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Senators Slam FG’s 2018 Budget – Say Projections Unrealistic
Senators yesterday rejected the projections upon which the 2018 budget is based, declaring the projections as unrealistic.
The lawmakers, who commenced the debate on the general principle of the budget said that the implementation of the 2017 budget left so much to be desired.
Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (PDP, Abia South) who opened the floor of the debate caused an uproar when he declared that the 2018 budget was ‘fictitious, adding that the budget is not consolidating on the 2017 budget.
The Senator said that the N8.612 trillion 2018 budget does not consolidate on the 2017 and 2016 budgets as claimed by President Muhammadu Buhari during the 2018 budget presentation.
The lawmakers also decried what they called the abysmal implementation of the N1.2 trillion capital component of the 2017 budget. The Senators also faulted the parameters contained in the 2018 budget especially the oil benchmark of $45 per barrel, adding that it should be jerked up to about $50. Senator Abaribe drew the ire of some senators, especially Senate Leader, Senator Ahmed Lawan who stated that the use of the word ‘fictitious’ was unparliamentary.
The Abia Senator then agreed to withdraw the contentious word but replaced the same with the word ‘imaginary’ even as he maintained that the implementation of the budget was very low.
He said: “I am just quoting the Senate Leader from his speech, which said the 2018 budget was designed to consolidate on the achievements of the 2016 and 2017 budgets. What was done in 2017 when less than 15 per cent of that budget was released? Nothing was done and that was why I called it (2018 budget proposal) fictitious. I am very sorry if that is the word he is bothered about. I will withdraw the word ‘fictitious’ and use ‘totally imaginary.” According to Abaribe, the receivables (revenue) in the budget were being exaggerated, adding that the revenues were only one-tenth of the figures being claimed by the government. He stated that the budget was being predicated on parameters that have been destroyed by facts available.
Senator Ben Murray Bruce (PDP Bayelsa East) in his own contribution said that the 2018 budget proposal is a “budget of active imagination,” as according to him, the budget is already committing 25 percent to debt servicing.
He said: “We have to decide what the exchange rate really is. Is it N305 (to US$1) or N365?” Murray Bruce stated that the cost of governance in Nigeria remains very high, adding that agencies that have outlived their usefulness still remain on government’s payroll.
He said: “FRCN (Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria) has 8000 workers. Sell it to the staff. Who listens to the Voice of Nigeria (VoN)?” He said that while it was commendable that the Ministry of Transport and Chinese Firms were working on the multi-billion dollar rail projects, the Senate should take deep looks at the intricate details.
“We have steel, Ajaokuta is there. Why don’t we use that facility and create jobs through that,” he said.
Senator George Akume, who also contributed said that the oil benchmark should be increased to $50 because crude oil price has increased to between 58-$62 per barrel.
Deputy Senate Whip, Senator Francis Alimekhena (APC Edo North) told the Senate that the 2016 and 2017 budgets were bloated, adding that they lacked impact on the people.
He stated that it was unrealistic to assume that about N2 trillion would be realised from oil revenue and N4 trillion from non-oil revenue.
He also supported the increase of the budget benchmark to $50 while output is maintained at 2million barrels per day as in the 2017 budget.
The senator said: “There is no need to raise the hope of Nigerians and execution is zero. Let’s cut our coat according to our cloth. If the budget size is N3 trillion and execution is N3 trillion (100 percent), we will be happier than to say it is N8 trillion and execution is just N2 trillion.”
Senator Gbenga Ashafa (APC Lagos East) who also contributed said that only the sum of N450 billion has so far been released in the capital votes of 2017 budget.
He stated that the key issue with the 2016 and 2017 budgets was the question of funding which he said made the budgets less impactful.
He said: “A budget can be big and bloated, but when you do not have enough funds for capital projects which are more impactful, then the budget is going nowhere.” The senator cited the example of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), which he said only N800 million has so far been released out of its 2017 appropriation of N25 billion.
Ashafa said: “What impact would that make on roads,” adding that only N500 million has so far been released out of the N11 billion budget of the Nigeria Railways Corporation (NRC).
Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over the sitting, said that there is an urgent need to reconsider the budget deficit projections.
He said: “I thank everyone for their contributions, I commend my colleagues for keeping their language clean and speaking their mind on the 2018 budget debate. “Some research agencies are not researching anything and are still being funded, we need to point them out so we don’t spend money on them.”
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has announced that it will suspend plenary from tomorrow.
This is to allow members proceed on oversight assessment of the 2017 budget and hold defence sessions for the 2018 budget.
The suspension will last for three weeks.
The Deputy Speaker of the House, Mr. Yussuff Lasun, who presided over proceedings, yesterday, made the announcement as debate on the budget began at the floor of the House, yesterday.
