The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation, ABUBAKAR BICHI, has disabused the minds of Nigerians over the controversy surrounding the notion of padding the budget. 

Speaking during the citizens' town hall on the 2024 Appropriation Bill, he contended that the National Assembly is empowered to tinker with the budget estimate to meet the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians.

The lawmaker who promised openness and transparency during deliberations and budget defence sessions by ministries, departments and agencies of government called for inputs from civil societies organisations, youths and women groups on budget-making processes.

He disclosed that the budget office would upload the budgetary estimates on a dedicated website to give Nigerians ample opportunity to scrutinize it as part of the open parliament agenda of the 10th House of Representatives.

Assuring that the House of Representatives would live up to the expectations of Nigerians, he said that there would be a series of town hall meetings to ensure an effective and participatory budget process that guarantees efficient service delivery by the MDAs.