From Fred Itua, Abuja
Senators drawn from the North-east were sharply divided yesterday on where the headquarters of the proposed North-east Development Commission should be located.
The inability of the lawmakers to reach an agreement on the source of funding was another issue that twarted the passage of the Bill aimed at rehabilitating the North-east ravaged by Boko Haram.
The disagreement forced the Senate to suspend passage of the bill seeking its establishment.
Senator Ali Wakili from Bauchi South stirred controversy when in his contribution to the debate, he suggested that the commission be sited in Bauchi, as against the recommendation of the Senate Committee on Special Duties, which proposed Abuja.
Wakil’s position prompted Baba Kaba Garbai from Borno Central to canvass for its siting in Maiduguri.
But this, again, was punctured by Usman Narada who suggested that the headquarters should be in Gombe.
However, Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, who represents Borno South, frowned at the disagreement saying it was untidy to bring such a matter to the floor when they ought to have resolved it at the caucus level.
The Senators could not agree on the commission’s source of funding as the initial proposal that 15 per cent of federal allocation to every state of the region be deducted at source for its funding was dropped.
Another proposal that 50 per cent of ecological fund meant for each of the six North-east states should be deducted at source for the funding was also rejected by the committee.
Following continued disagreement over the funding and location, the clause by clause consideration of the bill could not be concluded.
Therefore, the Senate stood down the planned passage of the bill and consequently referred it back to its committee on Special Duties to resolve the controversy and come up with acceptable proposals on the two issues.
Senate President, Bukola Saraki, said the Senate had reached a consensus on 24 of the 26 clauses of the bill, observing that its passage was only stalled by the inability to reach a consensus on the two clauses.