PRESS STATEMENT THURSDAY 17-07-2014
The Chairman House Committee on Information, Strategy, Security and Publicity representing Epe Constituency II at the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon Segun Olulade has condemned the proposed borrowing plan by the Federal Government to support Military operations in the fight against terrorism.
The spokesman for the House noted that even though there is no doubt that everyone is seriously concerned about the need to end Boko Haram insurgency ravaging the Northern part of the country, attempt to put the nation on the track of undue borrowing is not acceptable.
Olulade who raised some rhetoric noted that the Federal Government is gradually making the nation to wear the status of ‘prodigal son’ by its unnecessary wasteful and undue thirst for money.
“Where has the budget for security operations in the country been going since 1999? With all the claims of a buoyant and robust financial stand of the nation by the coordinating Minister of the Economy and Finance, why has it been so difficult to generate funds internally to step up fight against terrorism? What has happened to all the looted money claimed to have been recovered by this government? Why is President Jonathan eager to borrow money penultimate general elections? What is happening to all the missing money in the country that this government is yet to locate?
“Thousands of questions are seriously begging for answer. The Jonathan government, having been so reckless with money, does not enjoy the confidence of Nigerians over borrowing proposals, so I enjoined the National Assembly to reject the proposal in the interest of innocent Nigerians who have been critically battered as recipients of the consequences of financial ineptitude of this administration under President Jonathan”, Olulade submitted.
The lawmaker alerted that as long as corruption thrives, any money borrowed will be squandered by few individuals while the money would have been spent to the last kobo before it even arrives.
Olulade argued further that the Federal Government under Goodluck Jonathan should tell Nigerians what has happened to increased budgetary allocation for defence which was raised to the tune of N968.127 Billion in the 2014 budget simply because of fight against Boko Haram before proceeding for another borrowing attempt.
In his words, he said “the main problem with the present Federal Government is that transparency has been slaughtered at the altar of corruption. The National Assembly should demand open publication of Finance Budget by the Federal Government so far and subject such to scrutiny by Nigerians, I bet that the current proposal for borrowing will not be justifiable”.
“President Jonathan needs to face reality over the seriousness of finding the over 200 abducted Chibok schoolgirls rather than use same to raise money for supporting his private agenda for 2015 ambition. It is dangerous to borrow at this moment, Nigerians should cry out and save the nation of further economic quake”, Olulade concluded.
Signed:
Hon. Segun Olulade
Chairman, House Committee on Information, Strategy, Security and Publicity Lagos State House of Assembly.
