The Senate, Wednesday, directed its standing committees to commence immediate investigation into the extent to which the N9.120 trillion 2018 budget was being implemented.
The committees were equally charged to conduct checks on the implementation of the $2.78 billion Eurobond by Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs.
Speaking at the end of plenary in Abuja, Dr. Bukola Saraki, Senate President, said there was need to determine how projects in the 2018 budget were being implemented, noting that the committees had been instructed to do serious work.
Saraki said: ”If you can recall, when we debated the Eurobond, there were a lot of questions on implementation and utilisation of those loans.
”But it was because of the expediency and the demand from the executive that we approved those loans; we did it on the understanding that our committees will quickly go and do oversight in MDAs to see that those funds have been properly utilised.”
Meanwhile, the Senate on Wednesday suspended plenary for two weeks to allow its standing committees carry out effective and robust oversight functions on Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs of government.
it became imperative to suspend plenary for two weeks to allow the committees conclude their assignments, adding that the Upper Chamber would resume plenary on November 6, 2018.
Clarifying that it was only plenary that was being suspended, Saraki said the committees were expected to carry out oversight functions during this period.
“So, I will charge like all our committees that during this period, they should carry out the necessary oversight so that we can report when we do resume back to plenary. The committees will be meeting till 6th of November,” he said.
In another breath, the Senate Wednesday confirmed Dr. Bello Tukur Ingawa from Katsina State as chairman, of the Federal Civil Service Commission, FCSC, in addition to 12 commissioners.
The confirmation of the chairman and commissioners followed the consideration of the Committee on Establishment, led by Senator Paul Paulker, PDP, Bayelsa.
Those confirmed as new commissioners include Moses Musa Ngbale from Adamawa State; Waziri Umara Ngurno from Borno State; Alhaji Bello Mahmoud Babura from Jigawa State; Arch. Ahmed M. Sama from Kebbi State and Princess Iyabode Odulate- Yusuf from Ogun State.
Others were Shehu Umar Danyaya from Niger State; Fatai Newton Adebayo Olapade from Oyo State; Chief EJoh Michael Chukwuemeka from Anambra State and Joe Philip Poroma from Rivers.
Those confirmed for renewal of appointments were Alhaji Ibrahim Mohammed from Kaduna State; Professor Aminu Dio Sheidu from Kogi State and Mr. Simon Etim from Akwa Ibom State.
Though Senator Rose Oko, PDP, Cross River North, raised objection against Akwa Ibom State nomination on the grounds that it was the turn of her state to produce a commissioner, the Akwa Ibom nominee scaled through.
Also yesterday, following the consideration of the Committee on Sports and Youth Development, led by Senator Obinna Ogba, PDP, Ebonyi, Mr. Lanre Gbajabiamila was confirmed as the Director-General, National Lottery Regulatory Commission.
Also yesterday, the Senate President announced Senator Danjuma La’ah, PDP, Kaduna South as the Chairman, Senate Committee on Poverty Alleviation. He replaces the late former Chairman, Senator Ali Wakili, APC, Bauchi South who died in April this year.
