BLOODY!!! Lawmakers, Buhari’s Ministers, Exchange Deadly Blows, As Northern Cabals Hold Osinbajo Hostage

BLOODY!!! Lawmakers, Buhari’s Ministers, Exchange Deadly Blows, As Northern Cabals Hold Osinbajo Hostage

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Emerging report, indicates that there was a sharp disagreement in the Presidential Villa, on Tuesday, between the National Assembly members, and Cabinet Ministers, over the adjustments in the 2017 budget.Recall, that the National Assembly a few weeks ago passed the 2017 budget estimates, presented to the Lawmakers since December last year, by President Muhammadu Buhari.The National Assembly on May 11, passed the 2017 Appropriation Bill, raising the estimate from N7.28 trillion proposed by President Buhari, to N7.44 trillion.Sources revealed that the Ministers are unhappy that the Legislature adjusted some items in some key Ministries, including Water Resources, the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, and Works and Housing.Also, the Lawmakers raised observations on the budgeting of N5 billion for school fencing, without specifics.In line with their responsibility, the Lawmakers allotted the N5 billion to “needy schools”.The Ministers discovered some adjustments, which they were “uncomfortable with.”Investigation revealed that the affected adjustments formed the kernels of the disagreement between the Executive and the National Assembly, which has delayed assent to 2017 budget.All the areas of disagreement were tabled yesterday, at the Executive Session of the House of Representatives.It was learnt that at the session, the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, pleaded for understanding to “resolve the grey areas in the 2017 Budget.”A source who spoke in confidence, said: “Our main disagreement borders on adjustment of some items in the budget of Ministries of Water Resources, FCT, and Works and Housing.“The Executive complained that some of the adjustments have affected counterpart funding for some critical projects.“We were told that the Ministers in charge of these portfolios, were said to have pointed out the implications of the adjustments.“At the end of the day, we agreed that we may revert to original allocations for counterpart funding, because it involves international agencies.“But we have all agreed that we will retain all other adjustments made in the interest of Nigerians.”Another Lawmaker, said there was no way the National Assembly could revisit the adjustments made to the N5 billion allocated for school fencing.The Rep said: “The Federal Ministry of Education included a proposal to spend N5 billion on school fencing, without mentioning any specific school.“In considering the budget, we allocated the N5 billion to needy schools. Yet, the Ministry has faulted our action. We did not add one kobo to the N5 billion.”Asked of the next step, the Representative said: “Again, we have decided to raise a Sub-Committee, made up of the Executive and the National Assembly, to harmonize our positions.“The Sub-Committee, headed by the Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, will resolve the grey areas. But there is no time frame for the Committee.“This is a follow up to the activities of the main Committee, which was led by Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo.“If however, there is no headway, we may have to use our veto to pass the budget into law.”