News Post

The Senate having exhaustively debated the 2016 Appropriation Bill in four legislative days has finally passed it for second reading. The budget captioned “A Bill for an Act to authorize the issue from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation the total sum of N6, 077, 680, 000, 000 :00 (Six Trillion, Seventy Seven Billion, Six Hundred and Eighty Million Naira) only, of which N351, 370, 000, 000 :00 (Three Hundred and Fifty One Billion, Three Hundred and Seventy Million Naira) only is for Statutory Transfers, N1, 475, 320, 000, 000 :00 (One Trillion, Four Hundred and Seventy Five Billion, Three Hundred and Twenty Million Naira) only is for Debt Service, N2, 648, 600, 000, 000 : 00 (Two Trillion, Six Hundred and Forty Eight Billion, Six Hundred Million) only is for Recurrent (Non-Debt) Expenditure, while the sum of N1, 845, 540, 000, 000 : 00 (One Trillion, Eight Hundred Forty Five Billion, Five Hundred and Forty Million Naira) only inclusive of N157, 150, 000, 000 : 00 (One Hundred and Fifty Seven Billion, One Hundred and Fifty Million) only Capital Expenditure in Statutory Transfer and N86, 000, 000, 000 : 00 (Eight Six Billion Naira) only, as Interest on Capital Loans is for contribution to the Development Fund for Capital Expenditure for the year ending on the 31st December, 2016 (S.B.212)” sailed through to the next legislative stage after thorough deliberations on the estimates.

Distinguished Senators that bore their minds on the day’s debate of the 2016 Appropriation Bill include Foster Ogula, Abdullahi Adamu, Bala Ibn Na’Allah, Sulaiman Nazif, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Duro Fashayi, Tijani Yahaya Kaura, Mathew Urhoghide and the Senate President, Bukola Saraki who noted that the 2016 budget is a major departure from the past. He commended the Executive for the upward review of allocation to capital project up to 30 per cent of total budget and tasked the government on judicious utilization of all money allocated. 

Sen. Saraki instructed law-makers in the course of legislative scrutiny to look for ways of ensuring equitable allocation of capital projects across the six geo-political zones of the country; he urged Senators to avoid the unnecessary blame game and work hard for the actualization and successful implementation of the budget. He asserted that the 2016 fiscal framework dwelt so much on fighting corruption, therefore, the Anti-Graft Agencies should be adequately funded to effectively and efficiently execute their constitutional mandate. Sen. Saraki called on the law-makers to play their legislative role by critically scrutinizing the budget and ensure equitable distribution of projects.

The Senate President noted that the Committees have a lot of work to carry out on the budget and issued a warning advice that any allegation of inducement would be properly investigated and if found culpable, the law will take its course. He expressed hope that Bill would be passed into law by February. The Bill, having scaled second reading has been referred to the Senate Committee on Appropriation for further legislative inputs to report back on 24th February, 2016.

Similarly, the Red Chamber has considered and passed a Motion on the “Demise of His Majesty, Orchivirigh, Alfred Akawe Torkula, Tor Tiv IV, the Paramount Ruler of the Tiv Nation. He died on 21st of November, 2015 at the age of 71 years. The Motion was sponsored by Sen. Barnabas Gemade; and ultimately sailed through with three prayers stated below:

1) Observe a minute silence in honour of the late Tor Tiv, HRM, Orchivirigh, Dr. Alfred Akawe Torkula, Begha U Tiv (The Lion of the Tiv Nation).

2) Send a high powered delegation to condole the family, the Tiv Nation, the People and Government of Benue State. The delegation would be led by Senate Deputy Majority Leader, Sen. Bala Ibn Na’Allah.

3) Urge the Federal Government of Nigeria and Benue State Government to immortalize this great achiever, peace lover and great departed citizen of the world by naming a National and State monument after him as a mark of honour.

Also, the Senate has received an Executive Communication from President, Muhammadu Buhari presenting two new Bills for legislation. The Bills are part of the reform process of the present administration’s fight against corruption and money laundering targeted at fortifying and strengthening the Anti-Graft Agencies to efficiently and judiciously fight the menace. The two legislation include:

1) Money Laundering and Prohibition Bill, 2016.

2) Mutual Legal Assistance Bill, 2016.