HeadlineHouse : Members Disagree Over NDDC N315bn Budget

House : Members Disagree Over NDDC N315bn Budget

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SAN FRANCISCO, November 06, (THEWILL) – Members of the House of Representatives Wednesday were sharply divided over the constitutionality or otherwise of considering the 2013 appropriation bill for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

The government is proposing a total of N315.805 billion made up of N286.4 billion for development projects, N15 billion for personnel cost, N11.9 billion for overhead expenditure and N2.281 for capital expenditure.

Trouble started at Wednesday’s plenary shortly after the chairman of the House Committee on NDDC, Hon. Nicholas Mutu (PDP, Delta), presented the report of the budget. In spite of the disagreement, the budget was passed for consideration.

But when the report was tabled, some of the lawmakers picked holes in the timing of the budget and the eight months life span (commencing 1st April 2013 and ending 31st December, 2013) proposed in the bill.

First to move against the bill was Hon Kamil Akinlabi (APC, Oyo), who citing section 80 (4) of the constitution, argued that this provision makes it mandatory for all agencies of government to seek the approval of the National Assembly before making expenditure, and wondered how NDDC has been getting funds to execute projects since the beginning of the year without a budget.

He requested that the consideration of the bill be stopped, alleging that NDDC was indulging in extra-budgetary spending.

Akinlabi queried why an agency would bring its budget for consideration and approval in November when it would terminate in December.

The lawmaker’s argument was however punctured by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, who appealed to his colleagues to overlook the delay in presenting the budget and allow it to be scheduled for consideration.

Ihedioha said: “Please let’s not go into it, I will appeal to you that we don’t go into this issue. Let’s just allow this bill to go the way it is.”

The deputy speaker’s appeal could not however douse the tension as the Minority Leader, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila (APC, Lagos), rose in support of Akinlabi, arguing that it will be unconstitutional to consider the budget because section 80 (4) has made it clear that a budget should be for a financial year and not eight months.

But the Deputy Majority Leader, Hon. Leo Ogor (PDP, Delta), cautioned those opposed to the consideration of the budget, reminding them that their observation was in violation of the House standing rules as well as the constitution.

“I’m surprised we are violating the House rules that say you can’t review a matter for which the House had earlier ruled on,” he stated.

It was the chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business, Hon. Albert Sam-Tsokwa, and his appropriation counterpart, Hon. John Enoh, that saved the situation with incisive explanation and copious examples.

Saint Mugaga, Abuja

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