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Tag: Deputy Senate President

  • Senate okays $5.5 billion loan for FG

    Senate okays $5.5 billion loan for FG

    The Senate Tuesday approved the request of President Muhammadu Buhari to borrow the sum of $5.5 billion.

    The sum of $2.5 billion out of the $5.5 billion, according to the presidential request, will be used to fund the 2017 budget while the balance of $3 billion is meant to refinance domestic debts.

    Nigeria’s debt profile stood at N19.6 trillion as at June 30th, 2017 according to Debt Management Office (DMO) document.

    Before the unanimous approval of the loan, some Senators called for caution on the way and manner the Federal Government rushes to take foreign loans.

    The lawmakers particularly expressed fear that the ability of the country to repay the loans might be limited if the national currency depreciates further.

    Senator Yusuf Abubakar Yusuf, (Taraba central) who was one of those who voiced this fear said: “We must be very careful because this is dependent on what happens in our foreign reserves. If our foreign exchange rate goes to N500/USD1, we are going to have a very serious problem on generating enough foreign exchange to pay the foreign debts.”

    The approval of the loan followed the adoption of the report of the Committee on Local and Foreign Debts that vetted the request sought partly to finance the deficit in the 2017 budget.

    Chairman of the Committee, Senator Shehu Sani who presented the told the Senate that “the terms and conditions of the loan are favourable and do not pose any compromise to the integrity, independence and interest of Nigeria and its citizens.”

    He added, “The projects are essential for rapid economic and social development of Nigeria. And that the projects, when completed, will create jobs through a chain of economic activities.”

    The committee noted that the $3 billion for refinancing of the country’s domestic debts will not lead to an increase in the public debt portfolio.

    It said that the loan will reduce the cost of the debts while the projects are essential for rapid economic and social development of Nigeria.

    It said that the construction of the second runway in the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport will enhance the safety of air passengers, increase the use of the airport by international airlines, “thus increase the revenue base of the government.”

    It said that the rail projects when completed will reduce the use of roads, its attendant congestion and thus minimise the cost of road maintenance.

    The committee said that the Mambila Hydro Power Project which had long been abandoned when completed will add substantially to the National grid and improve power output of the country.

    The $3 billion refinancing loans, it said, will create a significant decrease in the cost of financing the nation’s debt stock while creating more borrowing space in the domestic market for the private sector to benefit from.

    The Committee recommendation: a.The committee to recommend for approval by the Senate the issuance of USD2.5billion to finance the following projects in 2017 Appropriation Act,

    1. Mambilla Hydropower Project, ii. construction of a second runway at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja, iii. counterpart funding for rail projects iv. construction of the Bode-Bonny Road, with a bridge across the Opobo Channel.
    2. That the Senate for approve the USD3billion for refinancing of the nation’s domestic debt; c. That the Senate to emphasise effective oversight of the proposed projects.

    Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu who presided commended senators for supporting approval of the loan.

    He said, “This Senate will continue to partner with the Federal Government in matters that concern the ordinary people of Nigeria.

    “The implementation of the 2017 budget is key because any Appropriation Act that is not implemented is worthless.

    “So, whatever needs to be done to ensure that the budget is implemented, will always have the support of this Senate.”

    “And since this is tied to the implementation of the 2017 budget, I believe that that had informed the support that this request is now generating.

    “We need to urge the Debt Management Office to ensure that our debt profile is monitored so that we will always ensure that it is within the acceptable limit.

    President Muhammadu Buhari had in his request  for the approval of the two external loans last month said that in order to implement the external borrowing approved by the National Assembly in the 2017 Appropriation Act, the Federal Government issued a $3OO million Diaspora Bond in the International Capital Market (ICM) in June 2017.

    He noted that “the balance of the 2017 external borrowing, in the sum $3.2 billion is planned to be partially sourced from issuance in the ICM of $2.5 billion through Eurobonds or a combination of Eurobonds and Diaspora Bonds, while $700 million is proposed to be raised from multilateral sources.

    “It should be noted that the intention is to issue the Eurobonds first, with the objective of raising all the funds through Eurobonds, and that Diaspora Bonds will only be issued where the full amount cannot be raised through Eurobonds.”

