Senator Solomon Adeola Olamilekan, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation, has assured that the passage of the N27.5 trillion 2024 budget presented by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will not be rushed using a fire brigade approach.

Speaking to journalists after a committee meeting, Senator Olamilekan dismissed claims that President Tinubu presented an empty box to the lawmakers, emphasizing that such allegations were made by ignorant individuals.

Regarding the budget’s handling, Senator Olamilekan stated that there was no fire brigade approach and that both the executive and legislative branches were aware of the January to December budget implementation cycle. He expressed the commitment to ensure a smooth and timely passage of the budget.

The committee meeting aimed to establish a template for the seamless committee hearing of the budget, with the presence of relevant committee chairmen. Senator Olamilekan explained that agencies would need to appear to defend their budgets, and the Appropriations Committee would collate their findings at the committee level.

He further mentioned that joint sittings of the House of Representatives and the Senate would be conducted, with some committees operating from each chamber. Senator Olamilekan expressed confidence in meeting the December 31st to January deadline to enable the President’s assent to the budget.

The 2024 annual budget has already passed through the second reading and has been referred to the Senate Committee on Appropriation, as previously reported by Vistanaij Media.