By Abdulfatah Babatunde
Lagos – The Muslim Congress (TMC) has challenged Senators to brace up for effective legislative business so that people can reap the dividends of democracy.
The Chairman of the TMC Committee on Social Mobility, the Economy & Politics, Dr Luqman AbdurRaheem, stated at the presentation of the congress’ sixth edition “State of The Nation Address’’ on Monday in Lagos.
AbdurRaheem, who is a Senior Lecturer, Centre for Entrepreneurship Development Centre, Yaba College of Technology, said the members of the upper chambers should reduce the constant bickering with the executive.
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“The National Assembly really needs a lot of work to do if the people who voted them into power are to reap the dividends of democracy.
“This is because the anti-corruption bills sent by the executive to the senate since 2015 is yet to be deliberated upon.
“The 2017 budget is still hanging in the balance despite the fact that the 2016 budget will cease to be operational by May.
“More importantly too, the President (Muhammadu Buhari) wrote to Nigerians, Economic Recovery and Growth Plan; this require budgeting and of course appropriation.
“There is need for the National Assembly to be responsible and responsive to the assignment that is before them.
“There is also the issue of the 29 billion dollar loan, which is yet to be either approved or rejected. The inherited Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) is also a long way from being passed.
“These and many other issues that are germane to the progress and development of the nation are what should agitate the minds of our legislators.
“The legislators would do well to realise that the quality of legislative work is as well important if Nigeria is to surmount the challenges of recession and under-development.
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According to him, most Nigerians do not expect the senate to summon virtually every Nigerian that differs with it.
He noted that the issue of unpaid import duty by the Senate, as raised by the Comptroller-General of Customs, was not properly handled.
“The senate should have first deliberated the issue at stake to determine its merit or otherwise, before venturing into the issue of uniform wearing by the Customs boss.’’
On the nominees sent by the Independent national Electoral Commission (INEC) to the National Assembly for consideration, the chairman said the legislature did not need to delay the confirmation.
“This is because the agency has a lot of work to do, having released the schedule for the 2019 elections.
“The earlier those appointments are confirmed and they set to work, the better is it for everyone since the quality of the elections also plays a huge part in the quality of the leaders that emerge.
“There is also no justifiable connection between the rejection of Ibrahim Magu as chairman of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) and the delay in the confirmation of the INEC nominees.’’
He said that the senators should, therefore, sit up and perform the functions they are being paid to do.
“The suspension of former Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, for six months does not seem to have struck the right chord with many members of the public.
“What he brought up were matters of public concern regarding the allegation of an armoured SUV bought by the senate, for which adequate customs duty was not paid.
“And the allegation that Sen. Dino Melaye did not graduate from Ahmadu Bello University as claimed.
“We urge the National Assembly to please end its face-off with the executive in order that the issue of governance will be on the front burner.’’
