ADDRESS BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
AND CHAIRMAN OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY,
HIS EXCELLENCY, SENATOR (DR.) ABUBAKAR
BUKOLA SARAKI TO THE JOINT SESSION OF
THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ON THE
PRESENTATION OF THE 2016 DRAFT
APPROPRIATION BILL BY HIS EXCELLENCY,
PRESIDENT MOHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT
AND COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE ARMED
FORCES OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF
NIGERIA.
Protocol:
It is my pleasure on behalf of my Distinguished
and Honourable colleagues to warmly welcome
you and your entourage to this joint session of
the National Assembly.
Mr. President, your coming to this hallowed
chamber in person today to present the 2016
draft Appropriation Bill, bears eloquent testimony
to your profound respect and commitment to the
ideals of our constitutional democracy and the
dictate of the rule of law.
This is the first time in a few years that the
President of Nigeria has personally performed
this constitutional task. It highlights the
importance you have attached to building a
smooth working relationship with the National
Assembly. This is a positive gesture that is not
lost on all of us.
Mr. President, the National Assembly is acutely
aware of the challenges we face today as a
nation both in terms of the economy and
security. In addition to this, the price of oil is at
a 7 year low and the dwindling government
revenue consequently.
This notwithstanding, in order to meet with the
aspirations of Nigerians across all works of life,
we expect that the budget must de-emphasis
recurrent expenditure and prioritize the upgrade
of infrastructure in order to achieve economic
recovery and generate employment for our
teeming population.
The 2016 budget must also be bold and
pragmatic in providing transparent incentives and
conducive environment that will prime private
sector-led development, encourage local
production and promote made-in Nigeria goods.
Mr. President, the National Assembly is
conscious of the yearning of Nigerians for quick
delivery of democracy dividends. The National
Assembly has a critical role to play and we
recognize this role. On the budget we are willing
and ready to provide the scrutiny necessary to
pass only a budget that can be implemented
comprehensively to the letter. We are ready to
move swiftly and speedily to pass the 2016
Appropriation Bill.
The swift passage of the Medium Term
Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal
Strategy Paper already points to our
commitment and resolve towards this. I would
like to use this opportunity to thank all my
colleagues in the Senate and the House for their
steadfastness and patriotism in this area. We will
apply same but in the light of the great
importance of this document we will not short-
circuit scrutiny on the altar of expediency.
I acknowledge that the task of implementing the
budget is primarily that of the Executive. But our
recent experience has shown that even with the
best of intentions, too much discretionary
powers over budget matters are inimical to
accountability. It is also true that impunity and
corruption thrive best when the democratic
safeguards for checks and balances collapse and
accountability institutions abdicate their
responsibilities. In this regard, the 8th National
Assembly intends to discharge our oversight
responsibilities fully.
I therefore, want to implore Your Excellency to
support us in this important task by ensuring that
members of your government promptly respond
to invitations for clarifications when they are
required to do so by the National Assembly. Mr.
President, if only half of the unfolding allegations
regarding financial misappropriation under the
previous administration are true, they would
already be sufficient evidence of the dangers
that we face when public officials treat
accountability institutions with disdain and
oversight activities with irritation.
I am confident that your avowed commitment to
the rule of law and accountability would have no
accommodation for such behavior. On our own
side, we want to assure you that we shall only
pursue that which is provided for by the laws
and strictly within the ambits of the law.
Mr. President, I wish you to assure you that both
chambers of the National Assembly are united in
our support for your administration. We both
recognize that even as we seek to maintain the
integrity and independence of our respective
Chambers, that autonomy must be embedded
within the overriding responsibility we all have, to
improve the quality of lives of our people and
make them proud once again to be Nigerians. We
recognize that a harmonious National Assembly
is essential not only to Legislative progress, but
also for the Executive to function effectively.
I therefore invite Mr. President to take advantage
of this relationship, which we have not had for a
couple of years, to push through some of the
necessary reforms that would promote our
economy. It is in this light that the National
Assembly is also prioritizing the passage of laws
that further enhances our business environment
and promotes accountability in governance.
Let me assure you Mr. President, that with the
8th National Assembly you have got a partner.
An ally to help you steer the ship of State in the
right direction for growth, transparency,
accountability, equal opportunities, inclusion and
fairness. We will stand by you and work with you
to see Nigeria become the pride of all Nigerians
home and abroad and earn the respect it
deserves in the global arena.
With these few words, I hereby invite Your
Excellency to deliver your speech and lay the
2016 budget proposals for the consideration of
the National Assembly in accordance with
Section 81 of the 1999 Constitution of the
Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.
I thank you and extend the season’s greetings to
everyone.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
Dr. Bukola Saraki
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