Buhari accuses NASS of padding Promissory Note request by N890m

President Muhammadu Buhari has accused the National Assembly of padding Promissory Notes Programme and debts to be reimbursed to states by the Federal Government by N890.5 million.

In a letter addressed to the Senate President Bukola Saraki and read on the floor at Senate plenary on Tuesday, the President expressed disappointment that while the Federal Executive Council approved a total sum of N487.8 billion as refund to state governments, the National Assembly approved N488.7 billion, thereby increasing the amount by N890.5 billion.

The President also noted that while the Federal Executive Council approved reimbursement to 25 states, National Assembly approved refunds to only 21 States.

He listed the four excluded states to include: Bauchi, Delta, Kogi and Taraba.

This, he said, contravenes the Public Procurement Act, 2007.

Buhari therefore requested the National Assembly to forward details of the excess amount approved by the National Assembly for 17 states, even as he called for review of the reimbursements earlier submitted in favour of the four states.

“The amount approved by National Assembly for reimbursement to each of the 21 States is higher than the amount approved by FEC for each of these States except for Adamawa, Jigawa, Kano and Niger,” he said.

He, however, said the Federal Government would proceed with implementation of the programme on the following basis:

“Where the amount approved by the National Assembly is the same as the amount approved by the Federal Executive Council: The jointly approved amount would be reimbursed. The States are: Adamawa, Jigawa, Kano and Niger;

“Where the amount approved by the National Assembly is higher than the amount approved by Federal Executive Council: The amount approved by FEC would be reimbursed. The States are: Akwa lbom, Anambra, Benue, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Gombe, lmo, Kwara, Lagos, Ondo, Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Plateau and Zamfara; and,

“Where no amount was approved by National Assembly, no reimbursement will be made: The affected States are: Bauchi, Delta, Kogi and Taraba,” he added.

OWEDE AGBAJILEKE, Abuja