Senate Vows Accountability for N28.7 Trillion 2024 Budget

By Abass Ganiyu


The Senate has pledged to ensure strict accountability for every kobo spent in the N28.7 trillion 2024 Renewed Hope budget. This commitment was articulated by Senate Spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu (APC, Ekiti-South), during a discussion with Saturday PUNCH regarding the budget's performance and oversight.

President Bola Tinubu signed the N28.7 trillion appropriation bill into law on January 1, 2024, after it was submitted by the National Assembly. Upon signing, President Tinubu emphasized that the budget's implementation would be "efficiently pursued and vigorously monitored," insisting that all institutional mechanisms be held accountable.

The National Assembly had passed the 2024 appropriation bill on December 30, 2023, increasing its size from the initially proposed N27.5 trillion to N28.7 trillion, marking a N1.2 trillion increase.

Senator Adaramodu highlighted the significance of the 2024 budget, noting that it was the first budget fully handled by the 10th National Assembly. He assured that the full implementation of the 2024 budget would commence in June, following the extended lifespan of the 2023 budget which concludes in June this year.

"We are committed to ensuring that every kobo appropriated in the 2024 budget is spent exactly as planned," Adaramodu stated. "The 10th Senate and the 10th National Assembly will rigorously oversee this process."

He stressed the legislature's responsibility to ensure that all arms of government meet their obligations. "We will hold the executive accountable to ensure they deliver on their promises to Nigerians," he added.

Adaramodu underscored the urgency of delivering the dividends of democracy to Nigerians, indicating that the legislature is prepared to push the executive to fulfill its commitments, even if it means extracting "water out of stone."

The Senate's commitment to budgetary oversight reflects a broader demand for transparency and efficiency in governance, as Nigerians look to their leaders to drive tangible improvements and fulfill the promises of democracy.

Abass Ganiyu, a seasoned journalist with over a decade of experience in health reporting, environmental issues, and investigative journalism, currently covers the National Assembly, with a focus on the Senate for GoProForum.

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