Amid public outcry over the allocation of N5.095 billion for the purchase of a presidential yacht in the 2023 supplementary budget, the House of Representatives announced on Thursday that they had removed the budgetary allocation.
Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, Abubakar Bichi, disclosed this during an interview with journalists. He also revealed that the budgetary allocation for student loans had been increased from five billion to N10 billion.
In addition to these changes, the committee increased the budgetary allocation for the Ministry of Defence from N476 billion to N546 billion.
The House also considered and approved a minimum wage increase for workers, which will be transmitted to the executive branch.
Bichi emphasized their commitment to proper legislative oversight to ensure the 100 percent implementation of the minimum wage.
The supplementary budget initially included a N5 billion allocation for the purchase of a presidential yacht in the capital expenditure of the Nigerian Navy’s budget. However, this allocation has been removed following the public’s objections.
Bichi also provided a breakdown of other budgetary allocations, including increased funding for various ministries and departments, to address important national priorities.