From Kenneth Udeh, Abuja
A Bill seeking to grant legal backing to the provision of Constituency and other special Projects in the Annual Budget of the Federation by a minimum of 20% failed to pass through second reading at the Senate on Thursday.
Though the bill sponsored by Senator Sen. Hussaini, Babangida Uba (Jigawa North West) scaled first reading when it was first introduced on July 20th , it however failed to pass through second reading as the Lawmakers voted against the bill after exhaustive deliberations as they cited constitutional hiccups.
Currently some Lawmakers at the Federal and state levels implement constituency projects they however have to lobby and negotiate with heads of Ministries and Agencies for their projects to be inserted in the Annual Budget for execution in their various communities.
At the Senate Plenary presided by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the Bill’s sponsor attempted to convince his colleagues to support the bill via lead debate. Hussaini told the Senate the bill is also intended to correct the top-bottom approach of governance and replace it with the bottom – top approach.
Statistics provided by Hussaini revealed that so far seventy (70%) percent of Nigerians live in the rural areas and the intention of the bill is to ensure that good governance is delivered to these crucial areas.
He defined constituency Projects as infrastructure needs that have been identified, designed, articulated and proposed by Members of the National Assembly (NASS) based on the need-assessment of their respective Constituencies, for possible accommodation in the Annual Appropriation Act(budget) and implementation by the Executive through its various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
Hussaini asked his colleagues to support his bill;
“Instead of vilifying the National Assembly on the constituency project, people should advocate for an institutional framework for the implementation of the constituency projects as it is the case in Kenya. This Bill therefore is an attempt at providing both institutional and legislative framework for the operation of constituency projects in Nigeria thereby making it part of our National Budget.
“constituency projects in recent times are one of the ways to attract federal presence to our people. If not for these projects, the majority of federal constituencies would not have a single federal project due to the lopsided nature of project allocation in the budget.
Another point raised by the Senator was that although the Local Government council has the responsibility of the development of local communities and the Federal Government has the overall responsibility of providing federal presence in these areas through developmental projects, however there is no way this can be achieved without the input of the parliamentarians who are the representatives of the people at the federal level.
Convincing his colleagues further in his lead debate hinted that if eventually passed projects under the Act shall be community based in order to ensure that the prospective benefits are available to a widespread cross-section of the inhabitants of a particular area.
He listed other advantages of the bill; “Any funding under this Act shall be for a complete project or a defined phase of a project and may include the acquisition of land and buildings.
“All projects shall be projects as defined under this Act when passed and may include costs related to feasibility studies, planning and design or other technical input for the project but shall not include recurrent costs of a facility. ” Projects may include the acquisition of vehicles, machinery and other equipment for the constituency.
Giving more reasons why the Senate should pass the bill Hussaini stressed that since the inception of the constituency project in Nigeria there have been misconceptions, misinterpretations and judgment of the constituency project administration. According to him, if the constituency project is institutionalized the hallowed chambers will no longer be painted in bad light.
If the bill is passed it will grant legal powers to the Senate to execute projects rather than merely identifying the needs of the constituents and recommending the same to the Executive during budgeting.
He said; “Ultimately, they have no direct control over their implementation; hence the award, financing and supervision of constituency projects are the preserve of appropriate agencies other than the National Assembly.
Supporting the bill Senator Sadiq Umar (Kwara North) urged his colleagues to grant the bill serious consideration. He posited that constituency projects are mostly needed in the rural areas and the Legislators are closer to the grassroots and were in the best position to identify and implement the projects.
He said; “Constituency Projects is one the most popular projects in Nigeria, constituency projects that help the hinterlands and remote parts of villages to feel the impact of democracy. The bill is apt and should be taken seriously.
The bill also received the support of Senator Victor Umeh (Anambra Central). The Senator explained that the bill is popular due to the pressure faced by Senators at their constituency because the constituents expect Senators to equate executive duties. Umeh however stated that the proposed law will affect the Constitution adding that it has constitutional bottle necks.
Another Senator who backed the bill was former Senate President Ahmed Lawan who argued that after its passage the National Assembly should dialogue with the Federal Government.
Lawan rallied the Senate; “What we need to do though we already have the powers is for the National Assembly to look at what is reasonable and significant. How does each constituency benefit equally? It is worthwhile. Let’s have the bill passed and dialogue with the Federal Government to have what we need in our Senatorial Districts.
However, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin opposed the bill saying that its passage would breed bad blood between the executive and the Legislative Arms of government. He said the Senate is already invested with the powers to execute constituency projects, Barau rather suggested for negotiation between the Presidency and the National Assembly for the implementation of constituency projects.
He said; “What is needed here has been done in 2017 which is for the National Assembly to negotiate with the Executive. As we speak the current President ( Asiwaju Bola Tinubu) has given 100% approval for Budget implementation. It depends on the attitude of the President. I don’t think we need this bill. What we need to do is to sit with the Presidency. All aspects of the budget need negotiation.
The rationale that the Bill’s passage would subject the Senate to ridicule was raised by Danjuma Goje (Gombe Central). Goje in his disagreement maintained that the bill is a form of begging arguing that the Senate doesn’t need to do any law to administer good governance to Nigerians. ” I don’t think this bill is necessary. The Senate does not need any Act to discharge their duties as lawmakers”, Goje stated.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio put the bill to a voice vote in which the majority of the Senators rejected it via voice votes. Despite its rejection all the Senators commended the sponsor.