Senate: Nothing like Budget padding, allegation a demonstration of error of Arithmetic

Senate on Tuesday explained that the N3trn alleged to be padded in the 2024 Budget was actually Statutory Transfers to First Line Charge Agencies of Government not domiciled in the Ministries.

Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Yemi Adaramodu gave the explanation, while speaking with Journalists on the suspension of Abdul Ningi over alleged padding of the 2024 Budget.

Adaramodu said the 10th Senate needed to be treasured as Pillar of Democracy and would only do what would promote National Interest

He said there was nothing like Budget padding, saying that the false narrative on N3trn padding was a demonstration of error of Arithmetic and innocent of Procedure by the Protagonists of Budget padding.

“The N3trn is for Statutory Transfers of Government Agencies on the First Lines Charges.”

He listed the Agencies to include Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Public Complaints Commission, National Judicial Council, North East Development Commission (NEDC), Niger -Delta Development Commission Commission (NDDC) among others.

He also dismissed the issue of provision of N500m as Constituency Fund to Senators, describing the allegation as a fairy tale.

He urged Journalists to study the 2024 Budget to investigate Allocations to National Assembly.

He said the issue of Budget padding was a negative connotation and a serious crime in Budgeting, hence Senate didn’t take it lightly.

“It is a matter of integrity, issue of Budget has been put to rest as the Protagonist of the Budget padding were called to substantiate and they could not prove it but the allegations can not just go without being attended to.

“The Appropriation Act is a Public Document and when it was done, it was done in the Public glare and it was N28.77trn and so for some to say N25trn was what was approved is scary.

“Statutory Transfers for Agencies on First Line Charges, that are not domiciled in the Ministries was what Ningi said was padded, that the Allocation can not be traced.”

He reiterated that the N3trn was not padded, was not missing, but was for Agencies of Government that were placed on First Line Charge.

He also said the allegation that a Section of the Country was allocated more Funds than other Regions was not put in right perspective, saying that Allocations were done Sectorially.

The Senate Image Maker said the integrity of the National Assembly was in question, hence the matter was treated with the seriousness it deserved.

Comments

Be the first to comment on this post

New in Pictures

No single Nation can tackle its security challenges alone, says Tinubu

Maritime Governance: Nigeria deposits 3 Accession Instrument at IMO

NNPC's Utapate Crude Grade hits Global Oil Market

Nigerian Banks raise N1.7trn through e-Offering in Recapitalisation Exercise

Environmental Degradation: Minister allays fears of States Government over Mining Activities

Solid Minerals Sector contributes ₦1.137trn to Government's Purse from 2007 to 2023

Report of missing money misleading, false, Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund intact, says NIMASA

External Borrowing: Tinubu seeks Senate's endorsement of $2.2bn

FirstBank hosts Inaugural China-Africa Interbank Association Forum

Award of Contracts: CBN raises the alarm on Fraudsters

Alleged Budget Padding: Senate sends Ningi on three-month suspension

The Senate has suspended Abdul Ningi (PDP-Bauchi) for three months from all activities of the Senate over 2024 Budget padding allegation.

The Upper Chamber’s Resolution was sequel to a Motion by Solomon Adeola (APC-Ogun) during Tuesday’s Plenary.

The Motion was titled: “Urgent Need to Address the False Allegations Against the Senate and the Presidency on the 2024 Appropriation Act by Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central).”

The BBC Hausa Service had reported Ningi as saying that President Bola Tinubu was operating two different Budgets for 2024.

It said Ningi had claimed that the National Assembly passed N25trn as 2024 Budget and not the N28.7trn that was being implemented by the Federal Government.

The initial prayers of the Upper Chamber was “allow for immediate deliberation of the matter and take appropriate action deemed fit in the overriding Public Interest and to prevent breakdown of Law and Order.

“Take further necessary steps to correct the wrong impression in Public Domain of 2024 Budget created by the BBC Interview and other National Media Houses and Social Media Platforms by Ningi.

“And amplified by Suleiman Kawu (NNPP-Kano) through his Facebook Account and other Social Media Platforms; and

“Take any further decision as the Senate deems fit and proper to safeguard the integrity of the 2024 Budget which is pivotal to the revamping of our Economy.”

