A Bill seeking to provide an Act to provide for Constituency and other Special Projects in the Annual Budget of the Federation and for Related Matters suffered setback on the floor of the Red Chamber on Thursday as it could not scale Second Reading.
The Bill sponsored by Senator representing Jigawa North-West, Babaginda Hussaini, was meant to ensure more funding in the national annual budget for Constituency Projects for the lawmakers’ constituents.
Presenting his Lead Debate, Senator
Hussaini argued that it was one of the most effective ways of ensuring equitable distribution of development across the country.
He maintained that it helps to stimulate governance and bring the dividends of democracy closer to the people at the grassroots.
He said, “The provisions of this Act shall apply, as more specifically Object and purpose of the Bill provided for in the Act, and shall ensure that specific portions of the Federal Annual Budget are devoted to the Constituencies for infrastructural development, wealth creation, social development and the fight against poverty at the Constituency level.
“The list of proposed projects to be covered by this Act shall include only Projects on either the Exclusive List or those on the Concurrent List to obviate against any breach of Constitutional Provisions.
“The Member shall submit the project proposal to the Appropriation Committee for input into the Budget.”
Expressing support for the Bill, Senator Mohammed Monguno said his experience in the House of Representatives showed that the fund was grossly inadequate.
He said: “As a member of the House of Representatives, I got N100m which cannot do anything with the level of inflation ongoing in the country. In some places like Kano, lawmakers don’t get up to N70m because of their numbers.
“I am now in the Senate, and I don’t know how much I will get, some people said I will get 100m/200m, I don’t even know but that amount is grossly inadequate.
“I fully align myself with the fact that a part of the constituency would be budgeted for constituency project.”
Other Senators who spoke in support of the Bill included Senators Wasiu Eshinlokun, Kawu Sumalia and Abdul Ningi.
Senator Ningi disclosed that the Constituency Project was one of the reasons why many lawmakers didn’t return to the National Assembly.
Other Senators who spoke in support of the Bill included Senators Wasiu Eshinlokun, Kawu Sumalia and Abdul Ningi.
Senator representing Anambra Central, Victor Umeh, however, called for caution as he submitted that constituency projects were not within their purview as lawmakers, but with the executive.
He maintained that only an amendment of the Constitution by the lawmakers would ensure passage of the Bill.
He said: “I know that this bill would be popular among members because, among the constituents, we have been erroneously judged by what governors or executive can do in the states and constituencies.
“This bill seeks to infringe on the constitution which is very clear on the functions of all the arms of government.
“To do this, we would have to alter the constitution because this is not one of the functions of the legislature.”
Umeh added: “It is because of the pressure we have been subjected to and due to the understanding of the law, we have been able to agree on what we call the Zonal Intervention Project.
“I know the Senate President said that he would intervene in the funds available for what we call the Constituency project.”
. TheWitness
