$30BN LOAN: We’ll engage Senate, it will change its decision –Presidency

The Presidency is optimistic the Nigerian Senate will change its decision and allow President Muhammadu Buhari’s request for external loan of $29.960billion by the time the executive engages them.

The Senate had on Tuesday unanimously rejected the proposed borrowing which the president said was meant for execution of key infrastructural projects across the country between 2016 and 2018.

However, addressing Journalists in Abuja, Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters, Senate, Senator Ita Enang, said that executive was not at war with the upper chambers and that the presidency would engage the lawmakers by supplying them with all the needed documents and materials for approval of the loan.

“We are not disputing with the distinguished Senate. There are certain information and details which will enable them to consider in detail and appropriately the request of Mr President as contained in the plan.

Read also: Saraki ignores senators’ protest to save Buhari’s ambassadorial list from rejection

“So we are collating that information, the budget office of the federation, the debt management office, the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Minister of Finance and the economic team they are collating the information so that they can be submitted to the Senate to enable them take the appropriate decision.

“We would be engaging the Senate. We will not be disputing with them, but we will be engaging with them. When we present a matter before the legislature, it’s for them to consider and as they have considered, more information is needed and that information they are entitled to it and we would provide,” Enang said.

By Ebere Ndukwu …

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