Just In : Senate Explains N500b, $800m Approval For Tinubu
The Senate has provided clarifications regarding its recent approval of N500 billion and $800 million for the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
This decision had raised concerns among Nigerians, who feared that the new government would follow the footsteps of its predecessor and increase borrowing benchmarks.
The 9th National Assembly had previously allowed former President Muhammadu Buhari to accumulate a record-breaking national debt over his eight-year term, even approving additional debts in the final days of the administration.
The Debt Management Office reported that the total national debt stood at N46.25 trillion as of December 2022.
In response to the confusion surrounding the recent approval, Senate spokesperson Adeyemi Adaramodu clarified that the N500 billion was allocated for palliative measures to mitigate the impact of fuel subsidy removal on Nigerian citizens.
He explained that the Senate was aware that the approved amount might not be sufficient, considering other areas where the government could intervene. Adaramodu highlighted ongoing discussions between the government and organized labor, expressing confidence that further measures would be taken to assist the Nigerian population.
Adaramodu emphasized that the Senate promptly acceded to the President’s request because all expenditures require appropriation by the National Assembly. The passage of the palliative measure was based on the belief that it would yield positive results and benefit the intended recipients
