Nigeria’s House of Representatives has considered and passed through second reading the 2022 Appropriation Bill presented by President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday, October 7, 2021.
This decision followed arguments and counterarguments by lawmakers from the two major political parties in the country over some clauses in the bill.
The opposition lawmakers on the second day of debate called for caution over government expenditure and borrowings emphasising the need for measures that will enhance increased revenue generation, investment in technology and youth empowerment.
Even while most lawmakers were absent from plenary proceedings and some were seen observing their Muslim prayers inside the chamber, most of those present picked holes in the parameters captured by the executive in the document.
The most worrisome parameters for lawmakers include the Naira-Dollar exchange rate, crude oil benchmark, and budget deficit to be serviced by new borrowings.
The bill was, however, passed by the House with expectations that the appropriation and other standing committees will oversee a thorough defence of some contentious sections in the appropriation especially with the opposition alleging that some Ministries, Departments and Agencies have withheld funds allocated in the 2021 Budget for critical projects.