HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PASSES 2015 SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION BILL FOR SECOND READING
The Federal House of Representatives has on Thursday, November 19, 2015 unanimously passed for second reading, the 2015 Supplementary Appropriation Bill. The resolution that the Bill be read the second time came following a motion moved by the leader of the House, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila and seconded by the Minority leader, Hon. Leo Ogor.
Hon. Gbajabiamila who led the debate on the general principles of the Bill gave a breakdown of what the sum of N465.64 billion requested by President Muhammadu Buhari as a Supplementary budget for the 2015 fiscal year is meant for.
It will be recalled that Mr. President had in a communication to the House on Tuesday, November 18, 2015, requested for the consideration and subsequent approval of the sum of N465.64billion with an attachment of details of the purpose for which the money is articulated to accomplish.
The Majority Leader noted that the sum of N39.65billion is for operation Lafiya Dole and others; N2billion is for provisions for prison rations, feeding for Unity schools and others; N10.62billion is for provision for balance of severance, gratuity and allowances of outgone and incoming legislators plus legislative Aides; while the sum of N413.36billion is for emergency provision for subsidy claims.
The general principles of the bill was extensively debated on the floor of the House, and the subsidy clause took the center stage in the debate. Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejiocha posited that Mr. President should have submitted a breakdown of the performance of the 2015 budget in relation to the income and expense incurred, to enable the House consider the request, if need be.
The Minority whip of the House supported the passage of the Bill for second reading, but cautioned that all Committees of the House must intensify effort through oversight functions, to monitor the payment of subsidy claims, which she said would help ensure that the effect of the subsidy trickles down to the common man.
Speaker, Yakubu Dogara agreed with the Minority Whip, adding that the House will have a modality to study the effects of subsidy payments on the ordinary Nigerians. “The duty is on us as leaders to enforce the benefits of subsidy on the common man, otherwise, we have to think outside the box", he said.
When the question was put for the Bill to scale for second reading, the Members put their differences aside and unanimously voted in affirmative. Consequently, the Bill was referred to the Committee on Appropriation for further legislative input.
Meanwhile, the House has charged the security agencies to boost security around parks, markets and other areas, to forestall the incessant attacks on such places by the Boko Haram sect. This call came against the backdrop of the twin bomb blasts that claimed several lives in Kano on Wednesday. The House condemned the attacks and as well observed a minute of silence, to mourn those that were killed in the blasts.