By Ibrahim Danladi

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to present both the 2023 supplementary budget and the 2024 Appropriation Bills to the House of Representatives in the near future. Speaker Hon Tajudeen Abbas announced this as the House resumed after a two-month recess.

Despite the limited time available for consideration, Abbas emphasized the importance of diligent work by lawmakers to swiftly review and pass the Appropriation Bills that address the people’s needs. He stressed the need to maintain the tradition of speedy budget consideration established by the 9th House.

The speaker acknowledged the nation’s economic challenges, including rising living costs, high energy expenses, and inadequate wages. He appealed to the organized labor, represented by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), to reconsider their plans for a nationwide strike, citing the government’s efforts to alleviate the hardships faced by Nigerians and the commitment to ensuring a livable wage for workers.

In light of these challenges, the speaker urged lawmakers to align their actions with the Legislative Agenda of the House and collaborate with citizens to address the pressing issues facing the nation.