Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, the Leader of the Senate, has disclosed that the Federal Government will take decisive action against economic saboteurs who have contributed to the hardships faced by Nigerians starting next year. Bamidele, who also serves as the Chairman of the Southern Senators Forum in the ninth National Assembly, emphasized that the National Assembly is committed to passing the 2024 appropriations bill on December 30, maintaining the January-December budget cycle.
In a press statement from the Office of the Senate Leader, Bamidele, speaking at a session with journalists in Iyin Ekiti on Monday, expressed concerns about the activities of economic saboteurs manipulating exchange rates and limiting access to the Naira. He revealed that the federal government plans to prosecute these saboteurs for their acts and ensure they face consequences in the coming year.
Bamidele assured Nigerians of a renewed era of hope, highlighting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s plans to transform the national economy. The government intends to heavily invest in agriculture, agro-allied industries, and harness solid minerals potential, in addition to sustaining the daily production of 1.7 million barrels of crude oil.
Regarding the 2024 appropriation bill, Bamidele assured that the National Assembly would expedite the passage of the budget on December 30. The legislative process involved abridged timelines, with all relevant ministries, departments, and agencies appearing before joint sittings of Senate and House of Representatives committees to facilitate a timely approval.