According to him, various House committees meticulously examined the budget proposals of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) before the final approval process.
By Deborah Hassan
365Daily – The Deputy Spokesman of the House of Representatives, Phillip Agbese, has assured Nigerians that lawmakers have conducted a rigorous review of the 2025 budget estimates presented by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Speaking on Tuesday, Agbese described the National Assembly’s scrutiny of the N49.7 trillion budget as a “surgical operation,” emphasizing that the review process was thorough and aimed at ensuring Nigerians get value for their money.
According to him, various House committees meticulously examined the budget proposals of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) before the final approval process.
“You are aware that we commenced the defense of the 2025 budget estimates earlier this month, and so far, we have done a good job. We asked the relevant questions and, where necessary, demanded explanations,” he said.
Agbese noted that while some MDAs made strong presentations, others fell short. However, he assured that the House remained committed to eliminating wasteful spending.
“As a parliament, we are mindful of the economic challenges and will not approve frivolous budgetary demands. We made it clear to Ministers and Heads of Agencies that they must explore innovative ways to generate revenue to keep the government running efficiently,” he added.
He reiterated that under the leadership of Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, the 10th Assembly is determined to uphold transparency and accountability in handling national matters.
“The budget is about Nigerians, and anything that does not serve their best interests will not be entertained,” Agbese stated.
He urged Nigerians to continue supporting the Tinubu-led administration in its efforts to revamp the economy and promote good governance.