To summon CBN Gov, Finance Minister
*Orders release of N500bn Social Intervention Funds
By Aaron Ossai
Worried by the current economic recession and the accompanying hardship on Nigerians, the House of Representatives will on resumption from its recess on Tuesday September 20 summon the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele and the Finance Minister, Kemi Adeosun.
National Trail reliably gathered that the House will demand from the two representatives of the executive arm of government among others the extent it has so far implemented the 2016 budget and efforts being made to cushion the effect of the current economic recession on the people.
The House according to our source will also want to know why the executive arm has not implemented all the intervention programmes it promised since 2015 when the All Progressives Congress, APC government came into power.
Speaking further, the source disclosed that the House is particularly worried about the N500 billion social intervention fund mapped by the federal government to cushion the impact of poverty on Nigerians through payment of N5000 monthly stipends to the indigent poor among other promises.
“The federal government had promised to set aside a whooping N500 billion and another N90 billion for the indigent poor and school feeding programmes that are yet to be implemented barely three months to the end of the year. This and others would be the primary concern of the house as it resumes plenary.
“It is disheartening that up till now, both the Central Bank governor and the Finance Minister seem to have been at a loss as to how to find lasting solution to the economic problems of the country months after noticing that the nation’s economy was sliding into recession.
“We are definitely going to pass resolutions to compel the executive arm of government to implement these programmes as well as pay contractors, pay outstanding salaries and other unfulfilled promises aimed at improving the living standards of Nigerians.
“This to our mind will go a long way to reduce violent crimes across the country because according an African adage, ‘a hungry man is an angry man’ and that an idle mind is the devil’s workshop”, the source explained.
All efforts to reach the Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Hon. Razaq Namdas failed however, the Chairman, House Committee on Legislative Budget and Research, Hon. Golu Timothy confirmed that the state of the economy will be the focus of the House as it resumes.
“The economy will be our focus, the implementation of the 2016 budget to wake up and stimulate the economy. We shall strengthen oversight and begin work on the 2017 MTEF and budget.
“We therefore call for the release of the N500 billion social intervention funds to reduce suffering of Nigerians”, he added.
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