Jimoh Ibrahim (APC-Ondo) had moved for an additional prayer that Ningi be suspended for an initial period of 12 months while Edeh Dafinone (APC-Delta) seconded.

But Garba Maidoki (PDP-Kebbi) moved a Motion for an amended prayer that the suspension should be for three months which was seconded by Sani Musa (APC-Niger).

Earlier, moving the Motion, Adeola as Chairman Senate Committee on Appropriation, said that the additional increase of N1.2trn was presented by the President during the Appropriation Process.

“This was through additional funding requests.

“The additional Source of Funding for the increase came from the increase in the Benchmark of Naira to Dollar from N750-N800, increase in Government Owned Enterprises (GOEs) Revenue and other Sources.

“The false allegations including that of the 2024 Budget being against the “North” has since generated Debate in the Media and General Public with aspersions on all Senators, the Senate and the National Assembly.”

In his own defence, Ningi said, “I think Adeola has done a fair job except on some issues that I do not understand. I never said the Budget was padded.

“I never issued any of these Statements. This is a fake contribution that was forwarded, I do not know the Author of this,” Ningi told the Senate.

In his contribution, Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele said what Ningi had set to do “was tantamount to a Civilian Coup.”

Earlier, President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio said that “Ningi told me he had paid the Consultant N30m to conduct the Investigation.

“Ningi called some of us for a Meeting. When he told me this, I told him I would like to see the details.

“But I didn’t receive it, but you had the opportunity to attend a BBC Interview. It’s only you that has the Document you have. I don’t have it.

“I want Nigerians to know that what President Bola Tinubu presented to the National Assembly was N27.5trn, at no time did the President presented N25trn.

“The integrity of this Chamber has been totally damaged,” he said.

Credit NAN: Texts excluding Headlines

Comments

Be the first to comment on this post

New in Pictures

No single Nation can tackle its security challenges alone, says Tinubu

Maritime Governance: Nigeria deposits 3 Accession Instrument at IMO

NNPC's Utapate Crude Grade hits Global Oil Market

Nigerian Banks raise N1.7trn through e-Offering in Recapitalisation Exercise

Environmental Degradation: Minister allays fears of States Government over Mining Activities

Solid Minerals Sector contributes ₦1.137trn to Government's Purse from 2007 to 2023

Report of missing money misleading, false, Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund intact, says NIMASA

External Borrowing: Tinubu seeks Senate's endorsement of $2.2bn

FirstBank hosts Inaugural China-Africa Interbank Association Forum

Award of Contracts: CBN raises the alarm on Fraudsters

Senate: Calls for Akpabio's resignation over alleged Budget padding 'unthinkable'

Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Yemi Adaramodu, has berated calls for the resignation of President of Senate, Godswill Akpabio, over “unfounded allegations “ of N3.7trn Budget padding.

Adaramodu, in a Statement in Abuja on Thursday, said calls for resignation of Akpabio were unthinkable.

He said Akpabio would not resign, and had no intention to resign at any time because he had not committed any wrongdoing.

The Spokesman said it was shocking that PDP Leadership could not comprehend what transpired at Tuesday’s Plenary, during which the allegations were debated.

Adaramodu said Ningi was given an opportunity to defend himself and prove the Budget padding allegations during the Debate, but failed to substantiate his claims, hence his suspension.

“Contrary to the contention by the PDP that N3.7trn was discreetly inserted into the 2024 Budget for alleged non-existent Projects, and what transpired on the floor of the Chamber.

“It is open knowledge that no such absurdity is found in the Budget passed by the National Assembly and signed by President Bola Tinubu, which is being implemented judiciously by the Federal Government.” he said.

Adaramodu said the Senate did not, in any way, violate the Constitution or its standing Rules and Orders, in not referring the matter to a relevant Committee.

He said the decision to take the issue in the Committee of the Whole was for transparency and fairness, and to afford the Public the opportunity to follow the proceedings and have a value judgement as to who was lying to the Nation.

The Spokesman said it was the Constitutional Responsibility of the Senate to vary and determine its Internal Rules, as deemed fit.

According to him, Ningi was never intimidated or harassed, gagged or denied the privilege to exercise his right of reply as the Senator was given ample opportunity to defend himself.