    He listed the projects as the Mambilla Hydropower Project; construction of a second runway at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport; counterpart funding for rail projects and the construction of the Bode-Bonny Road, with a bridge across the Opobo Channel.”

    On the $3 billion for the re-financing of domestic debts, the president said: “In addition to the implementation of the external borrowing approved in the 2017 Appropriation Act, in order to reduce debt service levels and lengthen the tenor profile of the debt stock, the Federal Government seeks to substitute maturing domestic debt with less expensive long-term external debt.”

    President Buhari said that the Federal Government plans to source $3.0 billion through the issuance of Eurobonds as approved by the Federal Executive Council at its meeting of August 9, 2017.Listing what he believed could be the benefits of the loan, Buhari stated that the proposed re-financing of domestic debt through external debt would achieve more stability in the debt stock while also creating more borrowing space in the domestic market for the private sector.

    The President told the Senate that the fact that in the 2017 Appropriation Act, debt service at N1.663 trillion represents 32.73 per cent of the government’s total expenditure, which makes it important to take urgent steps to reduce debt service costs.

  • Senate endorses swearing-in president, vice at NASS

    Senate endorses swearing-in president, vice at NASS

    The Senate Thursday passed a Bill for an Act to provide for the inauguration of the President and the Vice-President at the National Assembly Complex.

    The passage of the Bill followed the adoption of the report of the Senate Committee on Special Duties which scrutinized the legislation.

    The Bill was sponsored by Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu.

    Chairman of the Committee, Senator Abdulaziz Nyako who presented the report noted that the Senate had on Thursday, December 8, 2016, deliberated on the general principles of the Bill.

    “The Bill seeks to provide for the inauguration or swearing in of the President and the Vice-President to be carried out within the confines of the Parliament as it is done in the United States and other democracies of the world.

    “This is in recognition of the fact the legislature is the assemblage of the representatives of the entire country and as such, it will not be out of place for such important national event to take place in the National assembly.”

    Ekweremadu who presided said that inauguration of the President and his vice at the National Assembly Complex is a standard practice in most presidential systems.

    “That is the standard. Because the National Assembly is the symbol of democracy and here is the temple of democracy. It makes every sense that presidents will take oath office within the confines of the highest legislative body in the land under the supervision of the peoples’ representatives.”

  • Ekweremadu to FG: Call off operation Python Dance

    Ekweremadu to FG: Call off operation Python Dance

    Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Thursday condemned in strong terms the military siege to the South East geopolitical zone.

    Ekweremadu noted that dialogue and inclusion were best options in resolving the agitation in the region.

    Ekweremadu, in a statement by his media aide, Uche Anichukwu, however called on the people of the South East to remain calm as he and other leaders of the region were engaging the Federal Government in meaningful discussions to ensure that the South East Operation Python Dance was called off soonest.

    Ekweremadu said: “The military siege to the South East is uncalled for because there is no prevailing situation in the region to warrant it in the first place. Instead, it is the Python Dance that appears to be creating problems and raising tension in the region. The agitation in the South East at the moment is best resolved by way of dialogue and a sense of inclusion.

    “I want to assure our people that I have been engaging the Presidency and security agencies meaningfully on the issue. It is my hope that the Operation Egwu Eke will be called off.

    “Until then, however, I call on the military to respect the rights of the citizens. The various videos and reports of gross human rights abuse making the rounds in the social and traditional media are nevertheless very disgusting and disheartening. They should be thoroughly investigated by the relevant authorities with a view to establishing the truth and ensuring that no human rights violator goes unpunished”

  • Eid-El-Kabir: Saraki, Ekweremadu, Mark seek rededication to nation building

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu and former Senate President, David Mark, have expressed felicitation to Muslim faithful on the occasion of celebration of Eid-El-Kabir.

    While Saraki, called on all Nigerians to rededicate themselves to the dreams and aspirations of building a strong, united, economically sound and politically stable country, Ekweremadu called for sacrifice and unity.

    Senator Mark on his part, sought for peace and justice in the country.

    Saraki in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, felicitated with Muslim faithful on the occasion of this year’s Eid- El-Kabir, while urging all Nigerians irrespective of religion to use the occasion to pray for the greater glory of the country.

