Senate denies alleged padding of supplementary budget

The Senate has refuted claims of alleged padding in the recently appropriated N70 billion for the National Assembly.

The Senate denounced any insinuations that the funds were a “gift” from the Executive arm of government, dismissing such assertions as misguided and mischievous.

In a statement issued by Senator Yemi Adaramodu, Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, the Upper House clarified its position on the Supplementary Appropriation Act.

Adaramodu said that the passage of the Act was in line with the Senate’s constitutional duties and aimed to accommodate funding for essential national requirements, including the Federal Government’s palliative for the Nigerian public.

He said: “After the passage of the Supplementary Budget to accommodate funding for Federal Government’s palliative for the Nigerian public, among other urgent national demands, the socio-political space has been inundated with spurious, inaccurate and irreverent misinterpretations.

“Suffice to say that the passage is part of the absolute constitutional duty of the Senate. We would therefore, not wish to join issues with the mischief and misrepresentation that a portion of the just passed Amendment Act that appropriated N70 billion was a ‘gift’ to the Legislators.

“A visit to the Suites, offices and the general structures of the National Assembly complex would reveal a yawning and the need for exigent attention. Many Senators had to bring their chairs, tables and electronics and in many cases, do sundry repairs.

“The so much debated allocation will not be paid to any Legislator. This will be managed by the National Assembly Bureaucracy. It’s pertinent to also note that the National Assembly complex does not house only the Legislators. There are thousands of workers and service providers, whose working environment need a face-lift, and/with necessary tools.

“Since the Assembly Complex is not owned by Legislators who are merely political birds of passage, such allocation cannot be termed by anyone as a palliative to the Legislators.

“The alleged padding of the palliatve Budget by the National Assembly only exists in the minds of those who are all out to discredit the 10th Assembly. There is nothing like padding as being alleged in some misinformed media outfits.

“We wish to urge fellow compatriots to see the National Assembly as partners in the progress of Nigeria.The National Assembly is the soul of democracy and the 10th Senate shall join hands with other arms of government and our forward looking Nigerians to sing new songs of progress, development, safety and all round economic recovery and growth.”