Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, on Thursday assured that the Red Chamber would ensure that every naira spent out of the 2025 budget touches the lives Nigerians, and therefore urged ministries, departments and agencies, MDAs of government to ensure that.
Akpabio spoke at the stakeholders session on the Appropriation Bill at the National Assembly in Abuja.
The stakeholders public hearing heralds the inputs of the appropriation subcommittees of the earlier standing committees that interfaced with the leadership of MDAs.
The Senate President in his address observed that the 2025 fiscal policy termed the budget of restoration as “a strategic instrument to secure peace, ignite prosperity, and lay the cornerstone of a stronger, more resilient Nigeria.”
He considered the session as an opportunity for the National Assembly to craft a budget that not only meets immediate needs but that will also build a resilient and inclusive economy for generations to come.
Akpabio further explained that “The 2025 Budget of Restoration: Securing Peace, Rebuilding Prosperity,” is coming at a time when the country faces trials that would shake the resolve of lesser nations.
He however expressed confidence that the task of properly crafting the budget was not beyond the reach of the lawmakers, as he added, “that within every challenge lies the seed of opportunity. The task before us is formidable, but it is neither beyond our reach nor beneath our determination.”
“This is not an ordinary assembly, and this is not an ordinary moment. For we are not gathered here merely as legislators, public servants, or citizens, but as custodians of Nigeria’s destiny, stewards of its promise, and architects of its future.
Meanwhile, the chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriations, Senator Solomon Adeola, at the retreat lamented that a lot of revenue has been held hostage by such organizations as the NNPCL which it alleged believes “there are still some elements of subsidy that are being treated as an operational expense in their document that they still need to wipe out for more revenue to be free and some all other sundry items.”
He also cleared the air on the padding allegations that surrounded the 2024 budget, describing them as “needless controversy.”
“The unfounded allegations of missing ₦3.0 trillion, misrepresented the facts on the funds appropriated for agencies whose funds are on the first-line charge,” he stressed.
This is as he pointed out the focus of the 2025 appropriation act, maintaining that the government sees it as “a deliberate effort at solidifying the gains of previous fiscal policies while charting a course for sustainable economic growth.
“It is important to remind us all, that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria vested in the National Assembly, appropriation rights and powers over public revenues and expenditures. The appropriation rights and powers conferred on the National Assembly are exercised carefully and delicately in the best interest of the public, and to ensure that growth and development are promoted in all the senatorial districts and federal constituencies across the country.
“It is important to note that appropriation decisions made by the National Assembly are not arbitrary or solely based on its own preferences. Instead, these decisions are informed by a process that involves suggestions and input from relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of the government, and other stakeholders.
Therefore, it is uncharitable to chastise the National Assembly for exercising its appropriation powers, granted by the Nigerian Constitution, in ensuring that there is development and government presence in every section of the country.”
He highlighted that in the past the country borrowed money to stabilize the Naira so that the exchange rate can be somehow good and that it was free from threats.
