Politics
N13BN FOR REFRESHMENTS: CACOL, CD threaten mass action against Nat’l Assembly
Following the Senate and the House of Representatives allocation of about N13billion for refreshments, travels and welfare in the 2017 budget, two Civil Societies Organisations (CSOs), have called on Nigerians to rise against the plan by the lawmakers.
The CSOs, Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders and Campaign for Democracy, lambasting the lawmakers in separate statements on Saturday, vowed that the perceived wastefulness must not go ahead without mass protest.
CACOL chairman, Debo Adeniran, said on the matter, “That allocation is a graphic example of how to be insensitive to the plight of the citizens of Nigeria. The lawmakers are cashing in on the people’s docility.
“Nigerians are going to rise up against such wastefulness. These are the people who claim to sit on our behalf at the National Assembly. Our legislators make laws to secure their emoluments and so on.
“If the presidency consciously allows this outrageous budget, then it is an accomplice.
Read also: How Senators’ interests delayed 2017 budget
“The National Assembly can reverse itself because we are still in a recession and they should empathise with us.”
In like manner, CD president, Usman Abdul, argued that the country would suffocate if Nigerians did not call to question, such “abnormalities” being perpetrated by the National Assembly.
“It is becoming a norm in our budgetary allocations to have such abnormalities. You have traditional gifts, entertainment and other frivolities in the budget,” he added.
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Agbor Chris
May 14, 2017 at 12:01 pm
Please what’s the difference between embezzlement of public funds and using N13bn for refreshments? The National Assembly should not be allowed to have such huge amount, it is synonyms to stealing from the public
Animashaun Ayodeji
May 14, 2017 at 12:02 pm
The red chamber has turned into disco house where lawmakers spend lavishly. The lawmakers are not in the house for refreshments but to represent the interest of the masses.But, they have forgotten their primary agenda
Amarachi Okoye
May 14, 2017 at 3:33 pm
who won suffer everybody won enjoy leadership seat.How i wish there is nothing like lawmakers it would have make sense for Nigeria to battle there problem themselves and be free from this bondage of hardship
Anita Kingsley
May 14, 2017 at 12:06 pm
This is nonsense. Nigerians are too calm, how can we be suffering and 469 people will be having N13bn for refreshments? Are they in the house to flex or to work? Na wa for these thieves disguising as lawmakers
Joy Madu
May 14, 2017 at 3:26 pm
this is just the beginning of Nigeria down fall will are going to to see more of it
seyi jelili
May 15, 2017 at 4:16 am
Keep shut, not for refreshments alone, the news story just wanted to attract you to reading it with anger, there are other expenses which include travelling and welfare, so the money is okay
Balarabe musa
May 15, 2017 at 3:24 am
These so called Senate are selfish and gluttonous, #13bn for useless thing, these funds are what they we spend on prostitutes when ever they travelled abroad and not for national assignment
seyi jelili
May 15, 2017 at 4:15 am
So what do you say to Mr President health bill or his own allocation, let’s be honest, even irrational budget spent by the executives alone is uncalled for.
yanju omotodun
May 15, 2017 at 3:41 am
We are shouting for shouting sake, 109 people tagged for #13bn is not much, do you know how much the executives spend on yearly basis, just forget it. #13bn is not much