The House of Representatives passed the N27.5tn 2024 budget for a second reading on Friday.
Leading the debate on the general principles of the budget, a member representing Kosofe Federal Constituency, Lagos State, Kafilat Ogbara, described the 2024 Appropriation Bill as a people-centric budget aimed at bettering the lives of Nigerians.
At the resumed debate on Friday, members took turns to ask for an upward review of the budgetary allocation to education and health, among others.
Making his contribution on the floor of the House, Obinna Ginger, a member of the Labour Party representing Isiala Ngwa North/South Federal Constituency, Abia State, said, “From what was presented by Mr President, the education sector is not fully represented. Let us look at upgrading the allocation to education because we still have less than 26 per cent of the UNESCO benchmark.”
The Telegraph reports that at the second reading stage, the merits of the bill are debated and discussed. Once the motion has been moved and supported, the bill is debated by members of the chamber and thereafter put to a vote on whether it should proceed to the committee stage.
If a simple majority of members in the relevant chamber support the bill, it proceeds to the committee stage for further consideration.
Following the passage of the bill through second reading, the Speaker, Abbas Tajudeen announced that the House would adjourn the House till December 12 to allow committees to work on the budget.
The adjournment was subsequently moved by the Deputy Majority Leader, Ali Halims and was adopted.
