Buhari to present supplementary budget to National Assembly
Buhari to present supplementary budget to National Assembly
Tada Jutha, Damaturu
The Senate President, Ahmed Lawan has said that Muhammadu Buhari, the President will present a supplementary budget to the National Assembly.
This month’s separate budget proposal was to tackle insecurity to people’s lives and property across the country.
Lawan disclosed this at the weekend (Saturday) in Gashua, Yobe state; while fielding questions from newsmen on the lingering security challenges that continue to claim many lives.
According to him, the National Assembly would ensure that normalcy is restored in states facing security challenges of terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and militancy in the Southeast.
“How do we engage the security of this country?” he asked, stating that it has been a nagging issue that cannot be solved in protecting people’s lives and property in the six geopolitical zones.
He said that with the recent appointments of new Service Chiefs, they have adopted new strategies, while the President and National Assembly will working to provide more funds for the supplementary budget.
He added that the legislators are prepared appropriate more funds to security agencies to fight terrorism and restore normalcy in every part of the country.
“The proposed new supplementary budget of Mr. President will address Boko Haram terrorism, banditry, militancy and kidnappings in the various affected states of our country,” he declared.
On incessant attacks and killings, he said: “We believe that we need to have security before life can be better.
“You can’t do anything or attract direct foreign investments. Even farming becomes impossible in some states because of the level of insecurity.
“So, security is key.”
He said that security is inevitable to restore normalcy, as the President gave the security chiefs six weeks to restore it in rural areas, particularly with the commencement of rainy season by June this year.
He warned that without security in rural areas, there will be no farming activities to trigger famine among various communities.
He added that food security will be threatened and the security situation will be compounded to lose more lives and property.
The Senate President who underscored the importance of unity in national development, said: “Those clamoring for the break-up of the country were in the vast minority.”
According to him, those behind the minority agitations were disgruntled elites bent on satisfying their self-serving interest to the detriment of majority of citizens.
He noted that unity of Nigeria would continue to be the cardinal focus of the National Assembly by ensuring equity, justice and fairness to every part of the country.
“What we need to emphasize always is equity, justice and fairness to all citizens of Nigeria,” noting that this is one way to go and the only way to ensure that everybody feels belonged.
He said the siting and spread of federal government projects has not favored any part of the country.
On agitations to disintegrate, he said: “I believe that the unity of this country will continue to be our major focus.
“You hear some people talking of maybe establishing their own country or secession.
“I believe that majority of Nigerians believe that they should stay together – and I mean the ordinary Nigerians.
“These are people who believe in the unity of this country.”
While lamenting disintegration, he disclosed: “The elites are the problems of disintegration of Nigeria. They will tell you, no, we have to secede.
“I believe that we should be fair to the multitudes of Nigerians, particularly those ordinary people. What they needed is good leadership.”
“We must give them leadership, a fair leadership. If we have any issues, we should be able to discuss it,” warning that the people should not be neglected when they complain of bad governance.
“So, I believe that unity of this country is non-negotiable.”
