The Nigerian National Assembly on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, resumed Plenary after about two-weeks suspension, dedicated to the defense of the 2025 budget with various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
Their resumption marks a pivotal moment in the nation’s legislative activities as they prepare to tackle pressing national issues.
Since their resumption on January 14, 2025 after the Christmas and New Year break, the National Assembly had suspended Plenary to enable the Appropriation sub-committees begin consideration of the 2025 federal budget.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had last year presented a N49.7 trillion budget proposal for the 2025 fiscal year to the joint session of the National Assembly.
The past weeks had witnessed Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government appearing before the National Assembly to defend their 2025 Appropriation.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, Senator Sani Musa, said the Budget defense by the MDAs had been eventful.
“We did an analysis of what their performances were in 2024, vis a vis, their expenditures in 2024 and then we looked at their projections and expenditures for 2025. Where necessary, we knock out certain multiple expenditures and then we evaluate to see what was the difference between 2023 and 2024 and then based on the percentage we have seen, we aggregated it and we believe that the projections the Committee have given is what should come into the consolidated revenue fund. I believe that the more revenue we are making, the more we are reducing our deficit” he said.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, while addressing the chamber during the opening plenary in January, emphasized the importance of the 2025 budget as a blueprint for addressing Nigeria’s economic challenges.
Senator Akpabio urged his colleagues to unite together for the task of building a purposeful Nigeria.
“Nigeria is counting on us. The time to act is now,l. Let us unite in purpose, strive for the common goal and dedicate ourselves wholly to the task of nation building. May God bless our efforts, may God guide our deliberations, may God protect our distinguished colleagues, may God protect our distinguished brothers in the House of Representatives, protect even the Executives and grant all of us to move this nation forward” Senator Akpabio prayed.
Legislating on national issues
Apart from expediting action on the passage of the 2025 Budget, the Tax Reform Bills 2024, the investigation of economic sabotage in the petroleum industry, plus other pressing national issues will also be of priority to the legislative arm of government.
This year plenary promises to be eventful as both Chambers review key sectors, including infrastructure development, health, education, and social security.
With rising public concerns over inflation, unemployment, and insecurity, the lawmakers are under immense pressure to ensure the budget addresses these challenges.
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Capital Market, Senator Osita Izunaso, said Nigerians should expect purposeful and robust deliberations that will meet the expectations of the people.
“Our major target has always been security, trying to ensure proper security in the land and youth unemployment and empowerment. These are our major legislative focus. We will continue with it as we open on the 4th of February” Senator Izunaso said.
With the eyes of the nation fixed on the two Chambers, this week’s session marks the beginning of a crucial chapter in Nigeria’s quest for sustainable development.
Emmanuel Ukoh
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