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  • Purchase of cars by Senate is an act of Impunity – TMG

    Purchase of cars by Senate is an act of Impunity – TMG

    The Transition Monitoring Group, TMG Wednesday described the recent purchase of cars by the National Assembly as an act of impunity.

    The group in a statement issued by its Chairman, Ibrahim Zikirrulahi said it is appalled at yet another demonstration of insensitivity by the Senate.

    “Even after the Nigerian people warned that the decision to embark on such hedonistic acquisition in these lean times, would not be tolerated, the Senate has again dared the resolve of the people.

    “The gluttonous manner in which less than 500 individuals are cornering the resources of a country where poverty and many other forms of privations are the order of the day, calls for concerted efforts among citizen groups.”

    The group said it is incensed that at a time Nigerians in many states are grappling with the difficulties of living life without salaries, and the dire economic conditions biting so hard, it is provocative for Senators to be living in criminal opulence.

    “Ironically, this is the same Senate led by a character currently standing trial over weighty allegations of false and anticipatory declaration of assets.

    “It is the same institution that has been hijacked by shady figures, including their leader who has also been mentioned as one of those hiding suspicious assets in offshore tax haven, as revealed in the leaked Panama Papers.

    “In defiance to extant procurement laws and the Fiscal Responsibility Act, the Senators have gone ahead to acquire the cars at prices that are twice the actual market value.

    “It is barefaced stealing from the Nigerian people for the Senate to have paid N35.1 million for each of the Toyota Landcruiser purchased, while independent checks confirmed that the Toyota Land Cruiser SUV V6 2016 model is sold at N17 million.

    “TMG calls on President Muhammadu Buhari to take all necessary measures to stop the corrupt and insensitive purchase and distribution of these vehicles by the Senators.

    “Provocative steps like this insensitive purchase and distribution of exotic cars in the face of the current economic struggles remind us of the urgent need to vanquish all forms of corruption and greed from the system.

    “This is why the vendors involved in these shady supplies should be investigated because they are also aiding and abetting the corrupt and wasteful spending by the legislators,” the group said.

    TMG again calls on the Nigerian people to brace up for the coming struggle to confront legislative greed, impunity and corruption.

  • Budget: NASS to override Buhari

    Budget: NASS to override Buhari

    The National Assembly has threatened to override the President Muhamadu Buhari at the end of 30 days if he fails to accent to the 2016 Appropriation bill which was passed by the legislature.

     

    The member representing Afikpo North/South constituency in the Federal House of Representatives, Idu Igariwey stated this yesterday.

     

    The Lawmaker who chided those blaming the National Assembly for making changes to the bill said the lawmakers should not be crucified for doing there constitutional duties.

     

    He said, “Truth of the matter is that the budget came with a lot of difficulties. The budget came almost like a stillborn baby and so it needed the legislators to put life to it. Either because it came in a hurry, was hurriedly conceived and poorly digested before it came to us. Maybe those were the reasons. But at the end of the day, the NASS had to do due diligence to the budget by looking at the various figures and the various areas of allocation of resources”.

     

    “For instance, let us look at the budget for the Works Ministry. If you saw the analysis that was made, you will discover that most parts of the budget were supposed to go to one part of the country. A state like Ebonyi had nothing to do with that budget as it concerns federal roads! And this is a budget that ran into over # 300 billion, I think the only thing that came to Ebonyi state was only # 28 million out of that whooping amount which was maybe to provide shoulder for the Abakaliki-Enugu Road already being completed”.

     

    “And we are only talking about 36 states in this country and so how can you assign #28million out of #300 billion to Ebonyi? And this also happened in other states of the south East. And we as legislators from the East you don’t expect us not to kick against such unequal distribution of our common wealth. So, it was now our duty to ensure that this budget did not go back the way it was conceived by the Minister for Works. We now made sure that some of the items also went to the South East by way of roads”.

    “And that is what the constitution empowers us to do. That is why the constitution gave us the power of appropriation and that is why the document comes to us. There is no legislature in this world where the budget proposal goes to the legislatives and it goes back the same”.

     

    “Then why did you even bring it to the legislature? If there is no need for us to make inputs into it, then the constitution should have conceived a system where the executive will formulate, appropriate, implement and maybe also oversight”.

