The Senate has urged all the MDAs to be open minded, honest and factual in their deliberations at the on going 2024 Budget defence in order have to understanding for the common goal, which aimed to drastically improve the socio-economic condition of Nigerians in the shortest period with the Renewed Hope.
This call was made by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio on Tuesday at a one day retreat, with the esteemed stakeholders, on the 2024 Appropriation Bill which he said, undoubtedly is an event of significant national importance.
He said, the importance is rooted in the fact that this is another step in the 10th National Assembly’s commitment to ensuring an all-inclusive budget process for the greater national good as well as taking steps to ensure that we maintain and achieve our commitment to the January – December budget cycle.
” I commend the zeal and foresight of the Chairman and members of the Appropriations Committee, to open up the 2024 budget process for stakeholders’ engagement and feedback through this one-day retreat.
I am aware that the stakeholders gathered here today are in the business of making sacrifices on behalf of the people and committed to brainstorming, researching and proffering various suggestions and solutions on behalf of the Nigerian populace”.
He was confident that such continuous partnership and deliberations will add substantial value to the legislative work of enacting laws for good governance and the interest of the people.
He specifically commend all relevant state and non-state actors for their interests and sacrifices in ensuring that these participatory processes of public engagements, which are geared towards a better outcome of our law-making are smoothly executed.
There is no doubt that various stakeholders would want their opinions heard by those in power. Indeed, this is a key element in democracy, especially when it concerns a vital issue like the national budget of a nation dealing with the allocation of national resources.
The proper use of the national budget is critical to the economic development of any country, and it is even more so for a nation like ours, where our economy needs urgent stimulation to address myriad of challenges. Akpabio said.
” We understand that the budget is about fiscal targets, resource allocation, public expenditure policy, productivity and efficiency. We also understand
that the process is one of passage, mobilization and execution, as well as,
effective monitoring and evaluation”.
He however, clearly states that the
National Assembly will not tolerate lackadaisical attitude from government
functionaries in all MDAs in relations to issues surrounding their defenses
of submissions and resolvef to maintain the January-December budget cycle. The consequences may not be palatable for the official or the agency in the eventual passage of the 2024 Appropriation Bill.
He appreciated the caliber of men and women that attended the retreat.