    He stated that the Muslim festival which falls on Jummat day (Friday) is unique as it carries a dual promise that all prayers offered during the Eid and Jummat have a double assurance of bringing Allah’s blessing to Muslim faithful and their country.

    “It is significant that the Eid-El-Kabir and Jummat will be celebrated in one day,” Saraki said. “This tells us that all prayers offered during this solemn day will no doubt command double mercies of Allah towards us all.”

    He called on all Muslims to seek Allah’s grace for the peace, unity, security and economic development of the country.

    He equally enjoined Nigerians to pray for the good health of President Muhammadu Buhari and God’s guidance for all persons in positions of authority – from the Presidency to the wards – as well as all those directing affairs in the private sector of the economy.

    “This is a time we must be our brothers’ keeper by sharing our worldly goods with them. This is a time we must pray for our leaders, especially President Muhammadu Buhari and all those saddled with the responsibilities of leadership at all levels in our country.

    “With prayers, I have no doubt that God will inspire and guide our leaders to initiate and sustain policies and programmes that would guarantee peace, security, economic growth, political stability and social cohesion in our nation,” the President of the Senate stated.

    Saraki said he has no doubt that this year would witness the strong rebound of the nation’s economy and that the positive effects will trickle down to individual homes and help citizens to realize their goals and aspirations.

    “Therefore, I call on all our brothers and sisters, fellow Nigerians, to be law abiding and support the present administration in its bid to tackle the problems of insecurity, unemployment, corruption and underperforming economy. I wish all our Muslim brothers and sisters a peaceful, rewarding and blessed Eid-El-Kabir. May Allah accept our supplications”, he stated.

    Ekweremadu enjoined Nigerians to eschew all forms of recrimination and imbibe self-sacrifice, forgiveness and other higher virtues that promote national unity and development.

    Ekweremadu said: “I congratulate our Muslim brethren on this occasion of Eid el-Kabir. This season of conviviality presents another opportunity to reflect on our national challenges and the way forward.

    “No nation realises its full potentials without equity, justice, unity, and peaceful co-existence. I enjoin the Muslim Umah and indeed all of us to imbibe the virtues of sacrifice, forgiveness, and love that the season represents in order to move the nation forward”.

    While also enjoining the Muslim Umah to cease the opportunity of the Sallah to recommit the nation into God’s hand, the Deputy President of the Senate wished the Muslim Umah a merry and hitch-free Eid el-Kabir celebration.

    Mark once again canvassed for justice, righteousness and peaceful coexistence between and among Nigerians.

    Senator Mark in a goodwill message to Nigerians on the celebration of this year’s Sallah said only a harmonious and peaceful coexistence could guarantee meaningful development.

    Apparently concerned about recent out burst from different regions agitating for self-independence within the existing geopolitical entity, Sen. Mark cautioned against any action or utterances capable of threatening the indivisibility of Nigeria.

    He said Nigeria as a nation has over the years weathered the storm of socio-economic and political challenges pointing out that it will be unnecessary and ridiculous to ignite another storm.

    Sen. Mark however admitted that the current political and constitutional arrangement may not be perfect but “with collective will and understanding of all stakeholders, we can gradually address the perceived imbalances without spilling the beans”

    He therefore tasked authorities at all levels to begin forthwith a peace building mechanism between and among various groups so that the present misconceptions in some quarters would not snow ball into a bigger crises.

    He reminded aggrieved persons that there are existing legitimate channels including the judiciary and the national assembly where groups or individuals could leverage on to seek redress of perceived wrong doings instead of resort to self-help.

    For Sen. Mark, Nigeria is a big brother in Africa and a respectable player in the world affairs and cannot be seen to be doing things in the opposite direction.

    The former Senate president craved for a just and egalitarian society where every citizen is free to pursue his or her legitimate ambition in any part of the country without fear of intimidation or molestation.

     

  • Freetown mudslide a monumental regional disaster, says Ekweremadu

    Freetown mudslide a monumental regional disaster, says Ekweremadu

    …Calls for immediate regional action

     

    Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Wednesday described as a monumental regional disaster, the floods and mudslide that killed hundreds of persons in the outskirts of Freetown, the Sierra Leone capital.

