Today In Plenary: Senate Proceedings for today Thursday January 21, 2016.

The Senate resumed its debate on the‪ 2016 Budget‬ after approving votes and proceedings of Wednesday 20th January 2016.

Below is the list of Senator that debated on the Appropriation Bill.

Senator Abubakar Kyari (Borno North Senatorial District):Senator Kyari started by saying the  Budget has provisions for youth employment which is the most important thing.

He said "We have a committed Budget and a committed President of the Federal Republic who for the first time came to present the Budget himself. 

"The Senator also added that Nigeria was a mess for the past 16 Years but this time, majority of Nigerians will get their share from the Nat'l resources.

Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi (Niger North Senatorial District):Senator Aliyu Sabi started by saying " Budget is very innovative, bold and courageous. 

It is UNIQUE!"Senator Sabi further said the ATM of fraud will end in this#2016Budget and there is no doubt that Nigerians will be the ones to benefit from this Budget; it is indeed a Budget of change.

Senator Biodun Olujimi (Ekiti South Senatorial District):Senator Olujimi started by pointing out the fact that whatever that emanates from the #2016Budget as criticism is meant to strengthen our country.

She also pointed out that there is nothing in the Budget that suggests repayment of loans.

Senator Olujimi concluded saying; the Budget has serious petitions so it is not a Budget of change yet, there is need for retrospect.

Senator Gbolahan Dada (Ogun West Senatorial District):Senator Dada who spoke on borrowing used the US as an example, stating that even the largest country in terms of economy still borrows.

Senator Dada concluded saying he has no fear on the issue of debt and he believes the #2016Budget is right for the country.

Senator Dino Melaye (Kogi West Senatorial District):Senator Dino Melaye started by saying a big "God bless you" to Nigerian President for giving Nigerian Senate for the first time a 'Bully Budget'.

Senator Dino Melaye said instead of funding celestial spiritual affairs, this government has decided to feed kids in schools, this government has also decided that every unemployed youth will go home with 5,000 Naira each every month.

He said "This government is a departure from the old to the new; an exit from the time Nigerians went home with nothing."

Senator Dino Melaye says there is nothing wrong with borrowing, pointing out that US is the largest borrowing country in the world. 

Senator Dino Melaye also said borrowing is not the issue, but how the monies are spent. 

And borrowing this time will be justified.He said "2.1BN was stolen from the Foreign Reserves released by GEJ. 

This constitutes 15% of foreign reserves If nothing was stolen there wouldn't be need for borrowing."

Senator Dino Melaye then concluded by saying when he was in PDP Nigeria he was blind and now in APC Nigeria he can see.

Senator Baba Kaka Bashir:Senator Bashir started by saying for the past 6 Years, Borno has been a center of insurgency which has caused increase in poverty and so it’s high time we wore our thinking caps in order to come up with policies to empower our people.

Senate Chief Whip, Senator Olusola Adeyeye (Osun Central):

Senator Adeyeye said National Assembly Nigeria has given itself too short a time to do justice to the Budget. 

He then went on to make an example with the U.S, he says Budget is submitted to the congress 8 Months before the approval.

Senator Adeyeye then announced that he will sponsor a Bill to mandate all Nigerian Presidents to submit budget at an appropriate time.Senator Adeyeye explained the 115BN allocated to National Assembly Nigeria, saying it represents only 1.8% of the whole Budget. 

That the 115BN will not be shared by Senators and Honorables; National Assembly Nigeria has a Staff Role as big as ministries.

Senator Adeyeye also said it is not fair to portray the impression that it is because of the National Assembly Nigeria that things are wrong.

On the Budget Senator Adeyeye pointing out that in the U.S, there are 3 research departments that independently conduct researches on Budget and so the National Institute of Legislative Studies must be composed with professionals in Economics for the purpose of scrutinizing Budgets.

Senator Adeyeye said $3.8TRN (54%) of the Annual Budget of the U.S comes from tax, suggesting that we must expand our taxation. 

He said if we want to move this country forward, we must begin to tax SIN behaviors. He says "Beat your wife, pay heavily".

He also pointed out that parking at Airports all over the world isn't free, so fees should be enforced in Nigerian Airports per hour.

Senator Adeyeye said we must sit down and decide areas of priorityfor this country.

He said; "There is no greater infrastructure in any country than the minds of the young ones...allocation for education is too small."

Adeyeye then concluded saying Judges, Senators & Ministers use extravagant cars. 

We must go back to 'Operation Low Profile' of Peugeot 504 cars.

Senator Binta Masi Garba (Adamawa North Senatorial District):

Senator Garba Binta took the floor to speak on Budget. 

She spoke majorly on the plight of victims of insurgency and budget allocation on security.

Senator Ubali Shittu (Jigawa North-East Senatorial District):

Senator Ubali Shittu spoke on equitable distribution of resources & also cautions the media to exercise restraints in information dissemination.Senator Akpan Bassey (Akwa-Ibom North-East):Senator Bassey said ordinarily he wouldn't want to contribute on the Budget but just that he has to speak the mind of his people.

Senator Bassey Akpan said " I believe the government of the day has gone to the market"As Senator Bassey Akpan went into details of the Budget, Senate Leader Ali Ndume now raises a Point of Order.

Senate Leader Ndume's Point of Order was that Senators are not to go into the detailed estimates of the Budget at this 2nd Reading.

Senate Leader Ndume speaking said "you are the minority and not the opposition. 

You are to proffer solutions."Senate President Bukola Saraki sustained Senate Leader Ndume's Point of Order, asking Senator Bassey to remain on track.

Senator Bassey Akpan concluded saying he is on track and he is speaking on behalf of Nigerians.

Senator David Umaru (Niger East Senatorial District):Senator David Umaru urged Distinguished Senators to look inward, stating that Nigeria cannot rely on oil any longer.

Pointing out as he concluded that the proposed non-oil revenues in the Budget should be given priority.

Senate President Bukola Saraki then commended all Distinguished Senators who spoke on the Budget today, said the debate continues next week.

Senate Leader then moved for Senate to adjourn plenary to Next Legislative Day; Tuesday, 26th January, 2016. Senate Minority Leader seconded.

Senate the adjourned plenary to Tuesday, 26th January, 2016.

‎Gavel Banged

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