2024 budget increased by over N1tn to take care of security, school feeding – Akpabio

Senate President Godswill Akpabio says Nigerians would benefit from the increased national budget of over N1 trillion by the National Assembly.

Akpabio who addressed State House journalists at the presidential villa in Abuja on Monday also stated that there are “verifiable justifications” for the action in the increment of the 2024 appropriation bill.

WesternPost reported On Saturday that the national assembly passed the 2024 budget raising the amount from N27.5 trillion to N28.7 trillion, the amount President Bola Tinubu had suggested.

The budget size was increased by N1.2 trillion.

The approved budget includes N9.9 trillion in capital expenditures, N8.7 trillion in recurrent spending, and N1.7 trillion in statutory transfers.

President Tinubu accented to the approved budget on Monday at the State House shortly after returning to Abuja from the festive holidays.

In his address, Akpabio explained that the 2024 national budget was increased to cater for the pressing needs of Nigerians particularly the school feeding, and the security situation in the country.

“He (Tinubu) also noted the slight increase in the budget, which was to take care of human capital development and take care of the needs of Nigerians, particularly the school feeding, the security situation in the country and all that and he was happy,” Akpabio said.

“Yes, the budget moved from N27 trillion to about N28 point something trillion with very verifiable justifications.

“We are excited that we are all working in one accord and Nigerians will benefit. So we have returned the country to the January to December budget.”
Akpabio declared that the national assembly would guarantee the execution of the budget.

Speaking further, the president of the senate also declared that the national assembly will not compromise on its oversight duties.

He said, “Ours is to ensure that we make sure that we monitor what goes on to ensure that yes, indeed, wanting to do a budget is one thing and another thing is for the budget to be fully implemented

“We are very pleased to undertake that. I had said so even in my address and my brother, the honourable speaker can confirm that both chambers had to do a joint sitting collaboratively to even achieve the purpose you are seeing today.”