The Guardian - THE House of Representatives yesterday condemned an alleged embargo placed by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on the award of contracts for projects provided for in the 2010 Budget.
Adopting a motion sponsored by the Chairman of its Committee on Rules and Business, Ita Enang, the House said that it "condemns this decision of the Federal Executive Council as a breach of the second Appropriation Amendment Act, 2010."
The lower chamber equally "urged President Goodluck Jonathan, the FEC and Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to continue the implementation of the second 2010 Appropriation Amendment Act by accepting and considering memoranda for award of contracts and awarding contracts under the said Appropriation Act up to and including the 31st of March, 2011".
The motion, which enjoyed the support of overwhelming number of lawmakers, essentially drew the attention of the House to an alleged closing of budget implementation by FEC last week.
Defending the motion earlier, Enang noted that the President had sought the extension of 2010 capital budget implementation to March 31, which had been granted.
He said: "But the House is aware that FEC at its meeting of Wednesday, February 2, 2011, the council is reported to have placed an embargo on presentation and consideration of memoranda on award of contracts for projects in the 2010 budget and indeed further implementation of the 2010 Appropriation Act in respect of projects within the competence of the Federal Executive Council."
The lawmaker said that the most disturbing issue was that "projects within the competence of Ministerial Tenders Board and Sundries are still being selectively and discretely considered and awarded by the MDAs."
In his own contribution to the debate on the matter, Leo Ogor (PDP, Delta State) said the alleged closure of budget implementation by FEC bordered on the collective interests of lawmakers' constituents.
According to him, the issue was worsened by the fact that the Executive arm of government had only implemented 30 per cent of the capital aspect of the 2010 budget.
Also yesterday, the House announced the election of Femi Gbajabiamila of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) from Lagos State as its new Minority Leader.
Similarly, Kawu Sumaila of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) from Kano State as the new Minority Whip of the House.
Nelson Alakpa of the ANPP from Benue State became the new Deputy Minority Whip.
Vacancies in the minority leadership of the House were made possible when the former Minority Leader, Mohammed Ali Ndume, defected from the ANPP to the PDP last December.
Source: Reps decry alleged embargo on budget execution (http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=38159:reps-decry-alleged-embargo-on-budget-execution-&catid=1:national&Itemid=559)