), requesting the amendment of the Appropriation Act 2022 by the upper chamber.
The lawmakers relaxed their standing rules to grant accelerated consideration and approval to enable him to read the bill for the first, second and third time before its passage.
The Senate leader had explained that the extension will enable the government to implement key projects in the capital component of the 2022 budget and allow for the completion of ongoing projects critical to the current administration.
He said, “You will recall that the National Assembly extended the implementation of the 2022 Appropriation Act from 31st December 2022 to 31st March 2023.
“This was to allow full implementation of the budget, especially in the light of the 2022 supplementary budget approved in December 2022, the extension had allowed MDAs to utilise a large proportion of funds released to them. However, significant amounts of funds remain with MDAs and will require a further extension to be fully expended.
“Giving the critical importance of some key projects nearing completion, requesting a further extension of the expiration clause in the Appropriation (Amendment) Act, 2022 and the Long Title and Explanatory Memorandum of the Supplementary Appropriation Act is expedient to avoid compounding the problem of abandoned projects, given that some of the projects were not provided for in the 2023 budget.”
In his contribution, Senator Gabriel Suswam (PDP, Benue Northeast), backed the request to extend the budget, however, he added that it should be spelt out that the 2022 budget would run concurrently with the 2023 Appropriation Act
The senate later resolved that the “Committee of Supply” should consider the report before it was eventually approved and request passed to extend the life of the 2022 budget till June 30, 2023.
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