Senator Omoworare decries delay in budget passage by Nigerian lawmakers..
Peter Oyebanji
Senator Babajide Omoworare, representing Osun East in the upper chamber of the National Assembly, on Wednesday, condemned the legislative arm of government over delay in budget passage in Nigeria.
The federal lawmaker made his comments in the lecture organised the National Students' Legislative Council (NSLC) hosted by the Faculty of Law, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-ife, to commemorate his 50th birthday.
The event titled "Nigeria yesterday, today and tomorrow: The adequate effect of legislation on the Nigerian economic system" was attended by dignitaries like Comrade Dare Eluyemi, Honourable Folorunsho Bamisayemi of Ife South constituency, Vice Dean of OAU Faculty of Law, Dr Adeleke Olugbenga, and some other speakers.
Speaking at the event, Senator Omoworare noted that there is something wrong with the legislative arm of government.
"If the legislative arm of government can hold on to the budget for months, then there is something wrong with the legislative arm. One of the functions of the legislative arm is check and balances, but it doesn't have to be at the detriment of th mme citizens," he said.
The senator who gave a very short speech, also promised another programme with the National Students' Legislative Coucil (NSLC). "Another programme will be hosted and I'll bring the past budgets, the next one and we'll deliberate on it."
It should be recalled that the 2018 Appropriation Bill was approved by the National Assembly seven months after President Muhammadu Buhari presented the documents to the legislative arm.
Also, the President presented the budget of N8.612trn to the parliament for passage in November 2017 but the National Assembly raised the estimate to N9.12trn.
The Senate however laid the blame on members of President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet and the ministries, departments and agencies under their portfolios for the delay in the passage of the 2018 Appropriation Bill.
The delay in the passage of the 2018 budget was a cause of concern to many Nigerians especially experts in various fields, who spoke on the adverse effect on the nation's economy.
Another speaker, Dr. Omosola Arawomo, a lecturer from the Department of Economics also spoke about the importance of legislature in order to have a stabilised economy.
"For a country to have a good economy, she must recognise the role of the legislature. I can't say which has a more important role to play between the executive and the legislature but what I can tell you is the legislative arm has a very important role to play in order to stabilise Nigerian economy."
Reacting to Mr. Omoworare's comment, Victor Oladapo, a student from the department of Management and Accounting, noted that "holding a budget for six month is just too long, both the executive and legislative are to blame for the delay but much of the blames lie on the legislative arm because if they don't approve budgets there is no way the executives would carry out their activities."
Another student from the department of Political Science, preferred to be addressed as Lekan, said "he (Mr. Omoworare) has a point but that doesn't make him different from other politician in the NASS. Why didn't he talk about the money ridiculous money they earn monthly? They are all birds of a feather."
Awards were also presented after the event as the lawmaker was awarded by Dr. Coker, a lecturer from the Faculty of law.
Comrade Dare Eluyemi who also spoke about youth development was awarded by the Law Representative Council for his role in Nigeria's youth politics.
Senator Babajide Omoworare, representing Osun East in the upper chamber of the National Assembly, on Wednesday, condemned the legislative arm of government over delay in budget passage in Nigeria.
The federal lawmaker made his comments in the lecture organised the National Students' Legislative Council (NSLC) hosted by the Faculty of Law, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-ife, to commemorate his 50th birthday.
The event titled "Nigeria yesterday, today and tomorrow: The adequate effect of legislation on the Nigerian economic system" was attended by dignitaries like Comrade Dare Eluyemi, Honourable Folorunsho Bamisayemi of Ife South constituency, Vice Dean of OAU Faculty of Law, Dr Adeleke Olugbenga, and some other speakers.
Speaking at the event, Senator Omoworare noted that there is something wrong with the legislative arm of government.
"If the legislative arm of government can hold on to the budget for months, then there is something wrong with the legislative arm. One of the functions of the legislative arm is check and balances, but it doesn't have to be at the detriment of th mme citizens," he said.
The senator who gave a very short speech, also promised another programme with the National Students' Legislative Coucil (NSLC). "Another programme will be hosted and I'll bring the past budgets, the next one and we'll deliberate on it."
It should be recalled that the 2018 Appropriation Bill was approved by the National Assembly seven months after President Muhammadu Buhari presented the documents to the legislative arm.
Also, the President presented the budget of N8.612trn to the parliament for passage in November 2017 but the National Assembly raised the estimate to N9.12trn.
The Senate however laid the blame on members of President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet and the ministries, departments and agencies under their portfolios for the delay in the passage of the 2018 Appropriation Bill.
The delay in the passage of the 2018 budget was a cause of concern to many Nigerians especially experts in various fields, who spoke on the adverse effect on the nation's economy.
Another speaker, Dr. Omosola Arawomo, a lecturer from the Department of Economics also spoke about the importance of legislature in order to have a stabilised economy.
"For a country to have a good economy, she must recognise the role of the legislature. I can't say which has a more important role to play between the executive and the legislature but what I can tell you is the legislative arm has a very important role to play in order to stabilise Nigerian economy."
Reacting to Mr. Omoworare's comment, Victor Oladapo, a student from the department of Management and Accounting, noted that "holding a budget for six month is just too long, both the executive and legislative are to blame for the delay but much of the blames lie on the legislative arm because if they don't approve budgets there is no way the executives would carry out their activities."
Another student from the department of Political Science, preferred to be addressed as Lekan, said "he (Mr. Omoworare) has a point but that doesn't make him different from other politician in the NASS. Why didn't he talk about the money ridiculous money they earn monthly? They are all birds of a feather."
Awards were also presented after the event as the lawmaker was awarded by Dr. Coker, a lecturer from the Faculty of law.
Comrade Dare Eluyemi who also spoke about youth development was awarded by the Law Representative Council for his role in Nigeria's youth politics.
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