He said the PDP expected the Senate to sweep the unfounded allegations under the carpet ,but that the 10th Senate under the Leadership of Akpabio had zero tolerance for corruption.

The Spokesman further said the Investigation of the “false” N3.7trn Budget padding allegations could not have been conducted by the Senate in the closet as suggested.

He said the 10th Senate, under Akpabio, would not be distracted from delivering good Legislation and effective Oversight for which Nigerians elected them.

Credit NAN: Texts excluding Headlines

Comments

Be the first to comment on this post

Senate rejigs 2023 Appropriation Act, extends implementation by three months

The Senate has amended the 2023 Appropriation Act to extend implementation period from March 31 to June 30.

It also re-enacted the Supplementary Appropriation Act 2023, to extend its implementation from Jan. 1, to June 30.

This is sequel to President Bola Tinubu’s request in a Letter read by President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio at Plenary on Wednesday.

Tinubu, in the Letter titled: “Transmission of Appropriation Amendment Bill 2024 and Supplementary Appropriation Amendment Bill 2024 for Consideration” said the request was pursuant to Provisions of Section 58 (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999.

Tinubu said : “I forward herewith, the Appropriation Amendment Bill 2024 for the kind consideration of the Senate.

“The Appropriation Amendment Bill 2024, seeks to amend the Appropriation Act 2023 to further extend the time for implementing the Capital Expenditure of the Appropriation Act 2023, from March 31, to June 30.

“While the Supplementary Appropriation Act 2024 seeks to amend the Supplementary Appropriation Act 2023 to extend its implementation period from March 31, to June 30.”

Tinubu said the request for extensions was to ensure exhaustive implementation of the Appropriation Act.

The request of President Tinubu resulted in a Debate, as Senators hinged their contributions on Provisions of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

Ali Ndume (APC-Borno), said the Clerk of the Senate was in a better position to properly advise the Legislators on the President’s request.

“It is better we do what we are trying to do in a way that we will not have Constitutional complications.

“This is a Supplementary Bill, It can be the same Document as the 2024 Supplementary Act, so that it can be applied.

“This a Supplementary Budget, the Senate Leader can present it as a Bill for 2024.”

The Deputy President of Senate, Barau Jibrin, (APC-Kano) said: “We are the Ruling Party, the President is ours. We must defend him by doing what is normal, what is in line with the Procedure and Practice of the Legislature.”

“What we need to do now is to re-enact that expired Act, It is stated in the Constitution that any Appropriation Bill or Supplementary Bill must be submitted to the National Assembly before we act on it.

“We can’t do it here, other Bills can emanate from here, not Appropriation Bill, It must emanate from the Presidency and he has done so.”

However, Ibrahim Dankwabo (PDP -Gombe) and former Accountant General of the Federation, also advised the Senate to ensure that its action, should not be in conflict with the Constitution.

He said the Constitution stipulated that by June, the Nation’s Financial Account of the preceding year should have been audited and reviewed by the Public Accounts Committee.

“You extended implementation to March, you still meet the Constitutional 90 days but If you extend it to June, that means you will not submit the Account until September, which contravenes the Provision of the Constitution.

“Secondly, you cannot extend the current, you can’t because you have already closed the Book of Accounts and provided for Opening Balance, that is why you have Opening Balance.”

But Barau drew Dankwabo’s attention to Provisions of Section 81 (1) , (3, 4b) of the 1999 Constitution, to argue that the President could send Appropriation Bill or Supplementary Appropriation Bill to the two Chambers of the National Assembly at any time as needed.

“What we are talking now is not an extension of that Recurrent Expenditure. It is a re-enactment, it is a new Bill.”

After the Debate, Senate re-enacted the Supplementary Appropriation Act to extend the implementation period to June 31, having suspended its rule 78 (1) to read the Bill for first, second and third, after a Clause by Clause consideration.

Barau, who presided at the time of the Passage, thanked his Colleagues, particularly the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele for bringing the Motion forward, though the request came from the President.

He said the Bill was passed to ensure implementation of Capital Components of the 2023 Appropriation Act.

“There is no point passing a Budget, which is geared toward the development of our Country and the most important Component, the Capital is unimplemented.”