     

    The lawmaker while recognizing the right of the President to withhold accent noted that the National Assembly also has the right to override him and pass the budget into law”.

     

    “The constitution clearly has made previsions for Mr. President to withdraw his assent as regards any bill, not just the money bill, but the same constitution has given us power within 30 days to override him”.

    “These things were all contemplated by the constitution. So, if Mr. President is withholding his assent, then it is still within his constitutional powers. But he should also expect us as expected by the constitution to also exercise our rights as also provided for by the constitution which is to override his withholding of his assent and when we do, that budget which is the money bill will become law. It’s as simple as he withholds his assent, then we override him”.

  • Don’t play politics with Lagos-Calabar rail project – Uzodimma

    Don’t play politics with Lagos-Calabar rail project – Uzodimma

    Senator Hope Uzodimma representing Imo West Senatorial District in the upper Chamber of the National Assembly Friday cautioned the lawmakers against “playing politics” with the Lagos-Calabar Rail project.

    He commended the Federal Government on the project as appropriated in the 2016 budget.

    Speaking on the controversies trailing the inclusion of the project in the 2016 Federal Budget, Uzodimma said the project when executed would open up business activities within the Lagos/Calabar axis and improve the well-being of the people of the area.

    His position was contained in a statement by his aide; Mr. China said Nwaneri and made available to The Nation in Abuja Friday.

    The senator also called for the timely completion of the ongoing Owerri-Ohaji -Elele dual carriage way to ameliorate the present hardship faced by commuters using the road.

    He appealed to the Ministry of Niger Delta and the contractor handling the project-Arab Contractors to do everything possible to resolve the issues hampering the early completion of the road for the benefit of the commuters who are largely members of his constituency.

    The Senator, who passed through the road last Saturday during an inspection tour of ongoing Federal Government projects in his constituency, regretted the delay in the completion of the project which he attributed to funding.

    “This is one of the major projects that will link Imo State with other coastal states of the Niger Delta and trigger economic development. Therefore, the Federal Ministry of Niger Delta and the contractor-Arab Contractors must do everything possible to ensure timely completion,” he said.

    Uzodimma who is the Chairman Senate Committee on Aviation urged the Ministry and the contractor to resolve all issues and accelerate work on the project before the rainy season sets in.

    “Commuters using the road waste man hours on the road because of its deplorable state and this is not good for their economic well-being and that of Imo and the neighboring states. The Federal Ministry of Niger Delta and the contractor must therefore ensure that it is completed timely to save the people from the night mare they pass through daily on the road,” he stated.

  • Senate rushes passage of CCB Act amendment

    Senate rushes passage of CCB Act amendment

    Determined to pass the Bill for an Act to amend the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act in a record time, the Senate Thursday unanimously endorsed the crucial second reading of the bill.

    The sponsor of the controversial bill, Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, (Delta North) appeared radiant in his red cap as he presented his lead debate.

    Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, presided in the absence of the Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki.

    Debate of the proposed amendment was done in a jiffy with only one Senator, Yahaya Abbdullahi, (Kebbi North) managing to chip in some words of caution about the timing of the bill.

    A total of seven Senators, Dino Melaye, (Kogi West), Barau Jibrin (Kano North), Samuel Anyanwu (Imo East), Biodun Olujimi (Ekiti South), Bukar Abba Ibrahim (Yobe  ), Ibrahim Abdullahi Gobir (Sokoto East) and Ekweremadu (Enugu West) supported the bill while Senator Yahaya Abdullahi appeared to have dissented.

    Nwaoboshi told his colleagues that he sponsored the amendment bill that was promulgated in 1989 and came into operation in 1991 based on the provisions of the 1999 Constitution as it were.

    He insisted that it is clear that the Act did not contemplate criminal trial “so the usage of Criminal Procedure Act and Criminal Procedure Code should not be used as a procedural template in the Tribunal.”

    He promised to provide a comprehensive amendment of the Third Schedule to the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Rules of procedure which should be the distinct rule for proceedings in the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

    He noted that the 1999 Constitution has two schedules-Third schedule and the Fifth schedules dealing extensively with the Code of Conduct for public officer.

