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Tag: national assembly

  • Are Nigerians condemned to this profligate national assembly?

    Why are politicians so conscienceless they would always agree on loots, irrespective of differences in party affiliation or is the National Assembly a cultic coven where they swear to things besides the wellbeing of the populace?

    Wale Adeoye wrote, mutatis mutandis: “The 100m collected by Chief Falae is most distasteful. It’ is a naked case of corruption and a display of crass opportunism. His party is SDP, not PDP. So what we are seeing is a sly script whereby the then ruling party had many quislings parading themselves as independent parties. The implication is that all their candidates were a ruse in a deceitful plot to fool Nigerians. He succeeded in fooling millions of people who voted for SDP thinking they prefer it to PDP or the APC especially in Ogun State, where Chief Segun Osoba held sway.  It is not funny that an Afenifere chieftain could be involved in this sort of thing.  Ladoja and his Accord Party could not have surprised many.  The cash meant for development and transformation of roads, healthcare and social services were squandered in the most conscienceless manner. It then means that all the support for GEJ by the SDP was driven by greed and avarice. Chief Falae should ask himself if he thinks Awo could ever have partnered Anenih in this dirty deal. Were this to be Tinubu, some Afenifere subalterns would have promptly turned emergency authors, not only hectoring us, but churning out books, literally at the speed of light, to be launched by whatever remains of the PDP rump.
    Also, one should ask the crooked banks what role they played in the entire Dasukigate.  Was the 100m paid into banks? Did the banks raise issues as requested by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit? Was it raw cash indicating clear cases of money laundering? On a lighter side, HRH Sanusi Lamido Sanusi should be recalled immediately. All said, there is the urgent need to cut the spiral wave of election finances and the crazy expenditure by politicians in order to get elected. There should be a cap on these huge election expenses which have turned our own version of elections to a venture driven by investments and immediate profit. Politicians who bribe or outspend the stipulated caps should be heavily sanctioned. If we  are able to get around this, we would see responsible individuals, not  cheats and misfits, emerge as leaders  in every phase of our politics which  presently looks like the caricature of a wasted generation”-  Adeoye, a multi-award winning journalist

    What exactly will drive Nigerians literally mad and get them sick and tired enough to risk all, and everything, to storm this very inconsiderate National Assembly? When will  an average Nigerian policeman,  who  puts his life on the line to ensure  that  angry Nigerians cannot  storm this anti-people National  Assembly, realise that the men and women he stands ramrod, defending with his life, together with their bureaucrats and staff of the National Assembly Service Commission as well as those of the Institute of Legislative studies,  number less than 10,000 but has,  in the last five years,  cornered  a  humongous, yearly  budget  of N150 billion? Nor is it likely that the massive drop in oil prices which has completely rubbished the national currency, would be considered by them as   tangible enough to restrain or moderate their greed? When exactly would these set of Nigerians, many of who had been state governors, ministers  or  held other high public offices  which Nigerians know are mostly avenues to  steal  from the public coffer, and  through  which many of them  became emergency  billionaires,  realise that there is a God to whom they will account? Why are politicians so conscienceless they would always agree on loots, irrespective of differences in party affiliation or is the National Assembly a cultic coven where they swear to things besides the wellbeing of the populace?  What drives their insatiable greed?

    Now, these are, no doubt, grave charges which should not be lightly made. I therefore proceed to properly situate these charges  to  let  Nigerians  know  how gravely ill-served they are by  a group  of people  to whom their, and the national interest , should ordinarily  have been  paramount .  To do this, I shall rely, heavily, on the great investigative work done by  a team of  reporters  from the stable of  this newspaper,  whose very  dispiriting findings were contained in the article: N4.7 BILLION VEHICLES –NASS JOLLY RIDE HITS ROAD BUMP which appeared in its edition  of  January 10, 2016.

    The report begins: ’the yearly allocation to the national assembly, which it shrouds in utter secrecy, surpasses the annual budget of 21 of Nigeria’s 36 states, including Katsina, Benue and Jigawa – all three with a population of more than four million people’. It went further to say that whilst Nigerians are busy discussing their mindless plan to buy cars running into about N4.7 Billion which they claim are for committee work, as if they were granted car loans for jolly rides, the vehicles’ huge insurance premium which runs into hundreds of millions of naira and cannot be concluded without their interests being taken into consideration, escapes critical attention. In their unduly secretive financial arrangement, not a single Nigerian outside their cult, can claim to know how much they earn individually. While, with the mere touch of the button on your computer, you can know that the U.S Senator/Congressman earns $174,000 and his U.K. counterpart earns 74,000 thousand pounds, both with a stated allowance for aides which they dare not divert as our own National Assembly just did the N10.6 billion recently approved for all the legislative aides of the 7th National Assembly. All you can say with a measure of certainty concerning these our overlords is that they pocket a minimum  quarterly allowance of not less than between N45 -60 million. That in a country with a huge unemployment percentage and where the few lucky to be employed do not know when you would be paid, if at all.

    The report did not fail to touch on the ‘committee cars’ bought at outrageous prices of about N9 million each during the 7th Assembly.  According to their findings, each senator went away with at least one Prado jeep sold off by the National Assembly Management at a paltry N2 million each. Ask them where this money is, and you are told that the National Assembly is not a revenue generating arm of government. Competing with the reckless manner cars are bought and disposed off is the gravely outlandish manner in which they choose to build whatever type of mansion which catches their fancy. Though as far back as during the Obasanjo era most benefits, including housing, have been monetised, this National Assembly  deemed it necessary to devote  a whooping N502 million for the construction of  a new official residence for the Senate President. That will, however, account for only site clearing, earthworks, unstated outstanding liabilities – Nigerians know that type – as another N200,694,435 is proposed to cover ‘consultancy and outstanding liabilities’ – reminds one of that Benue politician’s consultancy  bonanza  in Dasukigate. This is besides the fact that the FCT is to embark on the construction of an official residence for the Speaker of the House of Representatives at a cost of N1,035,652,652 to which amount  I know  Senate President’s residence would soon be jacked up to since it is all driven by ego and the very reason we saw that near murderous fight for leadership positions in the National Assembly earlier in the session.

    All these, and the freedom to spend money like it was going out of fashion, the reporters discovered, underpins the National  Assembly’s  single minded opposition to  its   inclusion  in the Treasury Single Account(TSA). The way they argue, you would think they were the ones elected president. They are not in any way superior to the other arms of government which are already captured in that system. For the president to agree to that outlandish demand, would mean diminishing the presidency and it will be difficult for Nigerians to know who exactly is in charge.

    It is my hope that  sooner than later, Nigerians would come to the realisation that the National Assembly, as presently constituted, and relying  on  Section 7 (10) and 2 of the National Assembly Service Commission Act 2000, as it does,  to act like a bull in a china shop,  is certainly not in their best interest. Everything should be done, therefore, through civil society organisations leading every other strata of the Nigerian polity, to obliterate this overpowering impunity by cancelling out the Senate, which actually adds nothing to our well being. Nigeria does not need anything more than a responsible, people-friendly House of Representatives.

  • ‘National Assembly ‘ll fight corruption’

    ‘National Assembly ‘ll fight corruption’

    Former Sokoto State Governor Aliyu Wamakko was instrumental to the victory of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in last year’s general elections. The senator from Sokoto Central and Chairman, Senate Committee on Basic and Secondary Education, spoke with ADAMU SULEIMAN in Sokoto, the state capital, on the Buhari Administration, the anti-graft war and his style of leadership. 

    You are the Chairman, Senate Committee on Basic and Secondary Education. Are you satisfied with the 2016 budgetary allocation to the education sector?

    Let me start by saying that the 2016 budget recently presented by the President is so articulate and transparent to. It comprehensively captured key aspects with fundamental focus on education, with priority to basic education, which is the foundation of a knowledge driven society. The budget has taken into account of the sector, in view of the commitment of Mr. President to ensuring adequate attention is given to basic and secondary education, particularly in the areas of teachers welfare and feeding of pupils.

    The essence is to revive the nation’s foundation level in education, in both the structures and qualified manpower, to ensure the restoration of standards as well boost the morale of both teachers and pupils.

    Fundamentally, our primary functions are legislation and over sight activities. We have commenced the coordination of the MDAs under basic and secondary education. There are 23 of them.

    What we intend to do is to listen to them and other stakeholders e.g PTAs and know their concerns, obstacles, activities and possible areas of intervention.

    We are also fine-tuning these aspects of the budget to tally with approvals. While doing this, we are taking into cognisance relevance of training and retraining of teachers.

    Glad that I am not a stranger to these challenges as a career teacher. The committee will have to ensure responsive and impacting legislation, purposeful intervention as well rally government, the society and parents whose role are important in achieving the desired goals.

    We require collective efforts to make public schools more attractive like their private counterparts.

    In the education sector, gender disparity in the North is critical than other regions. Tackling it seems to be difficult. What is your take on that?

    In fact, going by the records of the ratio of male to female children of school age, there is much to be desired to make up, particularly in North, in terms of ensuring gender equality is prioritised to provide equal opportunity for the girl child to acquire formal education. The enrolment of the girl-child is low. This phenomenon is influenced by three basic reasons: socio-cultural, economic and ignorance or lack of awareness on the part of most parents and to a large extent, our existing laws. We need to fine-tune our laws and other aspects to fast track improvement.

    Although the North is committed to bridging the disparity because there is improvement both in the female enrolment, curricular and standard. But, what is most important here is that our committee will ensure synergy of the three tiers of government’s, (federal, state, local)  to be committed as well sensitise and create awareness for parents, especially on the educations policies and programmes outlined to resuscitate the sector. This will be in addition to the establishment of more girls colleges particularly boarding schools.

    Like in the Northeast where many school age children, both males and females, are out of school sequel to terrorists attacks. The Federal Government with active participation of the committee is working out modalities to rehabilitate them and get their children back to school.

    It may also interest you to know that I was on a visit to Sudan where I was amazed to come across a number of female students from Sokoto, who are schooling there and if Sokoto can be placed on that pedestal of awareness to allow the girl-child seek knowedge outside, other states should be able to do that.

    The funding for research and development in our institutions of higher learning has been an issue of concern. What is your committee’s plan on that?

    The world is knowledge and research driven. These cannot be effectively and efficiently carried out and sustained without adequate funding. That is why the budget has preference for education sector. I am of the opinion beleive that government is committed to the issue of research and development in our higher institutions of learning.

    As a member of Senate Committee on Defence, can you tell Nigerians what the committee has in stock for them in terms of general security?

    Actually, the issue of security is a critical aspect and the major challenge before us and the nation in particular. Firstly, as a committee, we will invite and sit with the service chiefs to get all the necessary information regarding the security situation particularly on where we are in the fight against insurgency and how we can get out of the shackles. The primary concern should be how Nigerians will sleep with their eyes close without threat to their lives and property. We need to use this piece of information and also study our existing laws and enactment governing their operations. This will guide us in fine tuning and appraising possible areas for better results.

    Also, the government has to show practical and moral commitment, in terms of incentives to boost their moral. Our committee, through its oversight function, has to effectively and efficiently complement this effort with every honesty. We will ensure that the issue of security is approached with vigour, sincerity and trust because the issue of security cannot be compromised. We all have to play our role all sense of commitment.

    What private member bills have you sponsored or you are working on?

    Let me say here that bills are the pacesetters for development in nation building. Because they provide the basis for so many positive things to happen. It is not the number of bills a legislator sponsors, but the quality. It has to impact positively on the lives of citizens not just to sponsor bills. If you sponsor 100 bills and none has brought positive change to those you are representing, it means your presence in the legislature is not worthy. So, the less, precise and quality a bill is, the more impact it will make to people. Therefore, I don’t believe in too many bills. Some people only want to be heard at sittings. For example, the issue of rice importation. Why should  the country be importing rice when we have the land and human capital that can be adequately supported to produce it, not only for local consumption, but in commercial quantity for possible export to earn us foreign exchange. This is one of the aspects that will impact on our people because we have farmers who deserve to some value added to their efforts.

    Some people have said that the National Assembly in the previous administration did not do enough to fight corruption. How can the present NASS remove that perception from the minds of Nigerians?

    To start with, Nigerians should learn to appreciate and respect individuals, standing and the image of the country. These two things are important in our drive to develop our country. The stigmatisation, attacks and condemnation syndrome not be encouraged. We have the duty to potray and defend our country in positive light, but not otherwise. There are good and serious people in this country with amiable track record and character.

    Now, coming down to the issue of corruption in the NASS. I don’t and cannot see why we should be corrupt because I am confident of the Eighth Assembly team of legislators. Secondly, we don’t have the veto power and nobody is begging for contracts. Therefore, I see no reason we can be corrupt. Besides, we are there for Nigerians whose mandate we represent and we are active players in the current regime for change. So, we cannot be part of the struggle and act differently or in the opposite. We have a reputation to protect individually and collectively.

    People have described you as an epitome of  “market place” governance. Could you reflect on your leadership style as governor?

    Let me say that, as a leader, you have to be humble and open. Take your self like any other human being on the street. Come down to their level and appreciate them all the time. I mean you have to be accessible and you will earn their confidence and trust as a politician. Don’t go back as an emperor after getting support during elections. Why I am still doing what I did when I served as governor is that I believe human beings deserve and require respect. There is a saying that respect begets respect. Also, respect is earned while reputation is built on trust. And when you have them, you are okay and good to be endaered to people.

    Besides, I don’t put barrier to anyone visiting my house. My doors are open and when you do that, you earn people’s confidence. My career as a trained teacher has been instrumental to that also because I take people along. I don’t neglect people because no person made his or her self but God. To tell you, I sit and chat with lepers. They visit my house and pray for me. I don’t runaway from people.

    I feel honoured the way the ‘Aliyu’ phenomenon became widespread in the state and that is why I keep making everyone supporting me happy.

    I must be frank with you that the challenges I faced as a governor are not the same now. In fact, it was more difficult and unique as governor. My privacy and family were affected because all your life and time was for the people 24 hours. Always on alert. Even if your sleeps, you mind is awake. But now I can sleep and design my activities without stress. My responsibilities have reduced drastically.

    Only God can save a governor because leadership in whatever capacity is not easy, but I find people rushing to lead. Although it is good to be a leader, except that today, discipline and respect are no longer fashionable in our democracy, unlike in the First Republic. In the 60s, there was what people believed as rulership, not leadership. Because discpline and respect were observed with fear.

    How do you want to be remembered as a former governor of Sokoto State?

    Well, I have served my state for eight solid years as governor and have been able to render my best. It’s rare opportunity and I thank the people of the state. First, I want to be remembered as one who ran a servant-people government, not a master-servant government.

    Secondly, as a demystified servant. I mean one who was open, accessible and transparent. Although, things have changed now but we are making progress generally. We are thankful to God and you journalists because we are proud of you people.

  • Full text of Saraki’s Speech at 2016 budget presentation

    Full text of Saraki’s Speech at 2016 budget presentation

    ADDRESS BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND CHAIRMAN OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, HIS EXCELLENCY, SENATOR (DR.) ABUBAKAR BUKOLA SARAKI TO THE JOINT SESSION OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ON THE PRESENTATION OF THE 2016 DRAFT APPROPRIATION BILL BY HIS EXCELLENCY, PRESIDENT MOHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT AND COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA.

    Protocol:
    It is my pleasure on behalf of my Distinguished and Honourable colleagues to warmly welcome you and your entourage to this joint session of the National Assembly.

    Mr. President, your coming to this hallowed chamber in person today to present the 2016 draft Appropriation Bill, bears eloquent testimony to your profound respect and commitment to the ideals of our constitutional democracy and the dictate of the rule of law.

    This is the first time in a few years that the President of Nigeria has personally performed this constitutional task. It highlights the importance you have attached to building a smooth working relationship with the National Assembly. This is a positive gesture that is not lost on all of us.

    Mr. President, the National Assembly is acutely aware of the challenges we face today as a nation both in terms of the economy and security. In addition to this, the price of oil is at a 7 year low and the dwindling government revenue consequently.

    This notwithstanding, in order to meet with the aspirations of Nigerians across all works of life, we expect that the budget must de-emphasis recurrent expenditure and prioritize the upgrade of infrastructure in order to achieve economic recovery and generate employment for our teeming population.

    The 2016 budget must also be bold and pragmatic in providing transparent incentives and conducive environment that will prime private sector-led development, encourage local production and promote made-in Nigeria goods.

    Mr. President, the National Assembly is conscious of the yearning of Nigerians for quick delivery of democracy dividends. The National Assembly has a critical role to play and we recognize this role. On the budget we are willing and ready to provide the scrutiny necessary to pass only a budget that can be implemented comprehensively to the letter. We are ready to move swiftly and speedily to pass the 2016 Appropriation Bill.

    The swift passage of the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper already points to our commitment and resolve towards this. I would like to use this opportunity to thank all my colleagues in the Senate and the House for their steadfastness and patriotism in this area. We will apply same but in the light of the great importance of this document we will not short-circuit scrutiny on the altar of expediency.

    I acknowledge that the task of implementing the budget is primarily that of the Executive. But our recent experience has shown that even with the best of intentions, too much discretionary powers over budget matters are inimical to accountability. It is also true that impunity and corruption thrive best when the democratic safeguards for checks and balances collapse and accountability institutions abdicate their responsibilities. In this regard, the 8th National Assembly intends to discharge our oversight responsibilities fully.

