FOLUSHO ALADE,ABUJA
The Senate has said that the request of PRESIDENT MUHAMMAUDU BUHARI for the National Assembly to consider and approve the Federal Government 2016, 2018 external borrowing plan will be scrutinized publicly to ensure that Nigerians are carried along.
The spokesman of the senate, GODIYA AKWASHIKI while briefing journalists on the request of the President said that the Senate will consider the request when the details of the proposed borrowing is communicated to it
He however pleaded with journalists and Nigerians to hold their peace till the details of the loan request in made public.
PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI on Thursday sought the re- consideration and approval of the National Assembly on the 2016-2018 External Borrowing Plan of the Federal Government.
BUHARI’S request is contained in a letter address to President of Senate AHMAD LAWAN and read at the plenary on Thursday.
The letter said in part “Request for the National Assembly to re-consider and approve the Federal Government’s 2016 and 2018 External Borrowing Plan.
“Pursuant to section 21 and Section 27 of the Debt Management Office Establishment Act.
“I hereby request for resolution of the Senate to approve the Federal Government’s 2016 and 2018 external borrowing plan as well as relevant projects under this plan.
“Specifically the senate is invited to note that while, I had transmitted the 2016-2018 external borrowing plan to the 8th National Assembly in September 2016, this plan was not approved in its entirety by the legislature.
“Only the Federal Government’s emergency projects, for the North-East’s four states projects and one China Exim Bank assisted railway modernisation project for Lagos-Ibadan segment were approved out of a total of 39 projects.
“The outstanding projects in the plan that were not approved by the legislature are nevertheless critical to the delivery of government policies and programmes relating to power, mining, roads agriculture, health, water and educational sectors.
“These outstanding projects are well advanced in terms of their preparation consistent to the 2016 debt analysis undertaken by DMO and were approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in August 2016 under the 2016-2018 external borrowing plan.
“Accordingly, I have attached for your kind consideration, relevant information from the Honourable Minister of Finance Budget and National Planning, the specific outstanding projects under the 2016 -2018 external borrowing plan for which the legislative approval is been sought.
“I have also directed the minister to make herself available to provide any additional information or clarification which you may require to facilitate prompt approval of the outstanding projects under this plan.
“While, hoping that this request will receive the usual expeditious consideration by the Senate, please accept distinguished Senate President, the assurances of my highest consideration,’’ the letter stated.
In another development the Senate Spokesman dismissed the insinuation that the introduction of the Hate Speech and Anti Social Media bills in the Senate was precursor to an impending 3rd term bid by PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI.
SENATOR AKWASHI stated that the issue of 3rd term for the President was never on the table and was not foreseeable considering the rigorous constitutional processes that is required for the amendment of the constitution which remains the only way the tenure of political office holders in Nigeria, especially the President and the governors can be altered. He stated that “there was no cause for alarm” as both the senate and PRESIDENT BUHARI were committed to protecting the Nigeria constitution.
