ABUJA – President Muhammadu Buhari has made a passionate appeal to the National Assembly to pass the 2016 Appropriation Bill of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to enable them implement their programmes for the year.
He made the appeal when he hosted the Federal lawmakers to a dinner at the Presidential Villa on Monday night to mark the 2016 Democracy Day.
The President while appreciating the role of the National Assembly also assured them that the Executive would not interfere in the affairs of the legislators.
He also enjoined them to give accelerated hearing to other pending Executive Bills before them.
“Let me appreciate the work of the National Assembly for the painstaking and consensual work they did with the Executive to deliver the 2016 Appropriation Act.
“It is on record that this is one rare occasion where the Appropriation Act was Assented to with the schedule i.e. the details. This is a good start in our journey of CHANGE.
“I seize this opportunity to please draw attention to the under listed Bills which have been Submitted to the National Assembly and appeal for accelerated consideration and passage, namely:
- Bills for Acts for domestication of agreements for avoidance of double taxation between Nigeria and South Korea, Spain and Sweden respectively.
- Federal Capital Territory Appropriation Bill, 2016.
- Money Laundering (Prevention & Prohibition) Bill 2016.
- Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Bill, 2016.
- Statutory Budget of the Niger – Delta Development Commission, 2016.
“I am conscious that on June 9, 2016, the National Assembly will complete one Legislative year.
“May I appeal to you to consider and pass these submitted Bills, particularly the Statutory Budget of the Federal Capital Territory, the Niger – Delta Development Commission Budget and the budget of Statutory Corporations.
“These bodies cannot execute their statutory mandate nor incur expenditure for the year unless their budgets are approved by the National Assembly.
“I hereby, re-state the commitment of this administration to observe the principles of Separation of Powers which defines and delineates the functions and powers of each arm of Government. Thus far we in the executive have restricted ourselves to our Constitutional roles.
“Therefore I, as the President, and we as the Executive arm of Government will not interfere in the functions, functioning and process of the Legislature nor the Judiciary.
“In the same vein, I urge other arms of Government to please appraise and ensure that each action conceived and taken by it is in strict accord with its constitutionally limited powers.
“I urge you as Legislators and the Legislature to take out time and communicate with your constituents and other Nigerians the policies of the Government which are based on Laws approved by the National Assembly.”
