We’ll use N70bn to buy, table, chairs, electronics, repairs — Senate

On Sunday, the Senate defended the National Assembly's allocation of N70 billion from the over N80 billion supplementary budget for the remainder of the year.

The Senate explained that the money would be used to purchase chairs, tables, electronics, and make necessary repairs to the National Assembly Complex.

In addition, the Senate stated that the passage of the Supplemental Appropriations Act was part of the Senate's constitutional obligation to provide funding for the Federal Government's palliative care for the Nigerian public and other national demands.

On Sunday, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, released a statement containing the Senate's response to the alleged inflation of the Supplemental Budget, as reported in some media outlets. The statement was made available to journalists in Abuja.

"After the passage of the Supplemental Budget to accommodate funding for the Federal Government's Palliative for the Nigerian public, among other urgent national demands, the socio-political space has been flooded with spurious, inaccurate, and irreverent misinterpretations," the statement reads.

"Suffice it to state that passage is a constitutional requirement of the Senate.

"Therefore, we do not desire to join the mischief and misrepresentation that a portion of the recently passed Amendment Act that appropriated N70 billion was a 'gift' to the Legislators.

"A visit to the Suites, offices, and general structures of the National Assembly complex would reveal a yawning and an urgent need for repair.

"Many Senators were required to bring their own chairs, tables, and electronic equipment, and in many cases make various modifications.

"The allocation that has been so hotly debated will not be paid to any legislator.

This will be handled by the Bureaucracy of the National Assembly.

"It is also important to observe that the National Assembly complex houses more than just legislators.

"There are tens of thousands of employees and service providers whose workplaces require a facelift and/or additional equipment.

"Since the Assembly Complex is not owned by Legislators, who are solely political migrants, this allocation cannot be considered a consolation to the Legislators by anyone.

"The alleged padding of the palliative Budget by the National Assembly exists only in the imaginations of those who seek to discredit the 10th Assembly."

"There is no such thing as padding, as some misinformed media outlets assert."

"We wish to urge our fellow citizens to view the National Assembly as partners in Nigeria's advancement.

"The National Assembly is the soul of democracy, and the 10th Senate will join hands with other branches of government and forward-thinking Nigerians to sing new songs of progress, development, safety, and overall economic recovery and growth."

Source: The Eagle online