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Budget: Senate Threatens MDAs With zero Allocation Over Non-appearance

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  • Budget: Senate Threatens MDAs With zero Allocation Over Non-appearance

The Senate on Wednesday warned that any Federal Government Ministry, Department and Agency that failed to appear before its relevant standing committees to defend its budget estimates would get zero allocation this fiscal year.

The lawmakers, therefore, adjourned plenary to next week Tuesday, asking the MDAs to come for budget defence latest by Friday.

The Senate also stated its commitment to passing the 2017 Appropriation Bill by the second week of March.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Sabi Abdullahi, while addressing journalists after the plenary on Wednesday, explained that the lawmakers were forced to create additional days for the budget defence.

He said there was a meeting between the leadership of the Senate and chairmen of committees to do an appraisal of the defence sessions.

Abdullahi said, “We are committed to ensuring that by the second week of March, we are done with the 2017 appropriation. This explains why we also have to, having considered the progress report from chairmen of committees, suspend plenary today so that the committees can go back and complete their assignments so that by next week, the Appropriations Committee can begin to collect reports from the various committees.

“Suffice to say here that the Senate is calling on all the MDAs that are joking; we call it joking because the issue of appropriation should be the most important assignment of any MDA; that it is a bit worrisome that some MDAs choose not to appear or when to appear.

“So, the Senate is giving them this opportunity. If you are out there and you still have issues or need to provide information or clarification to your committee, you better do that. Otherwise, this time round, the Senate is committed to taking legislative action and will definitely bring its full force of legislative action to bear on people who have been found to be defaulting.”

When asked what the Senate would do to errant MDAs, Abdullahi replied, “The power to appropriate is with the National Assembly. The essence of meeting with the committees is to defend why you want funds to be released to you to carry out your duties.

“If you consider it as unimportant, what we will do is to simply allow your staff members enjoy their salaries. But with respect to capital (expenditure), definitely, if you don’t come to defend it, we will definitely take it out and give it to those who are serious. That means you will be having zero allocation. It is very clear.”

The Majority Leader, Senator Ahmad Lawan, had earlier in the plenary moved a motion to step down the items on the order paper for the day, lamenting that despite going into a three-week recess for budget defence, the response from the executive had been poor.

He recalled that the issues frustrating the passage of the 2017 Appropriation Bill were discussed at a meeting the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, held with leaders and chairmen of Senate committees on Tuesday.

He, therefore, asked that the plenary be adjourned to allow lawmakers attend to budget matters for the rest of the day.

Seconding the motion, the Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio, asked for more days “in order for us to tidy up this budget and meet the aspiration of Nigerians by ensuring an expeditious passage of the budget as earlier planned by these hallowed chambers.”

Is the CEO/Founder of Investors King Limited. A proven foreign exchange research analyst and a published author on Yahoo Finance, Businessinsider, Nasdaq, Entrepreneur.com, Investorplace, and many more. He has over two decades of experience in global financial markets.

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Senate Suspends Senator Abdul Ningi for 3 Months Over Budget Padding Allegations

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Abdul-Ahmed-Ningi

The Senate has announced the suspension of Senator Abdul Ningi for three months following his allegations of budget padding to the tune of N3.7 trillion in the 2024 budget.

Ningi, who represents Bauchi Central and chairs the Senate Committee on Population, had made the claims in a recent interview with the Hausa service of the BBC.

During a plenary session, Senator Olamilekan Adeola, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, raised a motion to address Ningi’s allegations, citing the urgent need to address what he termed as “false allegations.”

The transcript of Ningi’s interview was read on the Senate floor, prompting deliberation on the appropriate action to take.

Initially, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim proposed a 12-month suspension for Ningi, but Senator Chris Ekpeyong moved to reduce it to six months.

Eventually, Senator Garba Maidoki amended the motion further, suggesting a three-month suspension.

The amended motion was put to a voice vote, and Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the decision to suspend Ningi for three months.

Following the ruling, Ningi was escorted out of the Senate chamber by the Sergeants-at-arms.

The suspension comes amidst division within the Senate over Ningi’s claims, with some senators disowning his allegations and calling for a thorough investigation.

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Ekiti Governor Unveils Multi-Billion Naira Relief Programmes Amid Economic Crisis

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Biodun Oyebanji

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, has announced a comprehensive relief package aimed at alleviating the hardship faced by the people of the state.

The relief programs encompass various sectors to cushion the impact of the economic downturn.

One of the key initiatives entails clearing salary arrears amounting to over N2.7 billion owed to both State and Local Government workers.

This move signifies the government’s commitment to addressing the financial burdens faced by its workforce.

Furthermore, Governor Oyebanji has approved a substantial increase of N600 million per month in the subvention of autonomous institutions, including the Judiciary and tertiary institutions.

This augmentation is intended to enable these institutions to implement wage awards in alignment with State and Local Government workers’ salaries.

In addition to addressing salary arrears, the relief programs extend to pensioners, with the approval of payments totaling N1.5 billion for two months’ pension arrears.

Moreover, an increase in the monthly gratuity payment to state pensioners and local government pensioners will provide additional financial support, totaling N200 million monthly.

The relief initiatives also encompass agricultural and small-scale business sectors.

The allocation of funds for food production and livestock transformation projects underscores the government’s commitment to enhancing food security and economic sustainability at the grassroots level.

Governor Oyebanji emphasized that these relief programs are part of the state’s concerted efforts to mitigate the adverse effects of the economic downturn and foster shared prosperity.

The comprehensive nature of the initiatives reflects a proactive approach towards addressing the challenges faced by Ekiti State residents.

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President Tinubu Orders Immediate Settlement of N342m Electricity Bill for Presidential Villa

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President Bola Tinubu has directed the prompt settlement of a N342 million outstanding electricity bill owed by the Presidential Villa to the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC).

This move comes in response to the reconciliation of accounts between the State House Management and the AEDC.

The AEDC had earlier threatened to disconnect electricity services to the Presidential Villa and 86 Federal Government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) over a total outstanding debt of N47.20 billion as of December 2023.

Contrary to the initial claim by the AEDC that the State House owed N923 million in electricity bills, the Presidency clarified that the actual outstanding amount is N342.35 million.

This discrepancy underscores the importance of accurate accounting and reconciliation between entities.

In a statement signed by President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency affirmed the commitment to settle the debt promptly.

Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila assured that the debt would be paid to the AEDC before the end of the week.

The directive from the Presidency extends beyond the State House, as Gbajabiamila urged other MDAs to reconcile their accounts with the AEDC and settle their outstanding electricity bills.

The AEDC, on its part, issued a 10-day notice to the affected government agencies to settle their debts or face disconnection.

This development highlights the importance of financial accountability and responsible management of public utilities.

It also underscores the necessity for government entities to fulfill their financial obligations to service providers promptly, ensuring uninterrupted services and avoiding potential disruptions.

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