News
PDP Opobo/Nkoro Hails Fubara On Peace, Projects
Stakeholders of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Opobo/ Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State have commended the state Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara for his disposition that has fostered peace in the State.
Rising from an expanded stakeholders meeting last Saturday in Opobo Town, the body in an eight-point communique signed by its Chairman, Hon. Benneth Daminabo, Chairman of Council, Rt. Hon. Enyiada Cookey-Gam and LG party Chairman, Warisenibo Godwin Pepple commended the governor for linking Opobo/Nkoro LGA to the national grid.
In addition, it lauded the effort of the governor in pursuing the 50.15 kilometre Dual Carriage Ring Road, Elelenwo internal road, Aleto-Ebubu-Eteo Road in Eleme and Andoni Road projects.
Despite the distractions, the stakeholders said they were impressed that the governor had equally done projects in health-the unveiling of Prof. Kelsey Harrison Hospital, Agric projects at Tai and Oyigbo and improving welfare of civil servants.
In their words, “members reaffirmed their unalloyed loyalty and implicit confidence in his administration.”
Condemning the unfriendly and discourteous utterances of Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Tony Okocha in different fora in the State, the forum urged the duo to desist from such action in order not to heat up the polity.
The forum pledged to stand by the governor through, “thick and thin”, the stakeholders acknowledged the contributions of women, who through prayers for the government has impacted positively in the direction and posture of the governor.
Finally, the forum unanimously expressed gratitude to the Simplified Movement and other bodies that have thrown their weight behind the governor to ensure that the administration is stable and successful.
By: Kevin Nengia
News
‘Rivers People Are Now Breathing Fresh Air Under Fubara’
Aformer Caretaker Committee Chairman of Abua/Odual Local Government Council of Rivers State, Hon Elamo Arogu, says under Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the people of the State are now breathing fresh air.
Hon Arogu said Governor Fubara has given Rivers people hope, considering the impactful and people-oriented projects being carried out by his administration.
The former CTC chairman made the assertion during the Simplified Movement’s thanksgiving service and rally held in honour of Rivers State chief executive last Friday in Abua .
Arogu said under Governor Fubara, the Abua/Odual people have the confidence that the dividends of democracy will definitely get to them.
He noted that the Governor has the strong will to change the narrative in Rivers State, being the reason he is receiving massive support across the State.
“The people of Abua/Odual are strongly behind him. Our doors ate open for everyone because there is government in place to attend to the needs of the people. I believe that he will develop Abua/Odual and other Rivers council areas, hence, the massive support. This government is business- oriented and we are ready to encourage him succeed and invest in our land. The issue of a bank; road networks and other necessities of life bordering on development as demanded by the people will be considered by Governor Fubara”, he said.
He called on the opposition to team up with Governor Fubara to build a stronger, united and viable Rivers State.
He maintained that ward nine under his leadership is Simplified.
News
Rivers State University Cooperative Society Elects New Leaders
The United Port Harcourt Peoples Cooperative Investment & Credit Society Limited, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, has elected new leaders to pilot the affairs of the cooperative for the next two years.
They are Pastor Dr. Barine Aeba (President); Dr. Gift N. Nkweke (Vice-President), Dr. Kenneth Chima Adiele (General Secretary), Victor G. Banigo (Assistant General Secretary),
Rose Yeyeda Nwosu (Treasurer), Adaku Nwogu (Financial Secretary) and Stella Ereba (Public Relations Officer).
Inaugurating the new Management Committee after a keenly contested election held recently at the University Amphitheatre, the Director of Cooperatives in Rivers State, Dr. Elizabeth Chidi-Wike, congratulated the seven-member Executive for emerging winners at the election, charging them to uphold the bye laws of the Cooperative Society and hold regular congress meetings.
Dr. Chidi-Wike used the forum to commend the outgone Management Committee for reviving the Cooperative and placing it on an enviable pedestrial.
In her remarks, the Acting Registrar of the University, Mrs. Ibimonia Sotonye Harry applauded Cooperative members for keeping faith with the Cooperative Society, stressing that the goal of the society in helping members save for retirement cannot be over emphasised.
In his valedictory speech, the outgone President, Dr. Mie-Idala Jones Amachree expressed gratitude to God for the successful completion of his four-year tenure, thanking his fellow Management Committee members who gave him the needed support that transformed the Cooperative Society.
In his acceptance address, the President, Pastor (Dr.) Barine Aeba thanked the university management for providing the enabling environment for the peaceful conduct of the election, pledging that he will fulfill all his campaign promises.
A total of 165 Cooperative members participated in the electoral exercise which was conducted by an Electoral Committee led by Engr. (Dr.) Joseph D. Enoch.
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