An executive proposal for the virement of N135.6billion in the 2017 budget for critical infrastructure, including rail projects and the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway,is not listed on the order paper as the National Assembly returns today from a two-month recess.
The lawmakers, who went on recess on July 27, may discuss the raging issue of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the restructuring of the polity.
Divergent views are being expressed on these issues by stakeholders, including the lawmakers.
Apart from the addresses by the presiding officers – Senate President Bukola Saraki and Speaker Yakubu Dogara – two bills are to go through third reading in the House of Representatives. They are the National Roads Fund Bill and the Medical Residency Bill.
Then Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on July 20 wrote to the lawmakers, seeking for a virement of N135, 643,018,749 in the 2017 budget to enable the government fund its priority projects and programmes in the 2017 fiscal year.
Osinbajo’s letter indicated that the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) and 13 ministries would be affected.
Osinbajo explained that the virement was part of the agreement reached between the Presidency and leadership of the National Assembly prior to the signing of the N7.441 trillion budget into law.
He noted that N46, 004,049,292 was to be vired in projects within the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing; N66 billion was to be vired within projects of the Ministry of Transportation.
According to him, sources of the virements are N33.247 billion from Ministry of Transportation; N3, 181,973,545 from Ministry of Power, Works and Housing; N14, 130,719,780 from Office of the Secretary to the Government of Federation; N5 billion from Office of the National Security Adviser; N5, 009,244,926 from Federal Ministry of Science and Technology and N5, 494,065,749 from Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment.
The then Acting President added that N1 billion was to be vired within projects of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development; N7, 698,811,674 from Federal Ministry of Interior and N80, 500,000 from Ministry of Trade and Investment; N3.150 billion from Ministry of Defence; N770 million from Federal Ministry of Education; N1.7 billion from the Federal Capital Territory Administration and N1.3 billion from Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment.
Other sources include: N1 billion from the Federal Ministry of Health; N735, 035,00 from office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation; N1, 093,579,983 from Ministry of Labour and Employment; N729 million from Ministry of Information and Culture; N734 million from Ministry of Communication and Technology; N2, 387,541,000 from Ministry of Water Resources; N1 billion from Federal Ministry of Mines and Steels Development; N241, 001,800 from Federal Ministry of Environment.
Senate spokesman Sabi Abdullahi in a statement listed the priority areas to include: the passage of the three petroleum industry bills; social justice bills like the Jungle Justice Bill; employment-related bills like the Occupational Safety Bill and the Existing Vacancies Bill.
“Of course, we cannot forget the three Petroleum Industry Governance Bills
“We will also consider resolutions on the next actions to take with the flooding that has occurred in several states across the nation. Through our oversight powers, we will continue to work with executives at various levels to ensure that our town planning laws are updated to mitigate against flooding and other man-made disasters.”
“We have our work cut-out for us, however, working with and on behalf of all Nigerians, we will achieve all that we have set out to do.”
On the order paper today in the House of Representatives as contained in the procedure guide of the speaker is the presentation of 20 bills. The Clerk of the House will read out the short titles to members. These are to pass through First Reading.
The report of the ad hoc committee on the Urgent Need to investigate the Huge Debts Owed to PPMC by major and Independent Oil Marketers/ Sabotage by some Oil Marketers will be presented to the House
The report of the investigation, which was referred to the Committee on September 29, last year is to be presented by Hon. Mahmud Gaya.
A motion on the Urgent Need for Measures to Permanently Address the Perennial Flood in Benue State”, will be taken by the Chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business, Hon. Orker Jev.
Another motion under the title: “Motion on the need to construct roads to the Nigeria crude oil onshore terminals,” will be taken by Hon. Awaking- Inombek Abiante.
A motion on “Call to investigate the 2016/2017 Federal Civil Service recruitment exercise with a view of identifying anomalies,” will be treated by Hon, Henry Nwawuba.
On the list also is a motion “ Calling on the Federal Government to provide grants to indigenous oil companies to enable them compete favourably with multinational companies.” This is to be taken by Hon. Benjamin Okolo.
A bill to amend the Standards Organisation Act in a bid to empower the organisation to carry out inspection goods to be imported into Nigeria will be taken.
But it is expected that sensitive issues, such as IPOB and the calls for restructuring, if mentioned, would come through Matters of Urgent National Importance.
Eight reports by the House Committee on Public Petition are also listed for consideration today.
Before commencement of recess in July, Saraki hinted of the need to reshuffle standing committees to make them effective and functional. It is expected that the rearrangement of the committees will be one of the issues lined up by the Senate President.
The resumption of suspended former Senate Leader, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, is another issue before the Senate.
Ndume was suspended for six months for raising issues concerning alleged certificate forgery against Senator Dino Melaye and purchase of exotic cars by Saraki without investigation.
The Borno South lawmaker has served out his suspension.
Ndume’s case will be decided by the court next month
