Senate defers 2013 appropriation act amendment proposal till April 16

  The Senate is likely to debate the 2013 Appropriation Act Amendment Proposal forwarded to the National Assembly last week by Jonathan from April 16, after the Easter break.

Senate spokesman, Enyinnanya Abaribe, dropped the hint while briefing newsmen on Tuesday.

He said that the Senate Standing Committees had so “much work piled up” after the Easter holidays and the Senate would resume plenary session from April 15.

Abaribe also told reporters that the Senate was not against the decision of the executive arm of government to place the supervision of constituency project under the Minister of Special Duties.

About N100 billion was appropriated for constituency project in the 2013 budget.

Abaribe said, “We think that what is being done in the presidency is probably to make the constituency project more efficient”.

It would be recalled that Jonathan had requested amendments of some clauses in the budget which, according to him, can be detrimental to the work of the executive arm of government.

Clause 6, Clause 7 and Clause 10 of the 2013 Appropriation Act had been listed for necessary amendments.

Clause 6 deals with the need to ensure prompt release of funds to agencies.

Clause 7 compels the Accountant-General of the Fe deration to forward to the National Assembly full details of funds released to government agencies immediately such funds are released.

Clause 10 centres on the non-inclusion of the budget of the Securities and Exchange Commission in the 2013 Appropriation Act.

Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan has withdrawn the nomination of Akinola Salau of Oyo State as a national commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Jonathan conveyed the withdrawal in a letter dated March 21, and addressed to the Senate President, David Mark.

The letter, which was read at the floor of the Senate by Mark quoted the president as saying that “emergent circumstances have necessitated the withdrawal of Salau as national electoral commissioner.

“A replacement nominee will be forwarded to the Senate shortly. It is my hope that this will receive your usual kind consideration”, the president wrote.

TUNJI OLAWUNI, Abuja