Fashola

 

The disagreement between the National Assembly and the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola over the 2017 Appropriation Act appears to be festering.

Fashola, who has already been summoned by the House of Representatives but is yet to appear, was the subject of tongue-lashing on the floor of the Senate this Wednesday.

At issue is the Minister’s claim that the National Assembly inserted projects outside the purview of his ministry in the budget. He had wondered if the National Assembly had the power, under the constitution, to do that. The National Assembly on its part, said it acted in the national interest to ensure equity and fairness in the distribution of projects such that every part of Nigeria would be represented. The National Assembly also said Fashola was only feeding Nigerians with half-truths and wrong information.

On the floor of the Senate today, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation, Danjuma Goje raised a point of order in which he requested the Red Chamber to advise the minister to conduct himself like a minister. Said Goje:

“He is not a governor and this National Assembly is not Lagos State House of Assembly. This is an assembly composed of very patriotic Nigerians, many have done his job, many were governors before him.

“Fashola should know that dealing with the National Assembly is not dealing with Lagos State House of Assembly. If the job is too much for him he should do the honourable thing.

“But no amount of blackmail by him, no amount of propaganda by him or his surrogates will stop this National Assembly from discharging its duties in accordance with the provisions of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“We have sworn to uphold and protect this constitution and this we will do to the end of the life of this Assembly.”

Goje however submitted that the Senate would await the outcome of Fashola’s meeting with the House of Representatives before seeking further action.

Senate President, Bukola Saraki responded to Goje’s point of order by cautioning that Fashola and other ministers should watch their utterances.

“I am happy,” he said, “that the House of Representatives is also taking up this issue. We must be responsible, especially those at the position of cabinet, to look at issues from a national point of view and in the interest of all Nigerians.”

“We will definitely wait till the outcome of his appearance before the House of Representatives before further contribution on this matter.”