Reps approve extension of 2025 capital budget

The House of Representatives has approved the extension of the implementation of the capital component of the 2025 budget from June 30th, 2026 to September 30th, 2026.

The approval followed an emergency sitting on Monday.

House Leader, Julius Ihonvbere, led the debate on the general principles of the bill seeking to extend the lifespan of the capital expenditure of the 2025 budget.

Ihonvbere stressed that substantial funds released to Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, MDAs, remained unspent due to administrative bottlenecks, procurement delays and implementation challenges.

According to him, the extended window aims to prevent the abandonment of critical infrastructural projects across the country, allow time for ongoing projects to be finished, and settle outstanding obligations.

The notice of the emergency sitting was issued by the Acting Clerk of the House of Representatives, Ibrahim Sidi, in a memo sent to all members on Sunday.

He said the sitting was pursuant to Order Five, Rule 2 sub-section 2 of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives.