SGF, Finance, Budget ministers summoned
From Fred Itua, Abuja
There was a mild drama on the floor of the Senate yesterday, over claims that the N60 billion earmarked for constituency projects in the 2016 Appropriation Act may not be released.
This followed a motion by Matthew Urhoghide from Edo State, who he quoted a newspaper publication of an interview granted by the Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Babachir David Lawal in which he said some projects in the 2016 budget, including constituency projects would not be fully implemented as a result of lack of funds.
Urhoghide said the remarks were rude and called on his colleagues to stand up and demand for what rightfully belonged to them.
But, Deputy Leader of the Senate, Bala Na’Allah, called for caution, saying since the SGF was not the Minister of Finance or Budget, his remarks should be disregarded.
“I wish to state that this Senate will be doing a lot of good to democratic process by not going ahead with this proposal. It is all right to recognize some certain issues that are very fundamental. This Senate is aware that SGF is not the Finance Minister. This Senate is equally aware that he is not the Minister of Budget,” he said.
Deputy Minority Whip, Biodun Olujimi, however, carpeted the SGF who he accused of meddling in the affairs of an independent arm of government.
Clearing the air on the next line of action the Senate should take, Committee chairman on Appropriation, Danjuma Goje, said the Ministers of Finance and Budget and National Planning have been invited
“They are appearing before the Appropriations on Thursday personally, without any representation. But this is without prejudice to the SGF coming before the Senate to explain his own part of the story. We can now put everything together and have a clear view,” he said.
In his final remarks, the Senate President, Saraki mandated three committees to quiz the SGF and report back to the Senate before end of the week.
“This has come under privilege and because it touches on budget and financial matters, it cannot just be left to Ethics and Privileges Committee. The Committee on both Finance and Appropriation should be involved. We will begin to have no jobs for our committees if we are bringing everything to plenary. I believe that the Committees of Ethics, Finance and Appropriations are strong enough and are as good as plenary.
“The prayer is that the SGF should come before those three committees to explain the comments. It should be led by Chairman, Appropriations. Committees on Ethics and Privileges in colloboration with Finance should be involved and report back by the end of the week,” he said.