•Presidency to represent request
•Ambassadorial list escapes being turned down
From Fred Itua, Abuja
The Senate, yesterday, unanimously rejected President Muhammadu Buhari’s 2016-2018 External Borrowing Rolling Plan request of N29.96 billion.
Eminent Nigerians reacted to the development, saying the President deserved what he got from the lawmakers. They noted that he ought to have sounded the legislators out before presenting the request. This is even as the Presidency accepted the temporary setback, but said the request would be re-forwarded to the Senate soonest.
Also, the list of 46 non-career ambassadors sent to the Senate a fortnight ago by the President narrowly escaped rejection by lawmakers.
The loan request was rejected at about 11am yesterday, soon after the Senate convened for the day’s business. The request was part of the Order Paper. Leader of the Senate, Senator Ali Ndume, moved a motion that the request be considered.
He was supported by the Deputy Minority Leader, Senator Emmanuel Bwacha. President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, who presided at plenary, put the question forward whether or not the request be debated.
He was interrupted by Senator Dino Melaye, who raised a Point of Order. He was still speaking when he was cut short by Saraki who insisted that the question be put forward before Melaye’s position could be accommodated.
When it was put to a voice vote, almost every Senator shouted ‘nay’. Not certain, Saraki again called for another voice vote. Lawmakers again thundered, ‘nay’. Saraki thereafter ruled in favour of those who voted against the loan request.
Though lawmakers were silent on two key issues, findings by Daily Sun revealed that the Senate rejected the President’s request because of the non-attachment of the breakdown of the $29.9 billion external borrowing plan to the letter he sent to the Senate.
The second reason, it was gathered, was based on the refusal of President Buhari to send Federal Government’s 2016-2018 borrowing plan contained in the last paragraph of the letter.
“The President in the letter said there was an attachment containing the breakdown of the external loan request. But there is no attachment. President Buhari did not attach the breakdown. There is no way we can consider such a request.
“Secondly, the President has not sent Federal Government’s 2016-2018 borrowing plan to the Senate. That ought to have been sent first for consideration and passage before this request. If we consider this request, how do we do that? These are the obvious reasons. There is no political undertone here,” a lawmaker told our correspondent.
Part of the first paragraph under dispute reads: “I wish to refer to the above subject and to submit the attached draft of Federal Government 2016-2018 External Borrowing (Rolling) Plan for consideration and early approval by the National Assembly to ensure prompt implementation of the projects…”
The last paragraph under dispute reads: “…it has become inevitable to request for the National Assembly leadership approval pending the consideration and approval of the 2016-2118 borrowing plan by the National Assembly to enable us disburse these funds immediately.”
Making further clarification on the rejection, Ndume told correspondents: “I was shocked. I think it was defeated on technical grounds. I will try and reintroduce it again. We must not throw the baby and the bad water away. It ought to have been referred to the relevant committee, but because of the omission of some things, it was rejected.
“We expect them to include the things. There is nothing to worry about. We will do what is right. We will look at it on the basis of merit. We will do this as the best way we can. Those things that are necessary will be included.”
Reacting to the rejection, the Senior Special Assistant on National Assembly Matters (Senate) to the President, Senator Ita Enang, said concerns raised will be addressed.
He said the loan request will be represented to the Senate. According to him, Buhari’s Economic Team was already working to put everything in place.
Enang said: “We are not disputing with the distinguished Senate. There are certain information and details which will enable them to consider in detail and appropriately the request of Mr. President as contained in the plan.
“So, we are collating that information. The Budget Office of the Federation, the Debt Management Office, the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Minister of Finance and the Economic Team are collating the information so that they can be submitted to the Senate to enable them take the appropriate decision,” he said.
Last week Tuesday, President Buhari forwarded a request to both chambers of the National Assembly to approve his request to borrow $29.96 billion to finance projects cut across all sectors of the economy with special emphasis on infrastructure, agriculture, health, education, water supply, growth and employment generation, poverty reduction through safety net programmes and governance, as well as financial management reforms.
Since the letter of request was read on the floor of both chambers of the National Assembly, pundits and stakeholders have been sharply divided on the issue.
Similarly, Saraki prevented rejection of non-career ambassadorial nominees. Less than 10 minutes after the loan request was defeated, Ndume moved a motion that the Senate should consider Buhari’s request to confirm the nominees.
Like the loan request, Saraki put it forward for a voice vote. Lawmakers thundered ‘nay’. This time, the Red Chamber became rowdy. After restoring peace, Saraki put it up again and lawmakers re-echoed the same ‘nay’.
Saraki who paused for about 10 seconds, shocked lawmakers when he overruled them and approved the consideration of the list of non-career ambassadorial nominees.