Senator Jarigbe Jarigbe, who leads the Senate Committee on Gas, has urged President Bola Tinubu to promptly submit a 2023 Supplementary Budget to the National Assembly for the initiation of his Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) project.
This request comes just two days after Tinubu unveiled measures to alleviate the impact of fuel subsidy removal on the Nigerian populace.
The lawmakers emphasized the importance of adhering to legal processes and raised concerns about extra-budgetary spending.
While the committee chairman commended Tinubu for the CNG initiative, he cautioned against using taxpayers’ money or funds without the National Assembly’s approval for projects within the gas value chain, which is a cost-effective alternative to fossil fuels.
The senators also advised against extra-budgetary expenditure through Ways and Means,’ saying the legislature was ready to support and bring succor to the people.
Jarigbe commended Tinubu on his CNG revolution to power vehicles.
He said, “The noble initiative will 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, and the workshops and training would need to be funded.
“The President should not embark on extra-budgetary expenditure because it will be inconsistent with the provisions of the law.”
Jarigbe stated that the National Assembly, under the leadership of the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, was poised to support the lofty programs of his administration, adding that a 2023 supplementary budget would be most appropriate, instead of the ‘Ways and Means’ approach of the previous administration, which is currently a major issue of contention in the Central Bank of Nigeria.
In his Independence speech, the President explained that he would ensure that the hardship of Nigerians was alleviated.
He said he was working towards, “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 said his administration was also setting up training facilities and workshops across the nation to train and provide new opportunities for transport operators and entrepreneurs.
