The House of Representatives has shifted the passage of the 2023 budget to December 28. The reason, it was learnt, is to tidy up some key ends in the very important money bill.
The lawmakers initially planned to pass the N20.5 trillion budget on Thursday (today) before proceeding on their Christmas/New Year break.
However, during plenary on Thursday, the Speaker, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, announced a slight change in the plan, urging members to adjourn for Christmas but to return on December 28 for the singular assignment of passing the budget.
“We just have to come back on Wednesday. We will come back for the one item of passing the budget; that’s all. Then, we can proceed on break fully”, he stated.
President Muhammadu Buhari had laid the estimates of the budget before a joint session on of the National Assembly in Abuja on October 7.
Lawmakers, desirous of sustaining the January-December budget cycle, made a pledge to pass the 2023 Appropriation Bill this December.