Senate approves Buhari’s request, extends 2022 budget implementation till March 2023

The senate has extended the implementation of the 2022 budget till March 31, 2023.

The national assembly had approved N17.12 trillion for the 2022 fiscal year in December 2021.

The upper legislative chamber’s resolution to extend the 2022 budget by three months is sequel to a request made by President Muhammadu Buhari.

While presenting a report on the floor of the senate on Wednesday, December 28, Ibrahim Gobir, majority leader, said that, “Because of some key projects, it is expedient to extend the implementation of the budget because of key projects that are not provided for in the 2023 budget.”

Contributing to the debate, Adamu Aliero, senator representing Kebbi central, said that, “This is the dry season. Contractors would easily be mobilized to the site. Our roads are in bad shape. This request is in order.”

Gabriel Suswam, senator representing Benue north-east, while speaking, said that constituency projects of lawmakers should be funded in the extension of the 2022 budget, according to The Cable.

“The worry of most senators is that our projects are not funded,” Suswam said.

“In the extension of the 2022 budget, constituency projects should be funded.”

Thereafter, the senate went into the “committee of supply” to consider the report, after which the president’s request was approved.