President seeks approval for FCTA supplementary budget

The National Assembly resumed its plenary sessions on Tuesday following the annual recess that began in late July.

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, presided over their respective chambers, reading several correspondences from President Bola Tinubu.

The communications included a Supplementary Appropriation Bill for the Federal Capital Territory Administration, the nomination of Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun for confirmation as the Chief Justice of Nigeria, and a request for confirmation of commissioners for the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission.

In a letter dated September 19, 2024 addressed to the National Assembly, President Tinubu said the supplementary budget for the FCTA was pursuant to the provision of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

The letter read, “I write in accordance with the provisions of Section 121 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to forward herewith an additional supplementary budget proposal for the FCTA for consideration and passage by the House of the Representatives.

“This supplementary budget proposal has been prepared on the basis of the FCTA’S reviewed revenue and expenditure forecasts and is aligned with the fiscal and developmental policies of the Federal Government and the Renewed Hope Agenda.

“With it, the FCTA continues to prioritise the improvement of human capital and infrastructure within the Federal Capital Territory.

“While I trust that the House of Representatives will in their usual expeditious manner consider and approve the 2024 supplementary budget proposal of the FCTA, please accept, Rt Honourable Speaker, the assurances of my highest consideration and regards.”

The President also notified the National Assembly of his rejection of a bill seeking to extend the service years of the Clerk to the National Assembly and other parliamentary staff.

After these formalities, the lawmakers paid tribute to the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, by observing a moment of silence.

Senator Ubah, who passed away in late July 2024 at the age of 52, represented the Anambra South Senatorial District and chaired the Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream).

Following the tribute, the plenary session was adjourned to honour the late senator’s legacy.

The adjournment of the plenary follows the parliament’s tradition of suspending legislative business for the next day in the event of a lawmaker’s passing.