    Ekweremadu is the immediate past Speaker of the Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS Parliament,

    In a statement by his Special Adviser, (Media) Ekweremadu called for immediate regional and international action to boost rescue efforts and alleviate the sufferings of the victims.

    He said: “The personal account by the Vice President of Sierra Leone, His Excellency, Victor Foh, confirming the death of at least 300 persons as a result of the tragic mudslide is heartbreaking.

    “It is a natural disaster of monumental proportions, not only for Sierra Leoneans, but also the entire ECOWAS family. My heart goes out to the people and government of Sierra Leone as well as the serving and former members of the Sierra Leonean National Delegation to the Community Parliament.

    “This calls for immediate intervention by the ECOWAS and the international community to boost rescue efforts and provide robust humanitarian support to both the injured and the displaced”.

    While praying for the peaceful repose of the souls of the deceased, the former regional Speaker also prayed God to grant the sub-region, especially the affected families and the people of Sierra Leone the fortitude to bear the irreversible loss.

  • Melaye’s recall: INEC is wasting its time – Senate

    Melaye’s recall: INEC is wasting its time – Senate

    The Senate yesterday dared the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to go ahead with the recall of Senator Dino Melaye (Kogi West), as demanded by his constituents.

    The electoral agency is embarking on an exercise in futility, the lawmakers said.

    The Senate said the various stages passed so far in the process were not in line with laid down constitutional procedures and guidelines, adding that it amounted to a waste of time by all the parties involved.

    This resolution followed a point of order raised against the move by Melaye.

    Melaye drew the attention of the Senate to what he described as “supersonic move” by INEC to conclude work on the recall petitions written against him by some of his constituents, who he alleged were sponsored by Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.

    Melaye said: “The score of both valid and invalid votes in the election that brought me into the Senate in 2015 was 118,000 but my governor and his appointees in four days claimed they got signatures of over 188,000.

    They got INEC data base of registered voters and copied in one writing into a recall register and forged all the signatures. As I speak to you, over 120 dead certificates issued by the National Population Commission and these people’s relations and families have sworn to affidavits and these certificates have been deposited.

    “The names of all these dead people appeared on the recall register submitted to INEC.

    “116 of my constituents have sworn to affidavits that their names and signatures appeared in the recall registers and that they did not sign.

    “86 of my constituents have sworn to an affidavit that they were approached and that the government wants to carry out a fertiliser empowerment programme and requested for their PVCs and thereby deceived them into putting their names in the recall register.”

    Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu cited Sections 68, 69 and other relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution to fault the move. He wondered why INEC is not following the laid down procedure in carrying out the exercise.

    Ekweremadu said: “I am wondering why we are dissipating energy on this matter and wasting precious legislative time on a matter we should not.

    “What is happening in Kogi in respect of Senator Dino Melaye, as far as this constitution is concerned, is an exercise in futility. They are just wasting precious time because the constitution is clear on what should happen.

    Saraki, Ekweremadu

    “It is possible that the Attorney- General of Kogi State has not advised them properly. If he had done that, I am sure they would have applied their time to more meaningful ventures in Kogi State.”

    Ekweremadu added that the National Assembly, in 2010, amended the constitution in respect of Section 69, which deals wit the recall of a lawmaker.

    According to him, the Section clearly states that those who are seeking to recall Melaye are supposed to line up somewhere in Kogi State with him and his lawyers, with each person verifying his signature.

    When they are done with that, they go back to Section 68, which states that the President of the Senate receives from the chairman of INEC the recall of the member. They would also present evidence satisfactory to the House or the Senate.

    “So they need to come back here and convince each and every one of us that they have done the correct thing. Unless they do that, they cannot even give effect to it. So why are we wasting our time? Let us move on and allow them to waste their time,” Ekweremadu said.

    Senate President Bukola Saraki said: “As they say, 10 years is no joke in leadership, the Deputy Senate President has explained the processes. So, let the process speak for itself.

    ”I really don’t know why a lot of efforts are being wasted that should have gone into more important things. Eventually, it must come back here for us to decide whether it is satisfactory or not.”

