By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives has reaffirmed its commitment to passing the 2025 Appropriation Bill by the end of January, as budget defence sessions with Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) are set to commence on Tuesday, January 7.
This was disclosed by the Chairman, House Committee on Appropriations, Rep. Abubakar Bichi, following a meeting with chairpersons of the House standing committees on Monday in Abuja.
Rep.Bichi stated that the budget defence process would run from January 7 to January 17, 2025, with reports from the exercise likely to be harmonised by January 22, and that the Appropriations Committee plans to present its final report to the House during plenary on January 31.
According to Bichi, the committee, alongside other standing committees, was committed to conducting a detailed and thorough review of the budget to ensure it aligns with the needs of Nigerians.
He said: “We just had an integration meeting today for the 2025 Appropriation Bill, which you are aware the President presented to us. By tomorrow (7th January), we’ll start the budget defence with all the MDAs. This will run until the 17th. We will likely harmonise by the 22nd.
“We are going to study the budget; all our committees will study the budget. I believe the budget is for Nigerians, for our development – infrastructure and other important things – and I am sure Nigerians will be happy with it.”
The chairman further assured that the proposed expenditures, revenue projections, and other components of the 2025 Appropriation Bill, submitted by President Bola Tinubu, would be subjected to rigorous scrutiny.
Naijablitznews.com recalled that President Tinubu presented the N49.74 trillion 2025 Appropriation Bill before a joint session of the National Assembly on December 18, 2024.
The House passed the bill through second reading on December 19, 2024, referring it to the Appropriations Committee, with all standing committees serving as sub-committees for a detailed review.