SAN FRANCISCO, July 05, (THEWILL) – The lawmaker representing Gombe Central, Senator Danjuma Goje, has advised the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola to honourably tender his resignation letter if the work is too much for him.
He stated this on the floor of the Senate on Wednesday while drawing the attention of his colleagues to some critical comments Fashola made about the 2017 budget.
THEWILL had reported Fashola as bemoaning National Assembly’s insertion of projects outside the purview of the ministry he heads to the 2017 Appropriation Bill.
He identified Primary Health Centers as among such alien projects that would short funds needed to execute the core mandate of the ministry of power, works and housing in the fiscal year.
The minister stated that it was unfair to the Executive arm of government for such projects to find their way into the appropriation bill after public hearings on the budget and defence of the fiscal estimates by federal ministries have been concluded.
Reacting to this statement, Goje said it was aimed at misleading the Nigerian public, as well as portraying the National Assembly in bad light over the 2017 budget.
According to him, “Initially I wanted to come under motion but because, yesterday the house of reps took up the matter, since we are on the same page with the house, I feel I should not come under the motion.
“But I will like to use this opportunity to advise the minister, that he should remember that he is now a minister and he should behave like a minister.
“He is not a governor and this national assembly is not Lagos state house of assembly. This is an assembly composed of very patriotic Nigerians, very experienced Nigerians. Many have done his job, many were governors before him.
“Fashola should know that he is dealing with the national assembly of Nigeria. If the job is too much for him, because the ministry is too big – it comprises of three ministries, probably the job is too much for him. If he cannot adjust, he should do the honourable thing, he should do the needful.
“No matter of blackmail by him, no amount of propaganda by him or his surrogate will stop this national assembly to discharge its duties in accordance with the provisions of the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria.”
The Senator however stated that he would hold his fire for now since the House of Representatives had summoned him over the issue, stressing that “If they are not satisfied and they pass him to us. Then we will take him over”.
In his remark, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki said the upper legislative chamber would await the outcome of the matter at the Green Chamber before taking any other action.
“I happy that the House of Reps is taking up this issue. I think it is a matter that we must be responsible, especially those who are in the cabinet to look at issues from the national point of view and the interest of all Nigerians.
“We would definitely wait for his appearance at the house of representatives before further contribution,” he said.
