- House cautions members, committees against bribery
By Damilola Oyedele in Abuja 

The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation, Hon. Jibrin Abdulmumim, has said the National Assembly is constitutionally empowered to amend budget proposals of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government as it deems fit. “Therefore to allege that lawmakers deliberately increase budgets of some MDAs to enrich themselves in scrupulous arrangements is insulting to the legislature.”
Abdulmumim spoke against the backdrop of revelations that some committees in previous assemblies had increased appropriations to certain MDAs in what is described as padding, pocketing the extra monies after the allocations have been released.
Speaking to THISDAY, he explained that the budget proposal, since it is not yet an Act, gives room for flexibility and adjustment of figures when necessary.
“Sometimes, figures do not tally, in such instances, we pick out this and that, and ensure that they are properly reflected or cleared away from the budget.
Speaking to THISDAY, he explained that the budget proposal, since it is not yet an Act, gives room for flexibility and adjustment of figures when necessary.
“Sometimes, figures do not tally, in such instances, we pick out this and that, and ensure that they are properly reflected or cleared away from the budget.
“This time around, the committees of the House are all doing a very thorough job because they are engaging the MDAs at the moment and I am sure wherever there are such issues, they will be able to deal with it,” he said.
“We always take exception when people say the National Assembly pads the budget, it is a complete insult to us. What comes from the Executive is a proposal, and it is the N’Assembly that is constitutionally empowered to pass the budget. We have the constitutional power to move and amend, the way we deem fit, in a manner that would be in the interest of Nigerians and the budget will be implementable. The issue of padding should not even come up,” Abdulmumim added.
Meanwhile, as the scrutiny of the 2016 budget proposal continues this week, the House has cautioned its members and committees to avoid any breach of the provisions of the House Code of Conduct, particularly as it concerns bribery and abuse of office.
The Chairman of the Committee on Ethics and Privileges, Hon. Ossai Nicholas Ossai, in a notice to all the members cited chapters 4 (A) (B) and (C) of the House Code.
“We always take exception when people say the National Assembly pads the budget, it is a complete insult to us. What comes from the Executive is a proposal, and it is the N’Assembly that is constitutionally empowered to pass the budget. We have the constitutional power to move and amend, the way we deem fit, in a manner that would be in the interest of Nigerians and the budget will be implementable. The issue of padding should not even come up,” Abdulmumim added.
Meanwhile, as the scrutiny of the 2016 budget proposal continues this week, the House has cautioned its members and committees to avoid any breach of the provisions of the House Code of Conduct, particularly as it concerns bribery and abuse of office.
The Chairman of the Committee on Ethics and Privileges, Hon. Ossai Nicholas Ossai, in a notice to all the members cited chapters 4 (A) (B) and (C) of the House Code.
In the notice obtained by THISDAY, Ossai warned members not to put themselves in a position where their personal interest conflicts with their official duties, or use their positions for financial or personal gain.
The notice warned against accepting gratification on behalf of a committee, the House leadership or another member, and against informal and unofficial relations and contacts with Ministers or Heads of MDAs under their oversight jurisdiction.
“As the legislative arm of government and the representative of the great people of Nigeria, we have an obligation to support the Executive arm of government and fully participate in the current fight against corruption…we, as usual, must be seen to be above board and must lead by example,” it read.
The notice warned against accepting gratification on behalf of a committee, the House leadership or another member, and against informal and unofficial relations and contacts with Ministers or Heads of MDAs under their oversight jurisdiction.
“As the legislative arm of government and the representative of the great people of Nigeria, we have an obligation to support the Executive arm of government and fully participate in the current fight against corruption…we, as usual, must be seen to be above board and must lead by example,” it read.
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