By NEFISHETU YAKUBU

The Senate on Tuesday passed a bill extending the implementation of the capital component of the 2025 Appropriation Act from September 30 to December 31.

The ​‌‌‍‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠⁠​​‌​‌‌‌​bill, according to the upper chamber, seeks to provide additional time for ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to complete all ongoing capital projects.

The bill, sponsored by the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central), was read for the first time and subsequently considered for second reading after the suspension of the relevant Senate Rule.

Leading debate on the bill, Bamidele said the extension would provide the legal and administrative window required to fully implement projects for which funds had been appropriated and released.

He said that capital budget implementation involved procurement, contract execution, mobilisation, certification of works and payment processes, among other procedures.

The senate leader said several infrastructure and development projects across the country were at various stages of completion and required additional time for implementation.

According to him, allowing the existing implementation deadline to lapse can create difficulties for MDAs in completing projects for which resources had already been appropriated and released.

Bamidele added that the extension would help prevent projects from becoming abandoned and ensure that appropriated resources were deployed for their approved purposes.

The senate leader stressed that the extension would not amount to a relaxation of accountability, fiscal responsibility or legislative oversight.

He said that MDAs would remain required to comply with the appropriation act, financial regulations, procurement laws and other applicable statutes.

Contributing, the Deputy Senate President, Sen. Barau Jibrin, said the extension was important to prevent the proliferation of abandoned projects across the country.

Jibrin urged the senators to support the bill, saying it would provide an opportunity for ongoing projects funded under the 2025 appropriation to be completed.

The Minority Leader, Abba Moro (Benue South) also supported the extension but urged senators to avoid unnecessary comparisons with previous administrations during debates on budget implementation.

Moro said the focus should remain on creating the necessary conditions for the government to implement its programmes and projects.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the bill was subsequently committed to the Committee of Supply, which considered and approved amendments to the relevant provisions.

The senate, thereafter, passed the bill at third reading, extending the implementation of the capital component of the 2025 appropriation act to December 31.

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, thanked senators for their contributions, saying the extension would facilitate payment for contracts and completion of projects covered by the 2025 capital appropriation.

He urged relevant authorities to utilise the extended period to complete necessary contractual obligations and infrastructure projects for the benefit of Nigerians. (NAN)