The House of Representatives engaged in a rigorous debate over the 2024 appropriation bill on Friday in Abuja, with several lawmakers advocating for amplified allocation of funds towards the transportation, health, and education sectors.
In the discourse, Fredrick Agbedi (PDP-Bayelsa) highlighted the apparent neglect of people living in the riverine areas, particularly emphasizing the absence of consideration for their plight in the 2024 appropriation bill. He stressed the urgent need for the Federal Government to address this oversight, especially in connecting the neglected populace through rail infrastructure to ameliorate their challenges.
Furthermore, Agbedi lamented the disregard for the development of federal roads within the three senatorial districts in Bayelsa, underlining a prevailing sense of marginalization felt by the residents.
Similarly, Ginger Owusibe (LP-Abia) drew attention to the budget’s thematic focus on “Renewed Hope,” accentuating its significance for the nation. He pointed out that the allocation for the education sector fell short of the UNESCO recommended standard of 26%, emphasizing the necessity to bridge this gap for the country’s progress. Additionally, Owusibe advocated for an augmented budget in the health sector, citing the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 as a compelling reason for bolstering emergency preparedness.
Addressing the disparities in project allocation across geopolitical zones, Owusibe advocated for equitable treatment, particularly underscoring the need for fair consideration of the South East region. He underscored the imperative for the region to receive a more proportionate allocation of resources, aiming to assuage the prevailing sentiments of neglect and inequity.
Echoing these sentiments, Rep. Domini Okafor (APGA-Anambra) lauded the timeliness of the budget’s theme in rekindling hope among Nigerians. He underscored the budget’s potential to restore the confidence of citizens, particularly those disenchanted with tax obligations. Okafor further emphasized the urgency of leveraging the private sector to alleviate unemployment, a pressing concern for many constituents.
Rep. Cyril Godwin (PDP-Rivers) stressed the pivotal role of oversight functions in realizing the agenda of renewed hope, particularly in compelling multinational oil companies to undertake essential interventions in the country. Highlighting the imperative of strategic investment diversification, Godwin advocated for redirecting oil revenue towards critical sectors, notably agriculture, to foster sustainable national development.
Furthermore, Rep. Ahmed Muniru (PDP-Kaduna) emphasized the need for judicious and efficient utilization of the proposed N27.5 trillion budget, above and beyond the sheer magnitude of the allocation. He cautioned that the effective implementation, particularly in crucial areas such as infrastructure, transportation, health, and anti-corruption measures, would ultimately determine the budget’s impact on societal well-being.
As the 2024 appropriation bill passes its second reading, the House is set to reconvene on December 12 to further deliberate on the pivotal fiscal document. This development underscores the critical importance of robust and inclusive budgetary allocations to propel national development and foster equitable progress across all sectors.
NAN