    I therefore, want to implore Your Excellency to support us in this important task by ensuring that members of your government promptly respond to invitations for clarifications when they are required to do so by the National Assembly. Mr. President, if only half of the unfolding allegations regarding financial misappropriation under the previous administration are true, they would already be sufficient evidence of the dangers that we face when public officials treat accountability institutions with disdain and oversight activities with irritation.

    I am confident that your avowed commitment to the rule of law and accountability would have no accommodation for such behavior. On our own side, we want to assure you that we shall only pursue that which is provided for by the laws and strictly within the ambits of the law.

    Mr. President, I wish you to assure you that both chambers of the National Assembly are united in our support for your administration. We both recognize that even as we seek to maintain the integrity and independence of our respective Chambers, that autonomy must be embedded within the overriding responsibility we all have, to improve the quality of lives of our people and make them proud once again to be Nigerians. We recognize that a harmonious National Assembly is essential not only to Legislative progress, but also for the Executive to function effectively.

    I therefore invite Mr. President to take advantage of this relationship, which we have not had for a couple of years, to push through some of the necessary reforms that would promote our economy. It is in this light that the National Assembly is also prioritizing the passage of laws that further enhances our business environment and promotes accountability in governance.

    Let me assure you Mr. President, that with the 8th National Assembly you have got a partner. An ally to help you steer the ship of State in the right direction for growth, transparency, accountability, equal opportunities, inclusion and fairness. We will stand by you and work with you to see Nigeria become the pride of all Nigerians home and abroad and earn the respect it deserves in the global arena.

    With these few words, I hereby invite Your Excellency to deliver your speech and lay the 2016 budget proposals for the consideration of the National Assembly in accordance with Section 81 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.

    I thank you and extend the season’s greetings to everyone.

    PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE

    Dr. Bukola Saraki

  • $2.1b arms deal: Saraki blames National Assembly

    $2.1b arms deal: Saraki blames National Assembly

    •Senate seeks punishment for
    abandoned projects

    Senate President Abubakar Bukola Saraki said yesterday that the ongoing investigation and trial of former National Security Adviser (NSA) Mohammed Sambo Dasuki could have been prevented, if members of the National Assembly were alive to their oversight responsibility.

    He added that things would have been done differently, if only members of the National Assembly had taken their oversight functions conscientiously.

    The Senate President, who spoke after senators’ contributions on a motion on abandoned projects, noted that the rot being uncovered in the office of the former NSA would have been exposed if members of the National Assembly did not shy away from their oversight functions.

    He added that the mind-boggling revelations have brought the oversight function of the National Assembly to question.

    He sought immediate change of attitude by Senate committees on their oversight functions.

    Saraki said: “I think we have shied away today from one of the main reasons (abandoned projects) because some of the projects are duly appropriated in the budget and embarked upon by various ministries and agencies.

    “The motion whether we like it or not is a partial indictment on us in the National Assembly and we must accept that because these projects that we are talking about under Section 88 of the Constitution, 1(a) (b) it is our responsibility to oversight these projects to ensure they are not abandoned and to ensure that the funds appropriated are properly used.

    “So distinguished colleagues, I want us  in this Eighth Senate to ensure that our committees carry out proper oversight and we the leadership, we are going to ensure that we too find a way to make sure that committees do their work on oversight because truly that is the bottom line to this.

    “Even the current investigation going on in the National Security Adviser’s Office also whether we like it or not in a way too again, the oversight function of the National Assembly is brought to question.”

    Senator Suleiman Nazif (Bauchi North), who sponsored the motion in his lead debate, noted that there were about 11,886 abandoned projects that would cost an estimated N7.78 trillion to complete.

     

    Nazif observed that public infrastructure account for most of the abandoned projects and that those projects were generally awarded based on considerations given to friends, even when they did not possess any technical knowledge about the project.

     

  • NASS frustrating audit reports implementation – AGF

    The Auditor – General of the Federation (AGF), Mr. Samuel Ukura, on Wednesday said the National Assembly has not pass for implementation, 14 audit reports forwarded to the parliament since 1999.

    The audit reports exposed fraudulent practices in federal ministries, department and agencies.

    Ukura disclosed this at a retreat between his office and the Public Accounts Committees of both chambers of the National Assembly held in Abuja.

    The AGF noted that the reports were usually diligently produced only for them to be abandoned by the parliament whose duty it is to pass the audit reports for implementation.

