By Ken Afor
The Nigerian Senate Thursday approved the N2.17 trillion supplementary budget for fiscal year 2023 presented by President Bola Tinubu.
President of the Nigerian Senate, Godswill Akpabio gave the approval after a voice vote from the Senators.
This is a follow-up to the Senate Confirmation Committee’s adoption at Thursday’s plenary session.
The Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Adeola Olamilekan, released the committee report before Akpabio passed the bill and called for a vote before it could be debated, it was passed with the participation of members.
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives excluded the N5 billion presidential yacht fund from the 2023 supplementary budget.
This was disclosed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abubakar Bichi, after the adoption of the N2.17 trillion supplementary budget.
Bichi told newsmen that the committee canceled the project and diverted the money towards N10 billion student loans.
Recall there was an uproar from Nigerians on Wednesday after the figure was made public.
It was gathered that N4 billion will be used for the renovation of the residential quarters for the president in Abuja.
Also, N2.5 billion was voted for renovation of residential quarters for the Vice President in Abuja.
An additional N4 billion will be used for renovating the Dodan Barracks, Lagos, the official residence for the president.
The N2.17 trillion Supplementary Budget also includes the renovation of official quarters for the Vice President in Lagos for N3 billion, construction of office complex in the presidential villa for N40 billion and the diverted N5 billion to the student loan was initially for the yacht which has been debunked by the presidency saying that the yacht was for the Nigerian Navy.
The supplementary budget also included N7.3 billion for the purchase of SUVs and operational vehicles for the office of the First Lady and the presidency.
