N500bn palliative: Senate denies budget padding allegation

The leadership of the Senate has dismissed allegations that it padded the N500 billion palliative budget by over N200billion.

An online platform (not Tribune) in its  publication alleged that over N200billion not in the initial estimate was inserted into the budget for what it called phoney projects.

Reacting to the media report, Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu said the report was bereft of facts and meant to impugn the integrity of the leadership of the Senate.

According to the statement, “After the passage of the Supplementary Budget to accommodate funding for Federal Government’ Palliative for the Nigerian public, among other urgent national demands, the socio-political space has been inundated with spurious, inaccurate and irreverent misinterpretations.

“Suffice to say that the passage is part of the absolute constitutional duty of the Senate. We would therefore, not wish to join issues with the mischief and misrepresentation that a portion of the just passed Amendment Act that appropriated N70bn was a ‘gift’ to the Legislators,” the statement noted.

Senator Adaramodu  stressed that “a visit to the Suites, offices and the general structures of the National Assembly complex would reveal a yawning and the need for exigent attention. Many Senators had to bring their chairs, tables and electronics and in many cases, do sundry repairs.

“The so much debated allocation will not be paid to any Legislator. This will be managed by the National Assembly Bureaucracy. It’s pertinent to also note that the National Assembly complex does not house only the Legislators. There are thousands of workers and service providers, whose working environment needs a face-lift, and/with necessary tools.

“Since the Assembly Complex is not owned by Legislators who are merely political birds of passage, such allocation cannot be termed by anyone as a palliative to the Legislators.

“The alleged padding of the palliative  Budget by the National Assembly only exists in the minds of those who are all out to discredit the 10th Assembly. There is nothing like padding as being alleged in some misinformed media outfits.

“We wish to urge fellow compatriots to see the National Assembly as partners in the progress of Nigeria.The National Assembly is the soul of democracy and the 10th Senate shall join hands with other arms of government and our forward looking Nigerians to sing new songs of progress, development, safety and all round economic recovery and growth.”

Meanwhile, barring last minute change, the leadership of both chambers of National Assembly would announce members of Committees on July 27.

A serving lawmaker who confided in Nigerian Tribune said the date which incidentally is the eve of departure of lawmakers for  their annual recess was chosen to stave off anger that might trail the announcement from lawmakers who may lose  out in the list to be released.

Checks revealed that President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio last Tuesday announced composition  of 8 Committees to kick start the smooth working of the Red Chamber.

Senate spokesperson, Senator Adaramodu in a telephone interview with Nigerian Tribune however said he was not aware if the composition of the Senate Committees would be released on July 27.

“I am not aware of the official date. Yes, I agree with you that it could be released before we go on vacation,” he said.

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