Rep declare that they are not with fake 2016 budget

As the controversy and allegation of smuggling of a fake version of the 2016 Appropriation Bill into the National Assembly, especially in the senate, continues, the House of Representatives is claiming ignorance of the existence of any such document in its possession.   The House said what is before members is the authentic copy presented by President Muhammadu Buhari during the joint session on 26th December Upon hearing of the alleged missing budget, Sunday Vanguard made inquiries from the leadership of the House and the House spokesman, Hon. Abdulrasak Namdas, said that the document was intact in the House.

According to him, “As far as the House of Representatives is concerned, there is nothing like missing budget. As from tomorrow (January 13, 2016) by the grace of God, we shall begin to distribute copies of the budget to members for deliberations.”

Consequently, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, on Wednesday, January 13, ordered the Clerk of the House, Mr Sani Omolori, to circulate copies of the alleged ‘missing’ Budget to all lawmakers.

He said, “All members should send their staff with valid identification to the appropriation committee office to pick up copies of the 2016 budget.

“People should not give information that is not clear but look for clarification on such matters.”

Speaking to Sunday Vanguard, the member representing Etsako Federal Constituency of Edo State and former President of National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, Rep Philip Shaibu, said it was unthinkable that the budget presented to the National Assembly could disappear like that. Shaibu who was a former Minority leader in Edo State House of Assembly said that even if the presidency wants to withdraw the budget presented for any reason, it could formally write the National Assembly for the withdrawal of the initial one and then come forward with the amended version.

However, with the disclosure by the senate president, Bukola Saraki that the document being circulated in the senate was different from what the President presented, the House of Representatives insisted that it was not in possession of any fake budget as alleged in the red chamber.

Fielding question from Sunday Vanguard while briefing journalists, Chairman of the committee on media and public affairs, Abdulrasak Namdas, said that the only 2016 budget proposal before the House was the original copy that was presented by President Muhammadu Buhari on December 22, 2015.

Also speaking, the deputy chairman of the committee, Rep Jonathan Gbefwi, (PDP-Nasarawa) said that the lawmakers would accord the budget the priority it deserves.

He said, “Of course we are not undermining the importance of any other bill but we all know that the Appropriation Bill is the one that is very important and timely.

As there appears to be disagreement between the senate and the House over the authenticity of the budget document in the National Assembly, there has not been any comparison between what the senate claims is the fake document and what the House has as the authentic copy of the 2016 Appropriation.