Senate
President Bukola Saraki yesterday said a bill to legalize constituency
projects is being considered to address controversies trailing it.
Speaking during a public hearing on
three bills tagged,” constituency projects (budgetary provision bill),
Tax incentives management bill and Companies Income Tax (Amendment)
organised by the Senate committee on Finance, Saraki said the bill will
ensure that every local government is covered in the allocation of
projects in the annual budget.
“In
some African democracies with similar presidential system as ours, like
Kenya and Uganda; there exist legal and institutional frameworks for
the implementation of constituency projects.
“This is to forestall controversies
that might arise because of the poor understanding of the implementation
process. I am hopeful this bill will aid constituency project
implementation oversight and ensure its equitable distribution and
execution,” he said.
Saraki said it was pertinent to
educate the public that this bill is not to empower the National
Assembly members to take 20% of the annual budget and use it for
personal consumption.
“That has always been the false
understanding of constituency projects even amongst the most educated
Nigerians. Members of the National Assembly merely identify the needs of
their constituents and recommend to the Executive during budgeting.
“Ultimately National Assembly
members have no direct control over the release of funds and all
payments are processed and effected in accordance with government
regulations,” he said.
Also speaking, chairman of the
Senate committee on finance, Senator John Enoh (PDP, Cross River) said
the two other bills when passed would assist in blocking revenue
leakages, enhance tax collection and stimulate the economy.
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