    Ukura insisted that efforts of the President Muhammadu Buhari government to fight corruption would only succeed only if the National Assembly treats with passion, audit reports.

    The reports, he explained, contains the official financial transactions of various MDAs.

    The AGF canvassed the immediate passage of the Audit Bill which seeks to replace first audit law made in 1958.

    He said there was no doubt that the 1958 law had become obsolete and ought to be replaced.

     

  • National Assembly passes N574.532b supplementary budget

    National Assembly passes N574.532b supplementary budget

    • N521b cash for fuel subsidy

    The Senate yesterday passed the 2015 Supplementary Appropriation Bill of N574,532,726,857 billion

    The amount passed is N108, 895,800,000 higher than N465,636,926,857 billion submitted by President Muhammadu Buhari to the National Assembly for consideration and approval.

    The N108.895 billion was added by the Senate as additional fund meant to pay fuel subsidy claims between October to December 2015.

    The sum of N120billion was provided in the supplementary budget as arrears of fuel subsidy claims (carry over) from last year while the sum of N292 billion was provided for payment of claims of subsidy for January to September 2015.

    As indicated in the amendment to the 2015 Fiscal Framework, the Supplementary Budget is to be funded through borrowing.

    Before endorsing the Supplementary Budget for implementation by the Executive, the Senate went into a lengthy closed session to discuss and agree on the modalities to pass the fiscal document.

    The Senate had on November read for the first time 2015 Supplementary Appropriation Bill in the sum of N465,636,926,857 billion submitted to it by President Buhari.

    Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator Mohammed Danjuma Goje who presented the report of his committee for consideration and approval said the bill fundamentally sought to among other things, make available additional funds for the fight against insurgency in the Northeast and payment of outstanding subsidy claims in order to ameliorate the suffering of Nigerians.

    Goje noted that the provision for subsidy only covered last year’s arrears of N120.5 billion and the claims of January-September of N292 billion.

    He stressed the need to provide additional funding in the sum of N108,895,800,000 only for fuel subsidy for the months of October, November and December “to ensure that the 2016 budget takes off on a clean slate.”

    He said the issue of the additional subsidy claims came up in the course of clarification of the total subsidy need for the year ending 2015, by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources.

    Goje said the provision for Victim Support Fund (N5billion) in the Capital Supplementary should have been made in the Service Wide Vote since it is a Federal Government contribution to a fund managed by a Committee which is neither a minsitry, department or agency (MDA) of government.

    He also stressed the need to adjust the proposed amendment to the 2015 Fiscal Framework to capture the additional funding need of N108.895billion for fuel subsidy.

    The committee chair said:  “With the Supplementary Bill, including the additional funding need of fuel subsidy, the total aggregate expenditure for the fiscal year 2015 will be the sum of N4,493,363,957,158 in the 2015 Appropriation Act, the proposed sum of N465,636,926,857 and the additional funding need of N108,895,800,000 for fuel subsidy amounting to N5,067,896,684,015 trillion.

  • Dogara seeks better funding for IDPs in 2016 budget

    Dogara seeks better funding for IDPs in 2016 budget

    The Speaker of the House Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara has urged the Presidency to make adequate budgetary provision in 2016 for the resettlement of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the country.

    He also urged President Muhammadu Buhari to forward a bill to the National Assembly for the ratification of the Kampala Treaty on Internally Displaced Persons for ratification.

    The Speaker, made the call in his remarks at the sensitization workshop on the role of the parliament in addressing the challenges of IDPs in Nigeria, organized by the House Committee on Internally Displaced Persons, (IDPs) Refugees, and Initiatives on the Northern East Geopolitical Zone.

    It was also done in collaboration with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

    About N80 billion has been garnered by the Presidential Committee on Boko Haram Victims Support Fund headed by T. Y. Danjuma, according to the Deputy Speaker, Yussuff Lasun, who spoke at the recent 2015 Inter parliamentary Union held in Geneva, Switzerland.

    He said: “Permit me to place on record, the appreciation of the House of Representatives of the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, to end terrorism and return our IDPs back to their respective communities. In particular, the inclusion of N5 billion in the 2015 Supplementary Appropriation Bill just submitted to the National Assembly, for victims of terrorism for which IDPs, form a major part, shows responsiveness on the part of Mr. President.

