BREAKING: Senate extends 2021 budget implementation to May 31

The Senate on Tuesday extended the implementation of the 2021 Appropriation Act from 31st March to 31st May 2022.

The extension was approved following the consideration of a bill to amend the 2021 Appropriation Act sponsored by Senate Leader, Senator Yayah Abdullahi (Kebbi North).

The Senate, before considering the bill, suspended Rule 78(1) of the Senate Standing Orders 2022 (as amended), to enable the Upper Chamber to expeditiously introduce and pass the bill.

The bill was given accelerated first, second and third reading and subsequently passed after the suspension of Rule 78(1) of the Senate Standing Orders.

Senator Abdullahi, in his lead debate, recalled that prior Appropriation Acts in the past were passed mid-year with their implementation usually extended to the following year.

The Kebbi North Senator noted that in previous Appropriation Acts, these extensions were usually covered by a Clause, in line with the provisions of Section 318 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that the Act runs for a period of 12 months, starting from the date it comes into effect.