The Senate has pushed for an increase in the amount of money provided to legislators for constituency projects.
The Senate, on the other hand, hammered a bill seeking to provide more money for Constituency and other Special Projects in the Annual Budget of the Federation and for Related Matters.
Senator Babaginda Hussaini’s (APC, Jigawa North-West) bill failed to go to a second reading on Thursday.
The legislator claimed that more funding would allow them to pursue constituency initiatives in their respective constituencies and get the money authorised for in Nigeria’s yearly budget.
The Constituency Project has long been a source of contention, with many reservations and even misrepresentations, owing to the fact that it is normally veiled in secrecy.
Hussaini highlighted in his opening discussion that the constituency project was not unique to Nigeria, and that it was one of the most successful means of ensuring equal distribution of development across the country.
He went on to say that it helps to bring government and democratic dividends closer to the people at the grassroots level.
The bill was widely supported by federal politicians, with many speaking in favour of it and utilising the opportunity to urge for additional funding for constituency projects in their districts.
According to him:
“The provisions of this Act shall apply, as more specifically object and purpose of the bill provided for in the Act, and shall ensure that specific portions of the Federal Annual Budget are devoted to the constituencies for infrastructural development, wealth creation, social development and the fight against poverty at the constituency level.
“The list of proposed projects to be covered by this Act shall include only projects on either the Exclusive List or those on the Concurrent List to obviate against any breach of Constitutional Provisions.
“The member shall submit the project proposal to the Appropriation Committee for input into the Budget.”
cc: Punch Ng