    Nwaoboshi noted that the Third Schedule to the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria provides: 3 “The Bureau shall have power to: (a) Receive declaration by public officers made under paragraph 12 of part 1 of the Fifth Schedule of this Constitution;

    (b) Examine the declaration in accordance with the requirements of the Code of Conduct or any law;

    © Retain custody of such declaration and make them available for inspection by citizens of Nigeria on such terms and conditions as the National Assembly may prescribe;

    (d) Ensure compliance with and, where appropriate, enforce the provisions of the Code of Conduct of any law relating thereto;

    (e) Receive complaints about non-compliance with or breach of the provisions of the Code of Conduct or any law in relation thereto, investigate the compliant and, where appropriate, refer such matters to the Code of Conduct Tribunal;

    Nwaoboshi urged his colleagues to support the bill.

    Senator Melaye in his contribution said that he studied the bill and it is clear to him that the Code of Conduct Act should be amended.

    Melaye noted that it has become apparent that the Code of Conduct Tribunal had begun to dive into criminal proceedings and criminal trial which was not the intention of the framers of the Act.

    He noted that the Act clearly stated that before trial, the person involved shall be communicated and the person will respond accordingly.

    He also said that the Tribunal should have at least three judges even though the Act stipulates five judges “but today the Tribunal has just two judges which is against the spirit and letters of the Act.”

    Senator Jibrin on his own said that it remained the duty of the National Assembly to make and amend laws where necessary to ensure that justice is always done.

    He added that in doing so, there should be fairness at all times.

    Senator Anyanwu reminded his colleagues that the only thing constant in life is change.

    He added that the Senate has the duty to amend gray areas of any legislation.

    Senator Olujimi said the amendment should be done “as quickly as possible.

    Senator Ibrahim also said the amendment should be done as quickly as possible and urged the presiding officer to find out if any senator was against the amendment.

    Senator Gobir described that amendment as “timely and important” and asked the Senate to go ahead to effect the amendment.

    Abdullahi however cautioned that timing of the presentation of the amendment was not auspicious.

    He said, “I want to point a word of caution. The question of the timing of this bill should be taken into consideration. Nigerian people can easily interpret that since 1991, this Act was not challenged but because our principal officer is being tried, we decided to come up with this amendment.”

    Abdullahi asked the upper chamber to re-examine whether the timing of the bill is right.

    Senator Ekweremadu asked if any senator was against the bill. There was pin drop silence on the floor.

    The Deputy Senate President noted that the bill has nothing to do with the proceedings going on in which the Senate President is involved.

    He said that Senators are only doing their job as parliamentarians adding that that Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal have come to stay.

    He however insisted that in carrying out their function, there must be equity and fairness.

    Ekweremadu who said that the Senate is not trying to frustrate anybody or institution, added “we must always do our jobs without fear or favour.”

    The bill was referred to the joint committee on Judiciary and Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions to report back in two weeks.

     

  • NASS Legislative Aides vow to disobey Clerk over poll 

    NASS Legislative Aides vow to disobey Clerk over poll 

    National Assembly Legislative Aides may clash with the Clerk to the National Assembly, Alhaji Salisi Maikasuwa over the move by the aides to elective new executive officers.

    The aides, under the aegis of National Assembly Legislative Aides Forum, Wednesday disowned a caretaker committee inaugurated by Maikashuwa, to midwife an electoral process for the election of new officers.

    The Clerk to the National Assembly, had in collaboration with some members of the National Assembly bureaucracy appointed a seven – member caretaker committee led by the younger brother of the Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial zone, Mr. Samuel Melaye.

    Six other members each of the six geo – political zones in the country were picked by the Clerk to organise a credible poll within three months.

    However, some members of the National Assembly Legislative Aides Forum at a press conference in Abuja Wednesday announced the inauguration of an electoral body to organise the election for the emergence of new officers of the group.

    Chairman of the NASSLAF Electoral Committee, Mr. Ishaya Nantur-Vangjen, told reporters that the caretaker committee set up by the Clerk was not known to the constitution of the group.

    He said that members of the forum were not aware of the members of the caretaker committee constituted by the Clerk.

