SERAP To NASS: Cut Outrageous N228.1bn Budget Or Face Legal Action

The National Assembly leadership has been urged to cut the lawmakers budget in line with the current economic realities.
In a statement today, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare asked the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila to promptly cut the outrageous National Assembly budget of two hundred and twenty-point one billion Naira, including the thirty point one-seven billion Naira Severance payments and inauguration costs for members which he described as the highest ever.
SERAP’s Deputy Director, Mr. Oluwadare said that they should propose a fresh budget for the National Assembly that would reflect the current economic realities in the country, address the debt crisis, and prevent retrogressive economic measures.
The National Assembly had increased its 2023 budget from one hundred and sixty-nine billion Naira proposed by President Muhammadu Buhari to two hundred and twenty-eight point one billion Naira.
The approved budget shows an increase of about fifty-nine point one billion Naira, adding that the country’s budget of twenty-one point eight, nine trillion Naira is based on a ten point four, nine billion revenue and eleven point three, four trillion Naira deficit.