    “Of course, we will expect even more support in the 2016 Budget Proposal. In this regard, we solicit the continued cooperation and support of our development partners, UN Agencies, Multilateral and Bilateral Partners, international and National NGOs, International Foundations, International Funds, Development Banking Institutions and Agencies, such as World Bank, IMF, African Development Bank, etc. The private sector organizations and Companies in Nigeria cannot be left out in this effort. We know they are doing a lot already. We thank them for their commitment and efforts so far while hoping that they will do more.

    “Today’s event offers the opportunity to restate the fact that there is no adequate legal framework for handling issues of internal displacement. Even though Nigeria at the Executive level has ratified the African Union Convention for the Protection and assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa (Kampala Convention), it has not yet been domesticated by the Legislature.

    “Therefore, permit me to call on Mr President to transmit to the National Assembly, an executive bill on this and indeed other relevant treaties for domestication.

    “However, as legislators, we have primary constitutional responsibility to make laws for the peace, order, and good government of Nigeria, and we shall in the exercise of this constitutional mandate soon be left with no option but to introduce a Bill to domesticate the all important Kampala Convention, if for whatever reason the executive is unable to send the required Bill.”

    Dogara said the House is currently processing a Bill to consolidate the anti-terrorism legislations into one document for ease of use and reference, and that the National Assembly has always supported all budgetary requests from the Executive to fight terrorism.

    Chairman of the House Committee on IDPs, Refugees and North East Initiative, Sani Zorro, in his speech noted that the over two million IDPs scattered across the country in different camps are faced with “substandard facilities, most of whom are women and orphaned children, with hunger and malnutrition as the common denominators that define their lives.”

    Statistics from the UNHCR showed that 68 percent of IDPs in Nigeria are children and there are so far about 60,000 births in the IDP campaigns across the country.

  • Buhari sends N465.64b supplementary budget to National Assembly

    Buhari sends N465.64b supplementary budget to National Assembly

    • Seeks revision of borrowing plan from N882.2b to N2.103 tr

    President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday submitted a N465,636,926,857 supplementary Appropriation Bill to the National Assembly for consideration and approval.

    In the bill, N460,636,926,857  is for additional recurrent (non debt). The balance of N5,000,000,000 is for contribution to the Development Fund for additional capital expenditure for the year ending on 31st day of December, 2015.

    Senate President Bukola Saraki read the Presidential Communication containing the breakdown of the supplementary budget on the floor of the Senate.

    Buhari said the supplementary budget became necessary because the implementation of the 2015 budget had been fraught with significant revenue shortfalls due to continuous decline in oil prices, oil production shortfall and non-oil revenue.

    He added that owing to the need to sustain current progress in addressing security challenges and other important obligations of the  government, the emergency expenditure items required urgent funding is projected at N465.64 billion

    Buhari said: “The Senate President you may wish to recall that the 2015 budget was predicated on oil production of 2.2782 million barrels per day; benchmark oil price of $53 per barrel and an exchange rate of N190 per dollar.

    “Based on these three assumptions the following fiscal budget was projected

    “FGN budget revenue (of) N3.452 trillion made (up) of share of oil and mineral revenue- N1.645 trillion share of non oil revenue N1.215 trillion, FGN Independent revenue-N489.3 billion

    “FGN aggregate expenditure was estimated at N4.485 trillion, comprising of statutory transfers-N354.34 billion, debt service-N953.6 billion, recurrent-non debt personnel cost-N1.828 trillion, recurrent non debt overhead -N791.2billion,capital expenditure N536. 6 billion.

    “However, the implementation of the FGN2015 budget has been fraught with significant revenue shortfalls due to continuous decline in oil price, oil production shortfall and  non oil revenue.

    “You may wish to further note that owing to the need to sustain the current progress in addressing the security challenges and other important obligations of government, emergency expenditure items required urgent funding is projected at N465.64 billion.

    “Operation Lafiya Dole and others-N39.65 billion, provision for prison rations, feeding for unity schools and others-N2 billion, provision for balance of severance gratuity and allowances of out gone and incoming legislators and legislative aides-N10.62 billion and emergency provision for subsidy claims-N413.36 billion which gave a total of N465.64 billion.”

    Buhari noted that “given this new level of expenditure and revenue constraint, the 2015 Budget which had a projected fiscal deficit of N1.041 trillion (or 1.09 per cent in GDP),  with the deficit largely financed by the domestic borrowing of N502.1 billion and foreign borrowing of N380.0 billion (total borrowing amounting to N882. 12 billion), calls for additional borrowing.