    Nantur-Vengjen noted that each of the 12-member electoral committee selected by NASSLAF from the six geo – political zones, would organise a credible poll for the group.

    He noted the constitution of the group stipulates that the CNA shall direct the conduct of election of the central working committee and the executive within six months of the inauguration of a new legislature.

    According to him, where the clerk fails to call for election, 250 duly appointed members, stating their file numbers, shall summon a congress to initiate the process of election and communicate decision to the CNA.

    Nantur-Vangjen, who said the group had satisfied necessary constitution requirements to conduct the election, stated that the election process would start on 14th April (today) and terminate on Tuesday 3rd, May, 2016.

    Melaye had in a statement, told members of NASSLAF to await his caretaker committee’s election timetable.

    He also assured to conduct a credible poll to usher in new officers of the group.

    He said, “For the clearance of doubt, the Clerk of National Assembly, Alhaji Salisu Maikashuwa, had on March 23 appointed my caretaker committee to run the affairs of the group for three months to create enabling environment to organise election for substantive executive.

    “This caretaker committee was set up to avoid any form of vacuum created by the inauguration of current National Assembly which marked the end of previous NASSLAF Executive led by now Honourable member of House of Representatives, Hon. Mahmud Abdulkadir.

    “The inauguration conducted by the Clerk of National Assembly took place within the National Assembly premises, in the presence of all the representatives of various security agencies in the National Assembly.

    “We wish to use this medium to urge bonafide members of NASSLAF and general public to ignore the fictitious story meant to cause friction amongst members and portray NASSLAF in bad light.

    “In the midst of expressing our electoral rights, we should not forget part of our vision in NASSLAF, which is to protect collective interest of National Assembly Legislative Aides and serve our bosses diligently.”

     

  • F.G charged to commence building of maritime varsity

    F.G charged to commence building of maritime varsity

    Following the passage of the 2016 Budget by the National Assembly, the Federal Government has been charged to commence in earnest the construction of the Nigeria Maritime University, Okerenkoko in Delta State.

    A Niger Delta based Non-Governmental Organization, Center for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ), which gave the charge, said the recommendation to continue the specialized institution was made in bad faith.

    This is contained in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Sheriff Mulade and made available to newsmen in Warri, the commercial hub of Delta State.

    “We believe that scrapping the maritime university is not a good idea. These are people who have been suffering from untold hardship due to oil exploration and exploitative activities.

    “This is an area hosting a lot of oil and gas facilities including the Escravos Gas to Liquid Project, and yet the Minister had the temerity to say that no parent will allow his or her child to attend the university,” the statement said.

    CEPEJ advised the Federal Government to do the needful by retracing its steps and resuming work on the university site, maintaining that the suggestion that only feasibility study was done on the institution was indicative that the Minister was out of touch with reality.

    The NGO urged the Federal Government to send an independent body to visit the institution for on the spot assessment of the extent of work done and not rely on imaginary reports and fifth columnist to form its judgment and policy implementation.

    The Center reiterated that the institution would not reinvigorate economic activities in the coastal community but would go a long way to engage the youth positively thus reducing youth restiveness and militancy as according to it, “an idle mind is the devil’s workshop.”

  • ASUU to National Assembly: reduce JAMB’s powers

    ASUU to National Assembly: reduce JAMB’s powers

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has called on the National Assembly to restrict the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to the conduct of examination.

    It said the power granted JAMB to determine who gets admission into university was at variance with university’s autonomy.

    The union urged the National Assembly to revisit the proposal sent to it for the review of the Act setting up JAMB.

    ASUU’s National President Dr. Nasir Isa Fagge, who spoke to The Nation, frowned at the series of irregularities that characterised the Universal Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

    Fagge said the law of every university empowers its Senate to determine whom to admit, and not JAMB.

    The outgoing ASUU president lamented that but for some interest, the proposal would have sailed through.

    He said: “The union in the 2006-2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement observed that there is anomaly in JAMB. ASUU maintains that JAMB does not have the right to dictate to universities, who should be offered admission.

    “Our position is that JAMB should conduct the examination and results should be passed to universities, which determine which candidate is ideal for admission. ASUU insisted it is the responsibility of the university senate as enshrined in their laws to decide who is qualified to be a student in that university.