     

  • Sen. Ekweremadu advises IPOB, MASSOB on sit-at-home order

    Sen. Ekweremadu advises IPOB, MASSOB on sit-at-home order

    Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, has advised that the sit-at-home order declared by some right groups in South-East for May 30 should be optional.

    The Indigenous Peoples of Biafra and the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra had called on citizens of South-East to stay at home on May 30 to observe their anniversary.

    Ekweremmadu gave the advice on Sunday at an Inter-denominational church service at the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Abakaliki, to commemorate 2017 Democracy Day and Gov. David Umahi’s second year in office.

    He noted that while the agitation and concerns of the groups are genuine, they should not be pursued with force or other forms of armed struggle.

    “Individuals who operate private businesses and want to stay-at-home on that day should stay, while those who want to operate their businesses should be allowed to do so.

    “I believe that civil and public workers should be ready to go to work on that day as I appeal that no group should force people to stay at home against their wishes,” he added.

    The deputy senate president called on the agitators to embrace dialogue and constructive engagement in pursuing their agitation; not coercion or other forms of armed struggle.

    “The struggles and concerns are genuine but with the collaboration of all and constructive engagement, we will surely get to our destination no matter how long it takes.

    “Black Americans agitated for a long time before Barack Obama became president in 2008, likewise in India, it took constructive engagement for the people to actualise their agitation.

    “South Africa despite racial disturbances and black oppression, employed constructive engagement and intervention of the western world and African interests such as Nigeria’s, to dismantle apartheid,” he said.

    Ekweremadu congratulated the people of Ebonyi on the second year in office of their governor.

    He noted that the state had matured politically and socially, adding that any indigene could aspire for any political office in the state.

    In his remark, Umahi noted that no individual or group would force the citizens of the state to stay-at-home on May 30.

    “I have met the leadership of these groups on various occasions and discovered that most of their agitations are correct but the ways they seek to actualise them can be faulted.

    “I have also met the leadership of market unions in the state and we resolved that markets would be open on that day and no trader or any other individual will be molested,” he said.

    The governor said that the case of Ebonyi was different as the state had suffered untold marginalisation right from its days in old Anambra, Imo, Enugu and Abia states.

    “The deputy senate president is fighting marginalisation of the Igbos at the federal level; when this is addressed, we will start our own agitation of marginalisation as a state.

    “Ebonyi does not believe in regional government because we will continue suffering deprivation but believe in the restructuring of the country to address all imbalances,” he said.

    In his homily, Rev. Fr Abraham Nwali urged political and economic leaders in the state to build industries instead of embarking on ‘non-direct-impact’ projects such as hotels.

    “The governor should be supported in his desire to ensure that sachet water companies are constructed in the three senatorial zones of the state,’’ he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that prayers were said by officiating ministers of the Presbyterian Church for the unity of the country and peace in Ebonyi.

  • PDP Senators condemn police raid on Ekweremadu’s guest house

    PDP Senators condemn police raid on Ekweremadu’s guest house

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senate Caucus Friday evening condemned in strong terms the police raid on Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu’s guest house in Abuja.

    The police on Friday raided the National Assembly guest house in Abuja assigned to the use of the Deputy Senate President Senator Ekweremadu.

    The police was said to have claiming that a whistle blower tipped them off that Ekweremadu hid arms and money in the property.

    The Caucus in a statement in Abuja by its spokesman, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe described the Police action as unwarranted, unacceptable and a deliberate attempt to muzzle the opposition.

    Abaribe also faulted police explanations that they acted on whistle blower tip off.

    He noted  that the “failed gestapo-like operation was nothing but a smokescreen to cover up a carefully orchestrated plot to intimidate Senator Ekweremadu and by so doing cow the opposition from pointing out the failings of the government of the day.”

    According to the caucus, “the raid said to have been ordered by the Inspector General of police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, on a property owned by the National Assembly was a willful affront on democracy.”

    “We had raised alarm on this plot not too long ago and now they have carried out the assignment only to reach a dead end, to the embarrassment of the police and other anti-democratic forces bent on casting a wicked shadow on our fledgling democracy.

    “We of the Senate PDP Caucus will never be intimidated or cowed in discharging our constitutional mandate of providing a responsible opposition.

    “Is it not an irony that the raid in the National Assembly guest house is coming on the eve of the democracy day anniversary?