    “The expected deficit arising from the above is projected at N2.103 trillion (or 2.19 per cent of GDP) to be financed by additional borrowing of N1.601 trillion through the Debt Management Office,” he added.

    The president noted that he deemed it necessary to formally request the concurrence of the National Assembly to please consider and approve: an upward review of the fiscal deficit from 1.09 per cent of GDP to 2.19 per cent of GDP; upward revision of the new borrowing from N882.1 billion to N2.103 trillion; a new funding requirement to address security challenges and other important obligations with the sum of N465.64 billion.

  • National Assembly urges Buhari to send new PIB

    National Assembly urges Buhari to send new PIB

    THE National Assembly has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to as a matter of urgency transmit a new Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) to the parliament for consideration and passage into law.

    It described the PIB as one of the most important pieces of legislation that should be quickly considered and passed in the interest of the economy.

    Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, made the call yesterday at the opening ceremony of the National Assembly Dialogue on Economy, Security and Development in Abuja, organised by the National Institute for Legislative Studies (NILS).

    Dogara, who insisted that investment decisions in the petroleum sector could no longer wait, said the country could no longer afford to organise sector in such a manner that would not benefit the nation.

    The Speaker noted that it was important for Buhari, as minister of Petroleum, to transmit a new PIB to the National Assembly for consideration and passage into law.

    He said the immediate transmission of a new PIB to the National Assembly had become even more compelling because oil and gas still accounts for over 70 per cent of the country’s foreign exchange earnings in spite of rapid drop in oil prices.

    He noted that although efforts in the past to pass the bill failed, the Eighth National Assembly was ready to speedily pass the bill to reposition the petroleum industry.

    The speaker expressed the National Assembly’s readiness to partner with the executive arm of government to enact positive laws that would engender sustainable change.

    He also pledged that anti-corruption legislation and over-sight would be the major contribution of parliament to the “change” that had come to the country.

    Senate President Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on his part, noted that the dwindling government revenue was an opportunity for the country to look inwards   towards taking advantage of untapped economic opportunities  for national development.

    Saraki, who was represented by the Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, said that the National Assembly was determined to address factors that had led to poor governance in the country over the years.

    He noted that such factors as weak regulatory framework, obsolete laws and poor governance that had contributed to slowing down the country’s growth and development would be adequately addressed.

    The legislature, he said, would continue to contribute to an economic reform agenda aimed at expanding economic space for business, private sector involvement in infrastructure development as well as  consumers’ rights protection.

    He said that the National Assembly would pursue budget reform bill, ecological funds utilisation bill, Excess Crude Account Management Bill, Executive Bodies Independent Protection Law Bill, Federal Account Accountability and Transparency Act, National Assembly Budget Research Bill, Police Reform Bill, Justice Reform Bill, Criminal Procedure Law Amendment Bill and Whistle Blowers Protection Bill.

    Director General of NILS Dr. Ladi Hamalai said the institute felt it was time for major stakeholders to come together to chart a new course for the country.

    She noted that as part of its mandate, the institute would continue to organise similar forum, where stakeholders would come together to proffer solutions to the country’s challenges.

     

  • Saraki: we‘ll make National Assembly’s 2016 budget public

    Saraki: we‘ll make National Assembly’s 2016 budget public

    Senate President Bukola Saraki has promised that the National Assembly will make public, the details of its next year’s budget breakdown.

    He spoke in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Social Media, Mr. Bamikole Omishore, in Abuja.

    Saraki said from next year, the citizens would not have to rely on ‘’falsehood they received from some online media”.

    The development, he said, was in fulfillment of his inaugural promise and part of efforts to satisfy the curiosity of some Nigerians, who had been clamouring that the budget should be made public.

    The statement also reads in part: “By the time we come into the 2016 budget, at the end of the year, it will be clearer because people just see one item line.

    “But that is not going to happen now; you will see what goes to the Senate and what goes to the House of Representatives.

    “You are going to see what goes to the management, what goes to the Legislative Institute and we are going to make all these open and clear.

    “That is part of the openness we promised.”

    He noted that at his inauguration on June 9, he promised that there would be change from impunity and elite arrogance to a life of accountability and respect for every citizen.

    The National Assembly must, therefore, justify the privilege of representation conferred on it by the people, Saraki said.

    “As the President of the Eighth Senate and Chairman of the National Assembly, I shall be guided by the enormity of the responsibilities that this moment imposes on all of us,’’ he said.

    Saraki restated his commitment to being accessible to the citizens on the dealings of the Senate, saying that he understood the expectations of Nigerians.