SARAKI
….Wants
teacher’s salaries transferred to capital vote
The Senate
will recommend immediate removal from office ministers and other presidential
aides who fail to measure up in the Federal Government’s efforts to exit the
country from economic recession, Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has
said.
Saraki also
said that the upper chamber would invite on resumption next week, all those
involved in the management of the economy to tell Nigerians what steps they
were taking to rescue the economy from recession.
Statement by
the Special Adviser (Media and Publicity) to the Senate President, Yusuph
Olaniyonu said that Saraki spoke during an interactive Town Hall meeting on
Sunday tagged ‘#AskSaraki’, which was organized for constituents of his Kwara
Central Senatorial district, as part of the activities to mark the Eid-el-Kabir
celebrations.
Saraki was
quoted to have said, “Those of us that you have elected into office are aware
of the difficult economic situation in our country. We know we have to find a
solution as fast as possible. We have no option. Once the Senate resumes, we
will invite all those involved in the management of the economy to explain to
the people what they are doing to solve the problem. Whoever among them does
not measure up to expectation in his or her explanation we will recommend that
he should be removed. This is time for co-operation and exchange of ideas.”
It said that
Saraki who gave account of his stewardship as both Senator representing Kwara
Central District and the Chairman of the 8th National Assembly emphasized that
a concerted legislative and policy thrust from both the National Assembly and
the executive arms was needed to bring Nigeria out of recession.
“As things
stand, I understand your concerns and feel your pains about the economy. “I
assure you that we will work together to bring about legislative and policy
solutions to address the lingering economic situation,” Saraki was quoted to
have said.
It said that
Saraki answered questions from citizens and community leaders representing
various interests in the state, primarily about the economic recession,
unemployment rates, and his legislative stewardship throughout the 8th
Assembly, highlighting his advocacy and lawmaking activities which have brought
about the passage of bills like the Public Procurement Act amendment, aimed at
giving local producers and service providers first-option priority in
government procurement process and the championing of the Made in Nigeria
campaign.
Saraki was
also quoted to have said, “What we have done with your mandate at the National
Assembly is to push for bills and initiatives that will put more money in your
pockets.
“With the
amendment of the Public Procurement Act, more entrepreneurs from Kwara and
across the country will be able to participate in the government’s procurement
process, and the ‘Made in Nigeria’ campaign will boost the internally generated
revenues of both our state and the Federal government.”
The Senate
President further insisted that a concerted approach of both the legislature
and the executive is needed to combat the lingering economic crisis, while
underscoring the importance of seeing obstacles like the recession as
opportunities to focus inwards to achieve economic diversification and better
fiscal management.
He said, “I
assure you, when the National Assembly resumes, we will all work together to
achieve legislative and policy solutions to the lingering economic situation.
We understand that no one branch of government can solve this crisis alone.”
The Senate
President explained that he understood the impact of the economic crisis in the
lives of the people and that he would work with other people in government to
find quick solution to the problem.
While calling
for patience and understanding from the people, he said the current situation
calls for urgent and constant dialogue between the people in government and the
electorate as nobody is happy with the current situation.
He said, “I
appreciate our people. I empathize with you and I am genuinely concerned and
disturbed about what our people are going through. The situation is grim enough
for you to ignore our invitation to this event. Let it be known that I will
never take your support for granted. We will not disappoint you. The growth of
the economy is my major pre-occupation and that of the Senate.”
Saraki also
advocated that teacher’s salaries should be made an item in the capital
expenditure in the budget of states and Federal Governments to ensure its
prompt payment to beneficiaries.
The statement
said that Saraki reiterated that he has always said that teacher’s salaries are
one of the priorities that must not be neglected.
It said that
the Senate President explained that due to the importance of prompt payment of
teacher’s salaries, governments at state and federal levels should consider
making it a line item in the national and state budgets into capital
expenditures.
He noted that
that will ensure that education is always a matter of greatest importance and
teacher’s salaries are always promptly paid.
It said that
Saraki added that it is useless to put building of classrooms and provision of
laboratory equipment in capital expenditure when the teachers who will teach
students are not paid and therefore not happy.
THE NATION
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