    “A raid on a property of another arm of government is a dangerous continuation of attack on the institutions that affects the needed checks on the excesses of the executive.

    “It cast an ominous sign and this must stop,” Abaribe said.

     

     

  • Ekweremadu seeks removal of age limit for political offices

    Ekweremadu seeks removal of age limit for political offices

    Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Thursday canvassed the total removal of age as a criterion for holding political offices in the country.

    He instead called for a situation where the electorate are allowed to make their choices based on their assessment of the competence of those who present themselves for elections.

    A statement by the Special Adviser, (Media) to the Deputy Senate President, Uche Anichukwu, said that Ekweremadu made the call when he received in audience the “Not Too Young to Run (#NotTooYoungToRun) Campaign championed by the Youth Initiative for Advocacy, Growth and Advancement (YIAGA) in his office at the National Assembly, Abuja.

    Ekweremadu said, “We have just acknowledged the young man, Emmanuel Macron, who is now the President of France. We believe it can also happen here in our country; and we believe that with education and exposure, people can achieve a lot at a very young age.

    “Therefore, while many Nigerians are calling for a reduction in the age barrier, it is actually my strong and personal opinion that there should be no age barrier in terms of running for political offices or holding executive positions. I know, and I believe too, that sovereignty belongs to the people, and they exercise this sovereignty through the ballot box. If they desire to vote in a very young person, so be it. That is their choice, and that is what sovereignty is all about.

    “For many years now, we have said that the youth are the leaders of tomorrow. If we continue to sideline them with age barrier, then that tomorrow may never come. But as far as I am concerned, that tomorrow has come and people should be judged by their competence, integrity, and capacity, not their biological age. That is the global trend and we cannot be an exception.”

    Ekweremadu, who also chairs the Senate Committee on Constitution Review said that the nation’s greatest resource remained the youth.

    He commended YIAGA, noting that the nation’s democracy was nevertheless making progress as more youth are now participating actively in the political process.

    He said that although the Senate Committee on Constitution Review had submitted its final report to the Senate, constitution amendment was a continuous process and issues not covered could always be accommodated in subsequent amendments even in the same Assembly.

    Leader of the delegation and Programme Director of YIAGA, Miss Cynthia Mbamalu, solicited the Senate’s support for the constitution amendment bill sponsored by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Special Duties, Senator Abdul Aziz Nyako, seeking to align the voting age of 18 years with eligibility to contest for political offices in Nigeria.

    Citing the recent election of 39-year old Emmanuel Macron as the President of France, she called for more political space for the Nigerian youth.

     

  • Senate stops 38 agencies from expenditure of capital votes

    Senate stops 38 agencies from expenditure of capital votes

    …Gives Buhari two week ultimatum to submit budget

     

    The Senate Tuesday barred 38 corporations, agencies and parastatals from further expenditure of their capital budget 2017.

    The upper chamber also gave President Muhammadu Buhari two week ultimatum to submit the 2017 budget of corporations, agencies and parastatals of the Federal Government for consideration and approval of the National Assembly.

    It said that the submission of the budget proposals should be done within two weeks in compliance with the Fiscal Responsibility Act and the Constitution.

    It resolved that affected corporations, agencies and parastatals should stop forthwith further expenditure from their capital vote pending the submission of their 2017 budget to the National Assembly in line with Section 21 of the Fiscal Responsibility Act.

    The lawmakers further resolved that to urgently amend the Fiscal Responsibility Act to penalize infractions of non-submission of budget for appropriation.

    Only on Tuesday, the Senate said that 38 agencies are in breach of the Fiscal Responsibility Act for failure to submit their 2017 budget for approval by the National Assembly.

    The resolutions followed the unanimous adoption of a motion entitled: “Non-submission of 2017 budget by public corporations in violation of the Fiscal Responsibility Act” sponsored by Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah (Kebbi South).

    Na’Allah in his lead debate said that the Senate should be worried about the non-submission of the 2017 budget proposal by statutory corporations to the National Assembly.

