By Halimah Olamide
The Senate has explained that it needs the controversial N70bn allocated in its budget is meant to provide basic needs for lawmakers whose offices are in bad shape. Yemi Adaramodu, Chairman Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, said in a statement on Sunday that no kobo of the said amount will be paid to any legislator directly.
In the statement, Adaramodu accused a section of the media and general populace of misrepresentation adding that what is being palliatives for lawmakers is not for their personal use. “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 palliative 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.”
Adaramodu said 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.