Senate Minority Leader, Senator Biodun Olujimi, has advised the Presidency to desist from playing politics with sensitive issues like the budgeting process.
Senator Olujinmi noted that a recent statement credited to President Muhammadu Buhari, blaming the National Assembly for the annual delay in the passage of the Appropriation Act was not only unfortunate but only shows that the Executive arm is not saying the truth.
“The President himself in June this year expressed surprise during a meeting with the leadership of the National Assembly when he was confronted with the fact that ministers and heads of other agencies have refused to defend the budget proposals of their ministries and agencies before legislative committees.
“On that occasion, the President stated that the information was contrary to what he was fed by his aides before coming for the meeting. He then ordered the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), to compel all heads of MDAs to immediately appear before the respective committees so that the budget can be passed.
“It is a well known fact that some ministers had in the past appeared before the National Assembly committees and denied certain provisions in the budget of their Ministries. In one instance, Information Minister, Lai Mohammed, denied the provision made for the purchase of computers in his ministry as stated in the budget proposal submitted to the National Assembly. This kind of disconnect between budget proposals and the position of the heads of MDAs made the National Assembly to insist on budget defence by heads of MDAs. This has helped to curb the menace of what is known as budget padding.
“The executive arm needs to further interrogate the efficiency of those involved in budget preparation so that it can realize that one of the causes of delays in budget passage is how the budget estimates submitted to the Legislature come without the necessary details and accompanying documents. What was usually laid before the parliament was mere window dressing documents for the purpose of the presentation ceremony and the photo opportunities.
“There were also past instances like in the case of the 2016 budget when after the budget proposal was submitted with fanfare, the executive attempted to surreptitiously change what was submitted, thereby leading to allegation of ‘missing budget’ in the media. Later, there were two formal applications for substitution of the budget proposals.
“All these developments will necessarily lead to delay in the passage of the budget. The National Assembly, in the spirit of co-operation, decided to keep quiet and demonstrated understanding with the executive. Yet, in order to undermine the legislature and incite the people against the institution, the executive will often go to the public to talk ill of the legislature and blame us for its own failure
“When the President of the Senate told Senate Correspondents at their annual retreat in Jos that there was need for more engagement, dialogu…
[16:40, 11/11/2018] Editor Boss: Give without ceasing, Okowa tells Christians
DELTA State Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa yesterday (11/11/18) urged Christians to make their thanksgiving to God without restriction bearing in mind that all that they have and they are, was made possible by God.
Governor Okowa made the call at the 2018 harvest thanksgiving service of St Peter’s Anglican Church, Boji-Boji Owa, Ika North-East local government area of Delta State.
According to the governor who attended the service with his wife, Dame Edith and political aides, “it is very important that we give with a clean heart and give the best that we have because, whatever we have was given to us by God.”
“We have come here beautifully dressed; we give praise to the Lord our God but, there are questions, have we prepared ourselves to honour God? Are we prepared to give selflessly? The conviction must come from within because, he who gives freely will be rewarded by God,” he said, adding, “those who give to God freely are always victorious in whatever they do.”
The governor continued, “there is always something for you to thank God for, thanksgiving and offering is very good, giving to the Lord is a command and a privilege; give your best to God bearing in mind the Biblical story of Cain and Abel, knowing that our God is a good God, He does good things.”
“There is nothing the Lord cannot do, if He calls you fruitful, nothing will stop you from being fruitful; if He calls you blessed, no affliction will come near you, the devil will have no hold over you,” he stated.
He emphasised that Christians must give, in humility, cheerfully, willingly, in righteousness and honourably.
The service featured special prayers, thanksgiving, fund raising, among others.