    He noted that Section 21(1)(2) and (3) of the FRA stipulates that “The government Corporations and agencies and government owned companies listed in the Schedule to this Act (in this Act referred to as the Corporation) shall, not latter that six months from the commencement of this Act and for every three financial years thereafter and not later than the end of the second quarter of every year, cause to be prepared and submitted to the Minister their Schedule estimates of revenue and expenditure for the next three financial year.

    The Act also said that “Each of the bodies referred to in Section (1) of this Section shall submit to the Minister not later the end of August in each financial year: a, An annual budget derived from the estimates submitted in pursuance of subsection (1) of this section; and b, projected operating surplus which shall be prepared in line with acceptable accounting practices”…….

    Na’ Allah observed that non-compliance to the provisions of the FRA constitutes abuse of power and economic sabotage aimed at frustrating the current economic measures being taken by the present administration to address the economic recession.

    He noted that the absence of penalties in the provisions of FRA have emboldened and encouraged the perpetration of the Act.

    Na’Allah said that Senate should be concerned that the FRA is failing in its responsibility through complacence in the execution of its mandate.

    Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu who seconded the motion noted that the Constitution is supreme while its provisions shall be a binding force on all authorities and persons throughout the country.

    Ekweremadu said, “This constitution is supreme and its provisions shall have a binding force on all authorities and persons throughout the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It goes further in section 80(2) to say that “No money shall be withdrawn from the consolidated revenue fund of the federation except in the manner prescribed by the National Assembly.”

    “We are here talking about responsibility of governance. There cannot be any hard responsibility than Fiscal Responsibility because that is the beginning of all evils, we must begin to ensure that we live by the laws we make for ourselves. If we say that ministers are supposed to send the estimates of various agencies under them with the appropriation act of each year that has to be done.

    “I recall Mr. President in 2016, President Muhammadu Buhari sends to this National Assembly the appropriation bill for that year together with those estimates. While in 2017, the ministers find it impossible to accompany the same appropriation act 2017 with those estimates of the agencies under them.

    “We cannot be going forth and back. I believe that this is time for us to insist under section 88 that gives us power of oversight that this has to be done. We make laws here for the good governance of this country and that is actually what we have to insist. I believe that time has come when we are going to insist that all agencies should stop the expenditure of public funds unless it is appropriated in accordance with section 80 of the constitution which we have sworn to uphold.

    “It is our responsibility today to ensure that ultimatum is given to agencies under this government to bring this estimates for us to duly appropriate that is why the constitution provided for a full time legislature because there are enormous work to be done.”

    Senator George Thompson Sekibo (River East) asked “if a man who is to give the law fails the law but happens to him because if a man puts a law and another man fails.”

    He described the non-submission of the budget estimates of the agencies as a gross misconduct that should not be glozed over “because they are spending public funds.

    Senator Solomon Adeola said that the non-submission of the estimates is deliberate.

    He suggested that committees should meet with affected agencies.

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, thank Na’Allah “for this important motion.”

    Saraki said that the motion is at the heart of the fight against corruption in the country.

    He said,”Truly this motion is at the heart of this fight against corruption and it is very important as we have seen that independent revenue, the amount of money from independent revenue even exceeds how much we get on oil revenue.

    “So, it is a huge amount to our revenue line even when we are talking about looking for money to fund projects, hospitals, education. This is where the source of the revenue are and I cannot see how we can continue in a society where we are fighting corruption where people will be spending money without approval, without appropriations, it must stop, it will stop and it is going to stop from now.

    “Clearly we have made our position that based on this amendment this agencies they must get their budget to us in two weeks and committee chairmen I want to appeal that once we get the budget on our own part as well let’s ensure that we do it publicly, very diligently and try and turn it around as quickly as possible.”

    Saraki also said that agencies that did not pass through the right channel to submit their budget to the National Assembly should do the right thing.

    Affected agencies included Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC,) Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASEI), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).

    Others are the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), National Maritime Authority (NMA), Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), National Sugar Development Council (NSDC), Nigerian Postal Service (NPS), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

    The list also includes the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), National Communications Commission (NCC), National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) and National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).

    Others are National Insurance Commission (NIC), News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Nigerian Copyrights Commission (NCC), Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Radio Nigeria, Federal Housing Authority (FHA), Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA), National Business and Technical Examination Board (NABTEB), Federal Mortgage Bank, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), as well as Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority (OGZFA).