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A move by some
lawmakers at the House of Representatives to investigate the alleged
unauthorized release of fund from the N10 billion earmarked by the
Presidency to celebrate the 50th independence anniversary of the
country, was defeated yesterday.

However, President
Goodluck Jonathan’s request for extra budget of N639.8 billion scaled
second reading in the House. House minority leader, Mohammed Ali Ndume,
had, while raising a point of order, asked his colleagues to probe the
controversial release of funds by the executive arm to celebrate the
nation’s independence anniversary without the approval of the National
Assembly. Mr Ndume, who relied on Order 8 (4) of the House Standing
Rules, argued that the privileges of the lawmakers had been breached
collectively because the federal government has started spending part
of the N10 billion earmarked for the event. He demanded for an ad-hoc
committee to halt what he called “a step towards unconstitutionality.”
When Speaker Dimeji Bankole, who appeared uncomfortable with the point
of order, put the question whether it should be considered or not,
members roundly rejected.

Moving on

The lower
legislative chamber also read for the second time the Supplementary
Appropriation Bill forwarded to it by Mr Jonathan and asked its
Committees on Appropriation and Finance to expedite action on the bill
and report back for final consideration tomorrow (Thursday). Mr
Jonathan had proposed a supplementary budget of N639.8 billion and a
request for the amendment of the N4.6086 billion 2010 Budget to address
shortfalls in the projected revenue and approved aggregate expenditure.
The proposal, he said, will cater for the recently announced civil
servants’ wage increase and the forthcoming 50th anniversary
celebration of Nigeria’s independence.

Development fund Of
the N639, 824, 478, 183 proposed, N507, 125, 967, 248 is for additional
recurrent (non-debt) expenditure while the balance of N132, 698, 510,
935 is for contribution to the Development Fund for additional capital
expenditure for the year ending 31st December, 2010.

The sum of N287, 324, 427, 248 is to take care of the recent
increment in the wages of civil servants with N187.195 billion for core
civil servants; N61.641 billion for wage increase for universities;
N22.933 billion for polytechnics, N28.247 billion for Colleges of
Education; N74.592 billion for medical professionals; and N12.714
billion is earmarked for payment of two months arrears to the Academic
Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).