Senate cautions Tinubu against extra-budgetary expenditure

The Nigerian Senate has warned the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government against illegal spending.

Senate Committee on Gas led by Senator Jarigbe Jarigbe urged the executive arm of government to expeditiously present a 2023 Supplementary Budget to the National Assembly to kick-start the Compressed Natural Gas project.

The federal lawmakers advised the President to seek a supplementary budget for its Compressed Natural Gas initiative. The insisted that the law was against extra-budgetary spending.

Jarigbe who commended Tinubu for the CNG initiative, however, warned that it would be illegal to spend taxpayers’ money without approval by the National Assembly.

The senators also advised against extra-budgetary expenditure through Ways and Means, saying the legislature was ready to support and bring succour to the people.

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.

“The President should not embark on extra-budgetary expenditure because it would be inconsistent with the provisions of the law.”