Reps accuse committee chairman of tampering with document

chika ebuzor

April 14, 2016 7:50 AM

Lawmakers blamed Jibrin for playing a major role in the removal of the Lagos-Calabar railway project from the 2016 budget.

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Members of the House of Reps are also blaming the Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation, Abdulmumin Jibrin for tampering with the budget.

Reports say the lawmakers blamed Jibrin for playing a major role in the removal of the Lagos-Calabar railway project from the 2016 budget.

Also, Vanguard reports that Senators from the South, have called on President Buhari not to sign the 2016 budget.

The Reps also alleged that their recommendations on the budget was not adhered to by Jibrin.

After a closed door deliberation on the matter, the House Speaker, Hon. Yakubu Dogara said “In the interest of our people, in view of the prevailing economic situation, the House has decided to re-examine the 2016 budget.”

Also speaking on the matter, the Chairman of the Media and Public Affairs committee, Abdulrazak Namdas said “We are not saying that as a House that the Calabar-Lagos rail project is not good, we know it is a viable project.

“Our concern is that people say that this thing was in the budget, and we removed it. That is why we are making this clarification and again I want to state it clearly that up till now, as I speak, there is no communication from the executive, the President to the National Assembly about the budget.”

He also said “All that we read in the media are other people’s opinions, but Mr. President has not come out clearly, and this is my problem with the budget that has been passed because as we were told, this budget has been taken back to Ministries for them to examine and get back to the President.

READ: Fayose slams Buhari over 2016 budget

“That is why we asked our speaker to liaise with the executive, let’s know what is the issue because we are elected by the people and we are here to serve Nigerians.”

The presidency and lawmakers have been trading blames over alleged removal or non-inclusion of the Lagos-Calabar railway project from the 2016 budget.

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chika ebuzor