S/East lawmakers decry exclusion from developmental plans

The South-East caucus in the House of Representatives on Thursday decried the exclusion of the geopolitical zone from the developmental projects proposed in the $29.6 billion for 2017-2019 borrowing plan despite infrastructural deficit bedevilling the zone.

The caucus, chaired by Chukwuka Onyema (PDP-Anambra) called for inclusion of infrastructural projects for the zone in the three year borrowing plan sent by President Muhammadu Buhari for the approval of the House.

Onyema who blamed President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet for failing to provide details of the terms of the loans, duration, cost and application of the proposed fund, frowned at the lopsidedness of the projects in favour of some geopolitical zones of the country.

Onyema who doubles as Deputy Minority Leader said: “Details of the loan utilization must be made available to us to ensure geographical spread and relevance to current economic outlook with a view to job creation and inclusive growth for all sectors/sections of the country.

“We therefore insist that, as a part of this country, the South East infrastructural deficit must be captured to ensure uniform development and inclusive growth.”

While speaking on the nation’s economy, Onyema who admitted that the lingering economic recession has resulted in the loss of jobs, decreased spending, prevalence of hunger and uncertainty in the polity, aligned with millions of Nigerians affected by the prevailing situation.

He however urged the “Executive arm of Government to speedily formulate Fiscal and Economic Policies that will see an end to the present economic downturn.

“Vide a joint resolution of both Houses of the National Assembly urging the President to engage with the legislature on the true state of our economy and his roadmap to economic recovery, the urgency cannot be overstated at this time.”

While reacting to the recent killing of Ndigbo in Abuja, he called for relevant security agencies to ensure that the culprits were brought to book.

“We strongly condemn the gruesome murder of three prominent Ndigbo in the FCT. We call on all relevant authorities including the Nigeria Police Force and the Judiciary to expedite action in bringing the culprits to book.

“We also condemn in strong terms the demolition of Zone 3 Canopy Market mostly patronized by Igbo traders. We demand the immediate compensation to the families of all those who lost their lives and properties in the two incidences.”