Impose travel ban on ministers, heads of MDAs , Akpabio tells Tinubu

 The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has asked President Bola Tinubu to prohibit federal ministers and heads of ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) from leaving the nation during the budget defense period.

Mr Akpabio made the proposal in his address to a joint session of the National Assembly on Wednesday during the introduction of the 2024 appropriation bill.

The Senate President particularly urged that President Tinubu order all ministers and heads of federal government agencies to refrain from traveling that would prevent them from appearing before federal parliamentarians to defend their budget estimates.

He stated that the National Assembly’s two houses will thoroughly scrutinize the 2024 budget before it is passed.

In conclusion, we assure you that the proposals you have come to present will be diligently considered accordingly. We approach this moment with a sense of duty, unity, and purpose.

“To ensure maximum attention to the review of the Year 2023 Budget performance and the consideration of the Year 2024 Budget Proposal, we request that Mr President would mandate Honourable Ministers and Heads of Agencies to avoid any travelling engagements that would prevent them from honouring our invitation to promptly appear before our committees to defend their budget estimates.

“As we embark on the journey of reviewing the 2024 budget, let us remember that our actions today will shape the future of our nation. Together, let us work towards a budget that reflects the aspirations and dreams of every Nigerian citizen for a greater country,” Mr Akpabio said

The budget defence is expected to commence next week and be concluded before the end of December

High debt profile

Mr Akpabio appealed to the federal government to find a lasting solution to reducing the high debt profile of the country.

“We also want to plead with the government to do all within its powers to reduce our high debt profile. We know that Mr President inherited this worrisome burden. But then the mark of a great leader is that he fixes the problems wherever they exist,” he said.