The Senate Majority Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, has stated that starting next year, the Federal Government will actively pursue economic saboteurs who are causing hardship for Nigerians. Bamidele emphasized the urgency of passing the 2024 Appropriations Bill on December 30 to maintain the January-December budget cycle.
Speaking to journalists in Iyin Ekiti, Ekiti State, on Monday, Bamidele expressed serious concerns about economic saboteurs influencing high exchange rates against the naira and restricting access to the currency for those with bank deposits.
He announced the government’s intention to take legal action against those engaging in economic sabotage, charging and prosecuting them for their actions. He affirmed that the government would hold accountable those responsible for manipulating currency markets and speculating to keep commodity prices high.
Bamidele also revealed the Federal Government’s plans to make substantial investments in agriculture and agro-allied industries. He stressed the determination to harness the country’s solid mineral potential in addition to revenue from crude oil sales.
Providing updates on the 2024 Appropriation Bill, he assured that the National Assembly would pass the budget on December 30. To expedite the process, he explained that all relevant ministries, departments, and agencies had been summoned to appear before joint sittings of relevant committees in both the Senate and House of Representatives.
Bamidele noted that the accelerated approach, including weekend sittings, was aimed at saving time and ensuring the timely passage of the budget. He emphasized the commitment to reconvene on December 29, with the goal of passing the bill by December 30 to facilitate its implementation in the coming year.
Addressing the removal of the fuel subsidy, Bamidele supported the government’s decision, stating that it ended a subsidy regime that had benefited certain individuals. He acknowledged a pushback from those impacted by the subsidy removal but emphasized the government’s stance on creating a more sustainable economic model.