Don't Miss


Home   >   Goverment   >   Senate Approves N161.6 billion Subsidy Supplementary Budget, Accuses Presidency of Blackmail

Senate Approves N161.6 billion Subsidy Supplementary Budget, Accuses Presidency of Blackmail

By on December 14, 2012

Just 17 days to the end of the year, senators have approved the N161.6 billion supplementary budget for fuel subsidy payment requested by President Goodluck Jonathan.

The Senators approved the request reluctantly to avoid been held responsible for the perceived fuel scarcity during the festive period.

The President earlier asked the senate to approve the sum of N161.6 billion, saying only N7.7 billion was left of the N880.3 billion budgeted for payment of fuel subsidy in the 2012 budget, which would not be enough.

The lawmakers noted that the approval came with mixed feelings because some lawmakers were in complete disagreement but had no choice but to consider.

The lawmakers also had disagreements on the forensic audit on which the request is based, they referred the matter to some committees.

Senate President David Mark explained the reaction of the lawmakers.

He said, “Whether it is from the opposition or the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members, all the contributions are extremely valid and nobody went out of track.

“There is no gainsaying and it is not a secret anymore to say that there is so much corruption in fuel subsidy management.

“Whatever system they adopt and I think the nation must take a decision now whether to continue this (corruption) or to stop it.

“If they cannot eliminate corruption in the industry, then, the other alternative will be to stop the whole exercised of subsidy and we will take the one that is easier and the one that will bring less pain to Nigerians.

“I thank all of you for taking into consideration the fact that if this is not approved, Nigerians are the ones who are going to suffer.

“The reason we are in the chambers here is to work for the welfare of the people and anything we can do to alleviate the suffering of our people would be done and we will continue to do so in the interest of those who have elected us.

“The nation, in my candid opinion, must make that decision sooner than later because we cannot carry on like this way.

“Obviously, they should have anticipated that there was going to be shortfall when they first made this budget at the beginning of the year but that did not happen, we are now shouldered with the responsibility of this additional approval and we have done so in the best interest of this nation.

The Senators tagged the request as a “set-up”meant to create friction between the National Assembly and Nigerians while some simply called it “blackmail.”

One Comment

  1. Fred

    December 15, 2012 at 5:36 am

    Nigeria Senators are all heaps of Criminal,if this criminal act will continue then the Senate allow it,Nigerians have been suffering and if you know the president just want to cause friction between you and the masses then you should have outright ignore the supplementry budget when you know is fraud…David Mark just cover your face is shame okay….Idiot educated illitrate