EKO HOT BLOG reports that anger has been mounting following the decision by the National Assembly to set aside N70bn for its members from the N819bn federal supplementary budget passed by the legislature last week.
The lawmakers defended this allocation, claiming that the N70bn was intended to support “the working conditions of National Assembly members.”
EDITOR’S PICKS
-
Delta Community Imposes N10,000 Fine, 40 Stroke For Ladies, Others Caught Dressing Indecently
-
FG’s Borrowing Soars To N25.36tn From CBN In Q1 2023 – Reports
-
Details Of Tinubu’s Meeting With Oba Of Benin Emerge
However, a vast number of Nigerians have deemed this budgetary allocation for lawmakers as insensitive, especially when many citizens are grappling with economic hardships worsened by the removal of fuel subsidies.
A prominent advocacy group, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), expressed its dissatisfaction with the allocation.
In a statement, they called upon the Senate President, Mr. Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Tajudeen Abbas, to abandon the plan to spend N40bn on 465 luxury and bulletproof cars for members and principal officials, along with the N70bn designated as “palliatives” for new members.
SERAP urged the National Assembly to repeal the 2022 Supplementary Appropriation Act, reduce the budget for the legislative body by N110bn, and address the impact of fuel subsidy removal on over 137 million poor Nigerians.
Prominent human rights activist and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, also criticized the move, deeming it callous and a violation of the country’s constitution.
He accused members of the National Assembly of conspiring to breach the relevant provisions of the Constitution by padding the Supplementary Appropriation Bill to allocate N70bn as “palliative” for newly-elected members. Falana highlighted the stark contrast between this lavish allocation and the economic hardships endured by the masses, with 62.9% of people classified as multidimensionally poor according to the National Bureau of Statistics.
Various individuals and organizations joined the chorus of disapproval, condemning the N70bn allocation as insensitive and inadequate in addressing the country’s economic challenges. Instead, they urged the government to allocate funds towards socio-economic activities that would benefit the Nigerian people and provide soft loans for legitimate businesses.
Despite the public outcry, the Senate defended its allocation, emphasizing its constitutional duty. The Chairman of the Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, urged Nigerians to view the National Assembly as a partner in progress.
He argued that the allocation was necessary to address the deplorable state of the National Assembly complex and to support the thousands of workers and service providers who rely on the facility. Adaramodu clarified that the allocation would not be paid directly to legislators but managed by the National Assembly Bureaucracy.
FURTHER READING
-
Nigerian Air Force Plane Crashes In Makurdi
-
JUST IN: Court Nullifies Arrest, Detention Of Suspended CBN Governor Emefiele By DSS
-
BREAKING: EFCC’s Case Against Ex-Gov Rochas Okorocha Shoved In The Trashcan By The Court
The controversy surrounding the N70bn “palliative” for lawmakers remains a contentious issue, with public opinion divided over the decision. While the National Assembly maintains its stance, many Nigerians continue to demand transparency, accountability, and a more equitable distribution of funds that address the pressing needs of the majority of the population.
Click to watch our video of the week
Advertise or Publish a Story on EkoHot Blog:
Kindly contact us at [email protected]. Breaking stories should be sent to the above email and substantiated with pictorial evidence.
Citizen journalists will receive a token as data incentive.
Call or Whatsapp: 0803 561 7233, 0703 414 5611
