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Reps summon Fashola to explain ‘worrisome gap in knowledge’ statement

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N8bn RELIEF FUND: NEMA fingered in poor distribution of relief materials in states

The House of Representatives on Tuesday invited the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, to appear before it to explain why he described the National Assembly as having ‘stark and worrisome gaps in knowledge’ over the budget process.

The description was made by Fashola while reacting on the National Assembly claim that he told Nigerians half-truths on the issues involving Lagos/Ibadan Expressway, and the 2nd Niger Bridge among other projects.

The Senate had while responding to Fashola’s earlier submission that the lawmakers made huge reductions in the budget he submitted to it, claimed through its spokesperson, Senator Sabi Abdullahi, that the minister was only telling Nigerians half-truth on the budget issue in order to instigate them against the National Assembly.

But Fashola insisted that the National Assembly messed up with his Ministry’s 2017 budget. He wondered why the lawmakers would slash appropriations for critical infrastructural projects which had already been defended before the lawmakers.

He further said that the Senate displayed very “stark and worrisome gaps in knowledge” in the way and manner its spokesperson addressed the budget process.

Read also: 2017 BUDGET: Your gap in knowledge very worrisome, Fashola tells Senate

The statement and other issues raised by Fashola on the 2017 budget, led the Reps members to under the Matters of Urgent Public Importance, during its plenary on Tuesday, unanimously agreed that the Minister had breached their individual privileges as well as that of the institution of the Legislature.

The said he has to appear before the House to explain his position and description of the lawmakers in such a manner.

The budget, over which the Minister and the National Assembly have been engaging in vocal fisticuffs, however had been signed into law by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo.

 

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