ABUJA/Nigeria: The Senate has expressed concerns over the implementation of the 2017 budget adding that $9 billion has been lost in the name of stabilizing the Naira. It expressed worry that only about ten percent of the N7.4 Trillion Naira has been implemented with barely three months to the end of the year. The Senate in reviewing the performance of the economy advised the executive to increase funding for the 2017 budget to avoid the economy slipping back into recession. The senate also summoned the Ministers of Finance and Budget and National planning, Kemi Adeosun and Senator Udoma Udo Udoma to explain the non-release of money to fund the project.
According to information gathered by the deputy Director of information in the Federal Ministry of Finance, Mrs. Patricia Deworitshe said the Federal Government has to date released N336 billion from the 2017 budget to Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) for funding of capital projects in the first quarter of 2017.
The Senate has uphold the Federal Government’s ban on IPOB activities urging all groups seeking to pursue any agitation to do so through constitutional means. The resolution was announced by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki. The Senate Spokesman, Aliyu Abdullahi Sabi told journalists after plenary yesterday that IPOB through the extant laws has been proscribed.
In another development, the senate has also reshuffled the leadership of some committees. Senator Andy Ubah who was Chairman, Public Accounts now heads Committee on Interior, while Senator Matthew Urhoghide, is now the Chairman, Committee on Public Accounts. Senator Sabo Mohammed is the Chairman, Committee on Trade and Investment and Senator Raji Rasaki is the Chairman, Committee on Culture and Tourism.
