In case you missed the happenings in the hallow chamber of the Nigerian Senate yesterday, I bring you the highlights of all that transpired.
The main debate was on the 2016 Appropriation Bill.... Read and be updated.
The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria resumed its debate on the 2016 Budget after approving votes and proceedings of the day.
Below are contributions by distinguished Senators on the Appropriation Bill debate.
Sen. Oluremi Tinubu (Lagos Central):
Commended Senate President Bukola Saraki for being a gender-sensitive President.
Sen. Tinubu maintained that the APC manifesto promised an inclusive government where women would be well-represented.
She further stated that the Ministry for Women Affairs has the least allocation with no provision for Women Development Projects, Maternal Health, etc.Senator Tinubu added that women in IDPs centers were only used for elections and now they have been abandoned by the ruling party APC.
She added: “the change that was expected is not the change that is being experienced now.”Senator Tinubu affirmed that she spoke on behalf of Nigerian women.
“If the government doesn't do something on these issues, they will incur the wrath of women,” she said. She concluded that the Senate Committee on Appropriation should look into the issue.
Sen. Emmanuel Bwacha (Taraba South):
Spoke on the 2016 Budget, canvassed Agriculture be given more attention. He maintained that farmers don't understand the language of Change mantra.
The only thing understood by them however is: fertilizers; tractors and financial interventions from government.Senator Bwacha said Nigeria's resources in both hands of the APC and the PDP is enough to industrialise Nigeria.
He commended the transformational attention given to the Water Sector.
Sen. Ibrahim Abdullahi Gobir (Sokoto East):
Sen. Gobir tagged the Appropriation Bill a “Budget of Change and Hope”. He opined that the government should make the revenue-generating agencies more efficient.
Senator Francis Alimikhena (Edo North):
Sen. Alimikhena called the #2016Budget a budget of hope. He said it's good to borrow to build and fix infrastructures.
He however saidthat the estimates for Roads and Housing should be increased sighting the Abuja-Lokoja-Okene road as an instance.
Sen. Sam Anyanwu (Imo East):
Sen. Anyanwu maintained that 2016 Budget is an estimate that came to the Senate where its figures must be adjusted accordingly.
Anyanwu aligned with the thoughts of Senate Whip Adeyeye on 2016 Budget that there is the need for economic diversification.
He also made a case for solid mineral exploration, the IDPs, reconstruction of dams and the state of our refineries. He equally spoke on Research & Education. “As 500,000 teachers are to be employed, the existing ones must be taken care of” he advocated.
Sen. Kabiru Gaya (Kano South):
Sen. Gaya appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari's work on thebudget. He further spoke on the non-oil component of the 2016 Budget and made a case for the River Basin Development Agencies.
He concluded by charging the federal legislators on good legislativejob required by the 2016 Budget.
Sen. Clifford Ordia (Edo Central):
Sen. Ordia said that lawmakers should not make the hallowed chamber an avenue of trading blames. He supported borrowing.
He tasked the leadership of the Senate on efficacious oversight to ensure visible implementation of the Budget.
Sen. Jeremiah Useni (Plateau South):
Sen. Useni charged the present government on completion of ongoing projects. He protested the Security Votes for Presidency and state governments. “Its grossly abused and should be stopped,”Sen. Useni argued.
Sen. Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central):
Canvassed equitable distribution in project implementation.He commended the school feeding plans as captured in the Budget.
He however canvassed the project be executed locally where local farmers would benefit.
Sen. Tayo Alasoadura (Ondo Central):
He appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari for giving Nigerians a budget made for the poor. He added that issues of low oil prices are a blessing in disguise as it indicates the time to diversify the economy by exploiting other resources.
He reiterated that it's time Nigeria focused on revenue sources such as gas and others. He informed that in his home, Ondo, there are vast yet-untapped bitumen deposits that can be a great source of revenue.
He ended by saying that funds mismanaged under the umbrella SureP must be recovered.
Sen. Theodore Orji (Abia Central):
Said Budget is not for APC or PDP, it’s for Nigeria. He raised eyebrow on borrowing, internally generated revenue and inequality observed in the Budget.
He noted that the Enugu-Port Harcourt Road is as worse as the Lagos-Ibadan Road. The Enugu road therefore should be reconstructed as well.
He spoke on Security. He equally advocated that Chibok Girls must be brought back home.
Sen. Monsurat Sunmonu (Oyo Central):
The female senator said there is the need for short, medium and long term goals. She said she attended COPS21and spoke therefore on Carbon Dioxide emissions and other environmental issues.
She concluded by tasking the legislature on oversight functions towards the #2016Budget implementation.
The Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, then moved for the Senate to stand down all other activities in the Order Paper till the next Legislative Day.
The Senate Minority Leader seconded.
Senate President Bukola Saraki then put the question for adjournment, and the plenary was adjourned till the next Legislative Day: Tuesday, December 27, 2015.
Gavel Banged
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