    “JAMB is violating universities’ autonomy by insisting it would determine who goes into which university. On the basis of that, ASUU was able to agree with the government on the need to review the Act setting up JAMB.  With all sense of modesty, we are able to draft a proposal for the review of JAMB and another proposal for the Bill on NUC (National Universities Commission) Act, and a bill for the National Minimum Standard Act.

    “These have been in the National Assembly and ASUU has been pursuing this to happen, but it has not probably because there are interests. However, we are saying we shall not give up on this.”

    Fagge described JAMB’s new multiple choice system, in which candidates are given an option of two universities, polytechnics and colleges of education, as against the dictates of the National Policy on Education.

    “To start with,” Fagge said, “that examination is not in tune with the National Policy on Education. We are talking of different levels of manpower- low, medium, high and then you bring all, irrespective of their interest and expected professionalism associated with what they are going to undertake, to sit for the examination. There may be somebody who though is very good, but prefers other institution than universities, maybe a college of education because he wants to be a teacher.

    “Now, you are forcing him to go to a university. Forget about this right to choose between universities, polytechnics and colleges as reviewed by JAMB. The fact remains that it is expected that whoever performs very high should automatically go to universities whether he is interested in universities or not.

    “We faulted UTME during a presentation by ASUU which I led as the president.  At present, UTME is becoming problematic and universities are finding some who are not interested in coming to university system.

    “To add more salt into the injury, some candidates have high marks in UTME but when you subject them to the nitty-gritty of classroom work, at the end, many of them fall into probation because they could not score a CGPA of 1.”

  • Buhari still awaiting 2016 Budget details – Presidency

    Buhari still awaiting 2016 Budget details – Presidency

    The Presidency on Tuesday raised the alarm that President Muhammadu Buhari was still waiting for the details of the 2016 Appropriation bill almost a week after it was passed by the National Assembly.

    A presidency source who does not want his name in print, said that the President is anxious to assent the bill.

    The delay, the source said, is slowing down quick implementation of government programmes contained in the budget.

    He said: “The President has just received the transmission of the Appropriation Bill (2016 Budget) from the National Assembly and is very anxious to sign it into law, but the National Assembly only sent in the highlights without the details of the budget.

    “As result, the President has been handicapped in signing the Bill because he does not know what is contained in the details and what adjustments the National Assembly must have made to the proposal sent to them.

    “Although he is anxious to sign the document so that implementation of the provisions could start immediately and ease the tension in the economy and polity, he is afraid he may later discover, when the details are sent, that what is contained therein is not implementable.

    “He wishes the National Assembly could send in the details speedily so that it could be considered for assent.

    According to him, Ministers are also eager that the budget be signed so they could start implementing their programmes,

    He added: “But they are unable to push the President to sign what has been transmitted because they also do not know what is contained in the details.

    “They are particularly worried that the year is gradually aging and the provision of the law in respect of spending the previous year’s budget is not helping matters because of the low Capital provision for 2015.

    “Because of the low provision made last year for capital expenditure, spending 50% of that provision for the first half of this year will make no impact on provision of infrastructure.

    He also said that the Budget Office cannot work on the Budget for implementation because it is the details, and not the highlights, that they convert into implementable templates for the respective MDAs.

    He said: “This development confirms speculations that the National Assembly either did not complete work on the budget or are playing politics with the documents which affects the life of both the country and its citizens.

    “The National Assembly may just have passed the bill to pass the buck to the executive and escape the wrath of the public which was gradually suspecting it of sabotage.” He stated.

  • National Assembly wants special funding for health‎ in 2017 Budget

     

    The National Assembly is asking for a special funding package for the health sector in 2017 budget.

     

    The legislative body on Thursday declared its support for a report by the National Institute for Legislative Study (NILS)‎ which demanded a special funding for maternal and child health in the 2017 budget.

     

    It advised the Federal Government among others, to make provision for resources towards training healthcare workers across the country as a means of improving health care services in Nigeria.

