Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Hon. Philip Agbese, said the green chamber has thoroughly scrutinised the 2025 budget proposals currently before the legislature.
The House commenced the 2025 budget defence session with Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) on January 7 and fixed January 31 for the presentation of the Appropriation Committee report. However, the lawmakers are on recess and will reconvene on February 4.
Speaking with journalists about the progress of the appropriation bill, the deputy spokesperson said the standing committees had taken time to work on the budget estimates of the various MDAs before its passage.
Agbese said: “You are aware that we commenced the defence of the 2025 budget estimates earlier this month, and so far, we have done a good job. As promised, we did our best to ask the relevant questions, and when we were not satisfied, we demanded explanations.
“Some of the MDAs made beautiful presentations, others did not. The media witnessed some, if not all, of these issues during our budget defence sessions. What was not done in the media spotlight is that we carried out a surgical operation on these proposals so that Nigerians would get value for their money.
“As a parliament, we are aware of the difficulties of the times, and there is no way we would approve frivolous budgetary demands. We made it clear to the Ministers and Heads of agencies that they must look for innovative ways to generate revenue to enable the government to run effectively.
“We also clarified that we will not approve frivolous demands as proposed. They left with this message, aware that with the 10th Assembly, it is never business as usual anymore.”
The lawmaker representing the Ado/Ogbadibo/Okpokwu federal constituency of Benue state said the House, under the leadership of Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, would always prioritise integrity when carrying out any national assignment such as the money bill.
“From day one, we promised that as representatives of Nigerians, we would ensure that the right thing is done. The budget is about Nigerians, and so anything that goes contrary to Nigerians’ interests will not be of interest to us,” he stressed.
