Senate Urges President Tinubu to Seek Supplementary Budget for CNG Initiative
In a recent development, the Nigerian Senate has cautioned President Bola Tinubu against unauthorized expenditure, advising him to pursue a supplementary budget for his Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) initiative.
The recommendation was put forth by the Senate’s Committee on Gas, led by Senator Jarigbe Jarigbe, urging the executive arm of government to promptly present a 2023 Supplementary Budget to the National Assembly to kickstart the ambitious Compressed Natural Gas project.
This advice comes just within 48 hours of President Tinubu’s announcement of measures aimed at alleviating the impact of fuel subsidy removal on Nigerians.
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The senators emphasized the legal implications of engaging in extra-budgetary spending, asserting that such practices were contrary to the established laws governing fiscal matters.
While commending President Tinubu for the visionary CNG initiative, Senator Jarigbe Jarigbe cautioned that expending taxpayer funds on the project without the approval of the National Assembly would be unlawful.
The senators also discouraged any extra-budgetary spending through the ‘Ways and Means’ approach, emphasizing their readiness to support initiatives that would benefit the Nigerian populace.
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Senator Jarigbe Jarigbe highlighted the importance of President Tinubu’s CNG revolution in powering vehicles, expressing confidence that it would ameliorate the hardships faced by citizens.
He stressed the necessity for a supplementary budget to ensure the smooth implementation of the CNG project, covering critical aspects such as infrastructure and CNG vehicles, as well as the requisite workshops and training programs.
The Committee on Gas affirmed that the National Assembly, under the leadership of Senate President Senator Godswill Akpabio, stands prepared to endorse President Tinubu’s commendable programs.
They advocated for a 2023 supplementary budget as the most fitting approach, contrasting it with the contentious ‘Ways and Means’ method employed by previous administrations.
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In his Independence Day speech, President Tinubu pledged to alleviate the hardship faced by Nigerians, unveiling his plan to transform public transportation through the deployment of cost-effective and secure CNG buses nationwide.
These buses are anticipated to operate at significantly reduced fuel prices, positively impacting transport fares. Additionally, plans are underway to establish training facilities and workshops across the nation, providing new opportunities for transport operators and entrepreneurs.
President Tinubu’s commitment to innovative solutions like the CNG initiative reflects a forward-looking approach to addressing Nigeria’s pressing challenges and enhancing the overall well-being of its citizens.