     

    The position of the National Assembly was conveyed at the presentation of a research report on Government Funding Obligations on Child and Family Health by the NILS to the Senate and House Committees on ‎National Planning and Economic Affairs, Health, and Appropriations.

     

    Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Planning and Economic Affairs, Senator Musa Rabiu Kwankwaso said the poor situation in the health sector could be addressed if government embarked on training to boost capacity of health workers‎ as a way of resolving problems arising from shortage of experienced personnel at healthcare institutions across the country.

     

    He said: “I think government needs to look critically at ensuring that it provides special funding for health in the 2017 budget.

     

    “If provision is made in that regard, government will be able to train health care workers so as to make up for the shortage of experienced hands which most of our health care institutions are complaining about.

     

    “If that is done, I think a major part of the problems we have in striving to attain quality healthcare will be taken care of.”

     

    ‎In its policy brief on Maternal and Child Health in Nigeria, the NILS, while asking for special funding for the health sector in next year’s budget, noted that the National Assembly plays a pivotal role towards winning the fight for improved Maternal and Child Health.

     

    According to the Institute, the apex legislative body could achieve the feat by prioritizing the core areas of Maternal and Child Health in the budget, and ensuring effective tracking, monitoring and evaluation‎ of budgetary provisions for the components of MCH such as nutrition, reproductive health and immunization.

     

    “The current economic downturn portends serious challenge to adequate funding of MCH. Nevertheless, there is need to meet promises and obligations through improved budgetary provision and effective mechanisms of accountability.

     

    “This calls for harmonization through National Health Account, effective monitoring and oversight using costless innovative approaches. These have potential of boosting access to and utilization of MCH services in rural communities,” NILS added.

     

  • Again National Assembly fails to lay 2016 budget

    Again National Assembly fails to lay 2016 budget

     

     

    The two chambers of the National Assembly Thursday reneged on their promise to lay the 2016 budget preparatory to its consideration and passage on Tuesday.

    It became clear that the budget might not be laid as promised when it was not listed in the Order Paper of the Senate and House of Representatives.

    Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, had told reporters that the budget would be laid Thursday.

    That was not to be as no mention of the Appropriation Bill was made during Senate plenary Thursday.

    At a joint press briefing by the two chambers, the lawmakers claimed that the need to “sit down and check what we call data cleansing and integration” made them to back down on the promise to lay the fiscal document.

    Abdullahi who was the first to speak at the briefing also said that the two Appropriation Committees of the Senate and the House of Representatives “must integrate, harmonise and consolidate” the budget before it could be laid.

    He described the budget as “something very technical and tedious and if you recall, this is a very voluminous document.”

    The National Assembly, he said, does not “want to rush just because we want to keep to a promise that Wednesday the budget must be passed.”

    He said that what the National Assembly owe Nigerians is a budget that is implementable, a budget that will kick-start the reflection of our national economy; a budget that will help to create jobs and therefore stimulate our economic rebirth.

    He added that “for those of you who know statistics, in everything you do, you must give freedom for degree of error.”

    Abdullahi said that the entire process of laying and passing the budget would be completed next week, “God willing.”

    Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Media, Hon. Abdulrazak Namdas, blamed the failure to lay the budget as promised no the need to pass a budget that will be “applauded by the entire country than to rush and make some few mistakes.”

    Namdas who pleaded the understanding of Nigerians added that as the first Appropriation Bill of the 8th National Assembly, “we cannot afford to make any mistake.

    Abdullahi said, “You will recall we promised we promised Nigerians that by today 17th March, we will pass the 2016 appropriation. Thursday, I also confirmed to you that today, that same appropriation bill will be laid, bearing any last minute technical hitches or otherwise.

    “We are here to let you know that as of today, we are unable to lay the 2016 appropriation bill and thus we are hoping next week that process will be completed.

    “When I briefed you, I recalled you were asking if the passage will be completed by next week. And we said ‘yes’ when you lay the budget the next thing is for you to discuss the budget and get it passed. The two activities will be carried out next week God’s willing.

    “Let me pre-empt you because I know you will be saying perhaps we have failed to keep to our promise. As far as we are concerned, we have not failed.

    “What is happening is the seriousness with which we take the 2016 appropriation. It’s such that we cannot also afford to make errors that will become very costly to this nation.

