The Nigerian House of Representatives has approved a N2.17 trillion supplementary budget for 2023, which includes N18 billion for statutory transfer, N992.8 billion for recurrent expenditure, and N1.16 trillion for development fund for capital expenditure.The budget was passed for a second reading on Tuesday after a debate led by the Majority Leader of the House, Julius Ihonvbere. Ihonvbere argued that the government needs the money to fund the agreement between the federal government and the NLC, which includes wage increases for public sector workers. He also urged his colleagues to pass the bill so that workers could enjoy their end-of-year holiday.Another lawmaker, Ben Kalu, supported the bill, arguing that the N1.16 trillion for capital projects is needed to urgently improve roads across the country.The bill was adopted unanimously by the House and has been referred to the Committee on Appropriations for further consideration.In expanded form, the supplementary budget can be broken down as follows:
- Statutory transfer: N18 billionRecurrent expenditure: N992.8 billion
- Salaries and wages: N372.1 billionPensions and gratuities: N219.2 billionOverhead: N401.5 billion
- Roads: N605 billionAgricultural production: N200 billionFederal government workers’ wage awards: N210 billionCash transfer to vulnerable and poor Nigerians: N400 billion
The supplementary budget will be used to fund urgent expenditures that were not included in the original 2023 budget. It is expected to be passed by the Senate soon and signed into law by President Tinubu.