– The conversation on the 2016 budget has not died down yet
– The controversies concerning the national document opens up new vistas on a daily basis
– The issue of budget padding seem not be alien to the National Assembly
If the words of Senator Babajide Omowoware are to be believed, the issue of budget padding is not new to the Nigerian Senate.
Senator Babajide Omowoware
The senator representing Osun East Senatorial District in the upper chamber made the revelation today while speaking on Abuja-based radio station, Rhythm 94.7.
READ ALSO: I paid to be a member of the Senate – Ekiti senator
Omowoware said: ”After spending about five years now in the Senate, I make bold to say there is no budget that has to come to us that hasn’t been padded!”
The senator who is the chairman Senate Committee on Rules and Business, said it was the norm in the past for legislators to have their inputs added into the document.
He however called for the understanding of Nigerians in the current impasse, assuring that the executive and the legislature are working closely to ensure the budget is passed on time.
Omowaware’s confession is an indictment on the 7th Senate which he was part of and was presided over by immediate past Senate president, Senate David Mark.
The senator who also spoke about the constant attacks on innocent citizens by Fulani herdsmen, prescribed for ranching with a public private partnership approach to allow for grazing by the herders.
”The Senate had to step down all other matters on the order paper to debate the killings by herdsmen,” Omowoware revealed.
He went on to commiserate with all those who lost their loved ones in the recent herdsmen attacks in Enugu state and other parts of the country.
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has promised Nigerians that the 2016 budget will bring smile to their faces after its implementation.
According to the president, ”Our 2016 budget is designed precisely to bring millions of our people out of poverty, enhance the living conditions of the citizens and bring smiles to their faces.
”Our 500 billion naira social intervention social intervention fund which is unprecedented will among others, create jobs, for 500,000 unemployed graduates, 370,000 unemployed non-graduates, provides loans for one million Nigerians, including market men and women as well as artisans to start up small businesses.
”It will feed 4.5 million school children, ensure cash transfers, to the most vulnerable citizens, and provides scholarship and bursary to students studying science, technology, engineering and mathematics.”
READ ALSO: Amendment of CCB, CCT act: It is wrong to legislate in anger – Group tells Senate
In a related development, Senate president, Bukola Saraki has announced that all the grey areas in the 2016 budget have been finally resolved.
The post Revealed! Budgets sent to the Senate in the last 5 years has been padded appeared first on Nigeria News today & Breaking news | Read on NAIJ.COM.