    “We have finished all necessary work within the context of the various committees. But remember when you do the paper work, you have to also get people who will sit down and check what we call data cleansing and integration; that is the two Appropriation Committees must integrate.

    “That is the essence of what you call harmonisation. This is something very technical and tedious and if you recall, this is a very voluminous document. So, in our own understanding, we don’t want to rush just because we want to keep to a promise that today that budget must be passed.

    “What we owe to Nigerians is a budget that is implementable; a budget that will kick-start the reflection of our national economy.

    “It’s a budget that will help to create jobs and therefore stimulate our economic rebirth. So, that is what we have seen as a key objective and I want to assure you that for those of you who know statistics, in everything you do, you must give freedom for degree of error.

    “And plus or minus five is the basic standard that I’m aware of. Within this context, if next week, we will be able to take this, then within that margin of error, the National Assembly is still on course.

    “We call on Nigerians to understand that we are as eager as you to get this budget out but at the same time, we owe you a duty to ensure that the budget that will be out is one that is implementable.

    “I think those handling this assignment are having sleepless night just to ensure that we do a thorough job.”

    Asked to confirm whether the reported errors in the budget are partly responsible for not laying the budget Thursday, Abdullahi said

    “I never alluded to the fact that there was such errors that you are referring to. What we said is data integration and consolidation, which means at the end of the day, the Appropriation Bill has to come in the same form to be laid in the two chambers.”

    He added, “The House of Representatives worked as an independent chamber, the Senate worked as an independent chamber. We came back again at that level of the Appropriation Committee to harmonise.

    “What we have tried to do is to work together all along. But at the last end of the work, that harmonisation must be done very thoroughly. So, this is not a simple job because they have certain things that they believe should be done.

    “We have certain things here that should be done and we must meet and agree on one position. That is the essence of this exercise.

    “Having done that on paper, those who will go on to the computer and do the punching, we must give them time. That is where the errors can come in. And we don’t want to come back here and start telling you that there is a printer’s devil.

    “Let me also reiterate that as official spokesmen of the two chambers, we are not here to corroborate rumours, neither are we here to lend credence to rumours.

    “Those who have their facts know where they got their facts. And I think it is in their own right that you go to them to make explanations.

    “Based on all the work that has been done, I don’t think I have an official copy (of the budget) because that work is still to be completed.

    So, you wait. When we lay our budget that document that is laid, when you have any issue with it you relate to us and then we shall answer the questions. But for now, please go to the source. “

    On whether his use of the words ‘God willing’ and ‘hopefully’ meant that he is not sure if the budget will be laid and passed next week.

    He said, “I’m a Muslim and in everything I do, I don’t think if I say God willing there is anything wrong with that.

    And if I say ‘hopefully’ remember if I am the one to give it to you and it’s in my pocket, then I am talking with that guarantee.

    “This is work process; we are working as a team. So, in a team work, you must hope.  We are saying that we are hoping, we have absolute confidence in the capacity and willingness of those people doing this work to do their work.

    “And they are there doing their work. What is important for us to understand is: there is nothing wrong in setting a target. The essence of setting a target is for you to have something in which you will be working and hoping to achieve. And so, you keep your work rate along that line.

    “These people working are human beings, they have families. If you ask somebody to do a work, he is supposed to finish it in two hours and something crops us that will not allow him to finish it in another 30 minutes, is there anything wrong with that?

    “Let’s look at it from this perspective: the budget is a very serious matter. And I don’t think we are here to joke. We are here to make sure we have a budget that is implementable.

    “And by saying a budget that is implementable, it does not allude to the fact that the budget brought to us is battered.

    “What is important is that as legislators, we have a responsibility to appropriate for this country because we are representing different constituencies. And so, everybody must come with the lenses of the problem from the constituency in which he’s representing.”

    “So, what we are saying is that the legislature has received a document from the Executive. It has become the property of the legislature. And we are working on it.

    “At the end of the day, when we finish and hand it over to them, that is when you can decide whether we have done a thorough job or not.

    “We are not a rubber stamp. And so, the document coming from the Executive must go through proper scrutiny. And we are praying and hoping that by next week, we will be able to complete it.”