The Nigerian Senate on Tuesday issued a stern warning to President Bola Tinubu, cautioning against unauthorized spending and urging the initiation of a supplementary budget for the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) initiative. The Senate’s message was delivered through its Committee on Gas, under the leadership of Senator Jarigbe Jarigbe.
The Senate committee emphasized the urgent need for the executive branch of the government to swiftly present a 2023 Supplementary Budget to the National Assembly. This additional budget allocation is intended to kickstart the ambitious Compressed Natural Gas project, aimed at revolutionizing the energy landscape of the nation.
This request from the Senate comes just within 48 hours of President Bola Tinubu’s announcement of measures designed to alleviate the impact of fuel subsidy removal on the Nigerian population.
The lawmakers strongly underscored that extra-budgetary spending goes against the established legal framework. While acknowledging President Tinubu’s commitment to the CNG initiative, the committee’s chairman issued a clear warning that any expenditure of taxpayers’ money or funds related to the project must receive prior approval from the National Assembly, aligning with legal requirements for transparency and accountability, as well as adherence to the rule of law.
In addition to their stance against extra-budgetary expenditure, the senators advised against utilizing ‘Ways and Means’ for financial appropriations, reaffirming their readiness to support initiatives that will bring relief and progress to the Nigerian people.
Senator Jarigbe Jarigbe commended President Tinubu for his vision in implementing the CNG revolution, particularly in the context of powering vehicles, acknowledging the potential benefits it could bring to the nation’s energy sector and economy.
He said, “The noble initiative would ameliorate the hardship of the citizens. Also, the President needs to come up with a supplementary budget to enable the government to fund the gas value chain, including the provision for CNG infrastructure and CNG vehicles.”
He further mentioned that financing the workshops and training required for the adoption of CNG would be necessary.
“The President should not embark on extra-budgetary expenditure because it would be inconsistent with the provisions of the law.”
Jarigbe affirmed that the National Assembly, led by Senate President Senator Godswill Akpabio, stood ready to back President Tinubu’s ambitious initiatives wholeheartedly. He emphasized that the most suitable avenue for this support would be the formulation of a supplementary budget for 2023. This approach differs from the ‘Ways and Means’ strategy employed by the previous administration, which had long been a contentious issue within the Central Bank of Nigeria.
In his Independence Day address, the President elaborated on his commitment to mitigating the challenges faced by Nigerians, assuring that measures would be taken to alleviate their hardships.
Tinubu had said,
“A Nigeria where hunger, poverty and hardship are pushed into the shadows of an ever fading past.
“We have opened a new chapter in public transportation through the deployment of cheaper, safer CNG buses across the nation. These buses will operate at a fraction of current fuel prices, positively affecting transport fares.
“New CNG conversion kits will start coming in very soon as all hands are on deck to fast track the usually lengthy procurement process.”
He mentioned that his government was in the process of establishing training centers and workshops nationwide, aimed at equipping and creating fresh prospects for individuals involved in the transportation sector and aspiring entrepreneurs.
