By Akubulu Ngozi
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon.Abbas Tajudeen has revealed plans by the Federal Government, FG, to involve Nigerians in planning the 2024 budget
Abbas made this known during his open speech at the one-day capacity-building retreat for Chairmen and Deputy Chairmen of the House committees in Abuja on Monday.
According to the Speaker, the Programme that was held at the Budget Town Hall Meeting was to allow Nigerians to air out their opinions on the 2024 Appropriation.
Abbas also noted that the Programme was in line with the plan of the 10th House of Assembly to convene a town hall meeting with stakeholders on the 2024 Appropriation Bill that is about to be laid before a joint session of the National Assembly by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Speaking on the reasons for involving Nigerians in the budget, Abbas stated that, it would enable the House to be transparent to the public, including reducing suspicions to enable it build trust and generate public support for the disposal of the duties and image of the National Assembly.
Sequel to this, Abbas gave the committee members two weeks ultimatum to finalise all considerations for the budget.
However, present at the events includes: the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu; Chief of Staff to the President and former Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila;
Others include Former President of the Senate and ex-Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, including some members of the House and representatives of Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS) and YIAGA Africa.