By Chibuike Nwabuko
Abuja (Sundiata Post) – Senate has reacted to the issues raised by President Muhammadu Buhari on the 2018 Appropriations while signing it into law, saying that they are in agreement with the statement issued by the House of Representatives to the effect that the national assembly will give a detailed response to the issued raised.
The Senate disclosed this in a statement signed by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, sent to Sundiata Post.
Sundiata Post recalls that President Buhari President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, while signing the Appropriation Bill into law accused the National Assembly of padding the budget.
Buhari said that the federal lawmakers made reductions amounting to N347 billion in the allocations to 4,700 projects submitted to them for consideration and inserted 6,403 “alien” projects amounting to N578 billion.
The president said he was compelled to sign the budget in order not to keep the economy continuously on standstill.
The senate’s statement reads in full:
The Senate has seen the statement issued by our sister chamber, the House of Representatives, in response to the issues raised by President Muhammadu Buhari on the 2018 Appropriations while signing it into law earlier today, and we totally agree with the position stated therein.
It should also be noted that the leadership of both chambers have directed the chairmen of our committees on appropriations to provide item by item, detail explanations on all points raised by the President for the benefit of members of the public. They will therefore address a press conference on Friday, June 22nd, 2018.
It should however be noted that the action of the National Assembly while working on the budget was informed by the provision of the constitution on the need for inclusion, balance and the fact that the first responsibility of government is the security and welfare of all citizens.
Signed
Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi
Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Publicity