The Nigerian Senate, on Tuesday, dumped President
Muhammadu Buhari’s 2016-2018 External
Borrowing Rolling Plan request of N29.96 billion.
The request was rejected immediately the Senate
convened for the day’s business. Leader of the
Senate, Senator Ali Ndume moved a motion that the
request be considered.
He was supported by the Deputy Minority Leader of
the Senate, Senator Emmanuel Bwacha. President of
the Senate, Bukola Saraki thereafter, put the
question forward whether or not the request should
be debated.
When it was put to a voice vote, almost every
Senator who was present, shouted ‘nay’. Not
certain, Saraki again called for another voice vote.
Lawmakers again thundered ‘nay’. Saraki thereafter
ruled in favour of those who voted against the loan
request.
put compliant in writing to Buhari
A lawmaker who spoke to Ripples Nigeria, explained
why the request was rejected: “The President in the
letter said there was an attachment containing the
breakdown of the external loan request. But there is
no attachment. President Buhari did not attach the
breakdown. There is no way we can consider such a
request.
“Secondly, the president has not sent Federal
Government’s 2016-2018 borrowing plan to the
Senate. That ought to have been sent first for
consideration and passage before this request. If we
consider this request, how do we do that? These are
the obvious reasons. There is no political undertone
here.”
Last week Tuesday, President Buhari forwarded a
request to both chambers of the National Assembly
to approve his request to borrow $29.96 billion to
finance projects cut across all sectors with special
emphasis on infrastructure, agriculture, health,
education, water supply, growth and employment
generation, poverty reduction through safety net
programmes and governance, as well as financial
management reforms.
By Ehisuan Odia….
Muhammadu Buhari’s 2016-2018 External
Borrowing Rolling Plan request of N29.96 billion.
The request was rejected immediately the Senate
convened for the day’s business. Leader of the
Senate, Senator Ali Ndume moved a motion that the
request be considered.
He was supported by the Deputy Minority Leader of
the Senate, Senator Emmanuel Bwacha. President of
the Senate, Bukola Saraki thereafter, put the
question forward whether or not the request should
be debated.
When it was put to a voice vote, almost every
Senator who was present, shouted ‘nay’. Not
certain, Saraki again called for another voice vote.
Lawmakers again thundered ‘nay’. Saraki thereafter
ruled in favour of those who voted against the loan
request.
put compliant in writing to Buhari
A lawmaker who spoke to Ripples Nigeria, explained
why the request was rejected: “The President in the
letter said there was an attachment containing the
breakdown of the external loan request. But there is
no attachment. President Buhari did not attach the
breakdown. There is no way we can consider such a
request.
“Secondly, the president has not sent Federal
Government’s 2016-2018 borrowing plan to the
Senate. That ought to have been sent first for
consideration and passage before this request. If we
consider this request, how do we do that? These are
the obvious reasons. There is no political undertone
here.”
Last week Tuesday, President Buhari forwarded a
request to both chambers of the National Assembly
to approve his request to borrow $29.96 billion to
finance projects cut across all sectors with special
emphasis on infrastructure, agriculture, health,
education, water supply, growth and employment
generation, poverty reduction through safety net
programmes and governance, as well as financial
management reforms.
By Ehisuan Odia….
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