Parliament
Don’t misunderstand our role in Appropriation process, Speaker warns defaulting MDAS
By Kassim Omomia
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila has warned Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government, MDAs, which are yet to appear for budget defence to do so in their own interests and in line with the supervisory role provided the legislature by the Constitution
He specifically cautioned them to disabuse their minds from the unfounded notion that each time they were called to defend their budget proposals , it was an undue incursion on the management of their offices.
Gbajabiamila who spoke at the resumption of plenary after a one-month recess to engage MDAs in defence of the 2021 budget estimates, noted that efforts are in full swing by the House to ensure that the budget is passed on time in keeping with the standard that was set last year and which the Nigerian people now rightly expect of the National Assembly
To that extent, he frowned at the attitude of MDAs delaying the budget processs, arguing that there was the possibility that those who still decline to appear for budget scrutiny misunderstand the legislative role in the appropriation process
He said, “Let me at this time reiterate that when the Committees of the House of Representatives and the Senate convene to review the heads of expenditure contained in the Appropriation Bill, we do so in the exercise of clear and concise constitutional authority.
“This posture stems from a fundamental misunderstanding of the legislative role in the appropriations process.
“Let me also state very clearly that this is a responsibility we take seriously, and will not evade, regardless of whatever objections may arise from any quarters.” he further warned
According to him , there were government agencies “that consider the exercise of the legislative authority to review their budget proposals as an undue incursion on the management of their offices.
The Speaker asked such agencies to come over and subject themselves to the budget defence process as it is part of the constitutional mandate of the House.
“It is in the best interests of our country that all parties concerned subject themselves to this process in good faith, knowing that this too is an obligation of service to our country.
He disclosed that the budget will be passed early.
“We will do it early, and we will do it right. The Nigerian people expect as much from us. I thank all of you for the work you have put in thus far, and I encourage you to continue in this regard.”
The speaker who touched on fat reaching areas of legislative works of the 9th House , further told chairmen and their deputies of the standing committees to create innovative ways of engaging the public and relevant stakeholders in every legislative process.
By so doing, the Speaker said, the House would have succeeded in building support for policy initiatives as well as promoting the relationship between the House and the public on one hand and the critical stakeholders on the other hand.
Gbajabiamila said the House has a lot of tasks ahead in the coming weeks, encouraged members to reach out to their constituents “to participate in both the Constitutional Review and Electoral Amendment processes by articulating and submitting the changes they wish to see. This too is part of the joint task of nation-building.
“It is through the aggregation of the many and varied opinions of all Nigerians that we will arrive at a constitution that meets all the best expectations we have for our country.
“As much as is possible, I encourage all the Chairmen and Deputy Chairmen of the House Committees to seek out innovative avenues for public engagement, stakeholder collaboration and cross-pollination of policy ideas.
“Increased public participation in the legislative process is also part of our Legislative Agenda,” Gbajabiamila said, adding that “When done appropriately, such interactions can build support for policy initiatives and promote relations between the House of Representatives and the public on the one hand, and the critical policy stakeholders on the other.”
The House at plenary also prayed for the repose of the soul of Ifeanyi Okereke, the vendor that died from a shot fired by a security agent attached to the Speaker last Thursday.
