Constituency project allowance: Senate summons SGF over comments

Following a statement credited to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Babachir Lawal, on the withdrawal of constituency project allowance from the federal lawmakers, the upper chamber of the National Assembly has summoned the SGF.

The resolve was made after the legislators debated a motion raised by a representative from Edo State, Senator Matthew Urehogide, on Tuesday in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.

The matter which came under matters of urgent national importance at the floor of the Senate was viewed by lawmakers as an attempt to stop the provision of the dividends of democracy for members of their constituents.

They argued that the funds were already captured in the 2016 Budget and needed no further debate.

A senator from Ekiti South, Biodun Olujimi, gave his view on the issue and urged public officers to speak with caution.

However, another lawmaker from Kebbi North, Bala Ibn Na’Allah, noted that the SGF should not be blamed.

After much deliberations on the matter, the Senate summoned Mr Lawal to appear before its Joint Committee on Ethics, Budget and Appropriations.

The upper house directed its committee to get back to the Senate with its report within a week.