The national assembly has passed the bills seeking the extension of the capital component of the 2023 budget and the Supplementary Appropriation Act.

The federal lawmakers granted an extension from June to December, following a request by President Bola Tinubu.

The senate and house of representatives passed the bills on Thursday after considering their clauses at the committee on supply.

The passage was preceded by a rowdy session at the house of representatives.

The president, in a letter read by Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the house, asked the green chamber to extend the implementation of the capital components of the 2023 budget and Supplementary Appropriation Act from June 30 to December 31.

After Abbas read the letter, some lawmakers opposed the call for the debate of the president’s request.

Julius Ihonvbere, majority leader of the house, moved for the debate of the bill, saying the amendment does not alter the content of the bill but just the date.

Kingsley Chinda, minority leader of the house, expressed concern that the two budgets are running concurrently.

He said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration was criticised for lacking a clear budgetary cycle, adding that the current administration is potentially repeating the mistake.

The ranking legislator demanded that the bill be stepped down to enable the government to “go back to the drawing board”.

Sada Soli, an All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker from Katsina, opposed Chinda, saying the PDP lawmaker was “playing to the gallery”.

“I admire the PDP for playing to the gallery. You cannot extend the supplementary budget without the main budget,” he said.

His comment prompted vocal protests from the lawmakers.

Reacting, Ado Doguwa, a ranking APC member from Katsina, said: “I agree with the submission made by the minority of the house.

“Even though it is legal, it is unprecedented. That moral question will always be raised.”

He, however, appealed to his colleagues to support the bill, saying the president would understand the body language of the lawmakers.

Following the bickering, the lawmakers moved into an executive session.

The Group Managing Director of Abuja Investments Company Limited, Her Excellency Ambassador Maureen Tamuno last Monday 24th June, 2024 conducted a courtesy visit to Centenary City Free zone, located at the Airport road Abuja.

The purpose of the visit was to explore potential partnership opportunities, reflecting renewed commitment to accelerating the development and investment prospects of Centenary City and ultimately, Abuja.

Following the recent resolution of several significant challenges that had previously impeded progress on the project, Ambassador Tamuno and a delegation of AICL management were received by Dr. Ike Odenigwe, the Managing Director of Centenary City.

During the visit, key areas of discussion included:

Current Development Status: Assessing the latest developments and the current state of construction and infrastructure within Centenary City.

Investment Potential: Identifying strategic investment opportunities that can enhance economic growth and urban development.

Sustainability Efforts: Evaluating the initiatives in place to ensure the project’s environmental sustainability and adherence to international standards.

Technological Advancements: Exploring the incorporation of smart technologies designed to create a modern, efficient, and sustainable urban environment.

“Being on the ground provides a different perspective, allowing us to see things firsthand. Our primary duty is to facilitate and create favorable conditions,” said the GMD of AICL.

She emphasized the importance of a detailed work plan and understanding project phases for active progress.

Additionally, she reaffirmed AICL’s commitment to stimulating Abuja’s economy through the partnership with Centenary City on behalf of their parent organization, the FCTA.

Dr. Ike, the MD of Centenary City, who expressed appreciation and AICL’s proactive approach said “Today marks a significant moment for Centenary City as we receive the first-ever visit from a Group Managing Director of AICL.

This visit is a testament to the commitment of the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, His Excellency Nyesom Wike, and it fulfills President Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda.

The visit concluded on a positive note, with both AICL and Centenary City’s management expressing optimism about the future collaboration.

The resolution of previous challenges has paved the way for more productive discussions on partnership opportunities.

As the controversy on the proposed traditional institution law rages in Sokoto State, the state’s High Court has issued an order restraining Governor Ahmed Aliyu from sacking two of the 15 District Heads his government earlier removed from their seats.

The order was sought separately by Buhari Tambuwal and Abubakar Kassim, the District Heads of Tambuwal and Kebbe respectively, who are among the rulers removed by the Sokoto State Government, on the allegation of insurbodination and aiding insecurity in the state.

The presiding judge, Justice Kabiru Ahmed, ordered the governor, his Attorney General and the Sokoto Sultanate Council to revert to status quo, pending the determination of the suit filed before him by the complainants, who were represented by Ibrahim Abdullahi (SAN).

Justice Ahmed, through two orders, directed the defendants, their agents servants, privies or assigns or any person acting on their behalves to “maintain status quo and or stay all actions and or further actions in connection with all matters dealing with and or appertaining to the removal and or dethronement of
Districts Heads in Sokoto State”.

The judge said all actions be stayed particularly those of Kebbe and Tambuwal, pending the hearing and determination of the motion for interlocutory injunction duly filed before the court.

A religious organisation, the Muslims Rights Concern (MURIC), had alleged a plot by the state government to dethrone the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III.

Subsequently, Vice President Kashim Shettima on Monday said the throne of the Sultan is an institution that must be jealously guarded and protected.

Also, the Sokoto State Government said contrary to speculations by some persons and groups, the current administration has no plan to depose the Sultan.