The 2014 appropriation
bill today passed second reading on the floor of the House of Representatives.
Contributing to the debate, Yakubu Dogara condemned the 7billion
naira appropriated for the proposed national dialogue stressing that the
dialogue is not recognized by law. Deputy minority leader of the House, Femi
Gbajabiamila while contributing to the debate described the budget as
voodoo economics.
Hon Gbajabiamila condemned the 23% allocated to
capital projects, 16% to debt servicing and an expected deficit of 912billion
naira to be serviced from funds obtained from the sales of government property
stressing that it doesn`t make for job creation and an inclusive growth.
He
also observed a duplication of function in the budget citing example of a
situation in the budget where 120million naira was allocated to the Federal
Road Safety Commission for road work which he said was a function of the
ministry of works.
Also contributing to the debate, Shehu Shagari
made a case for the judiciary where he said the 68billion naira allocated for
the judiciary in the 2014 budget was too meager.
After an extensive debate on
the budget by lawmakers, speaker of the House, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal
put the budget to a voice vote which was unanimously adopted by lawmakers.
He
referred the budget to the House Committee on Appropriation and Finance for
further legislative action. Plenary was adjourned till Tuesday, the 18 of
February
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