The annual budget of the National Assembly has not altered for 13 years despite the effects of inflation and its side effects, which has raised concerns from the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen.
The Speaker said that throughout this time, the federal legislature’s expenses have escalated without equivalent budgetary provisions to support them in a statement released on Wednesday by his Special Advisor on Media and Publicity, Musa Krishi.
In Abuja on Wednesday, a group from the African Business Roundtable led by Mr. Dotun Ajayi, Executive Director (West Africa), paid Abbas a courtesy visit.
“Our budget has been static for 13 years, but expenditures have been rising during this time,” he said. In several cases, the National Assembly budget was actually cut back from 2011 levels.
Abbas emphasized that in order to strengthen ties between the House and other parliaments throughout the world, more than 60 parliamentary friendship committees were established during the 10th House’s mandate.
He said:
“I am pleased to inform you that the House had already taken steps in line with your concerns several months ago. On July 27, we announced the membership of 43 parliamentary friendship committees to explore ways of enhancing our relations, particularly in business and other aspects, with them.
“Two weeks ago, we increased the number from 43 to 65. Just yesterday, we added Serbia, bringing the total to 66,” he mentioned.
Earlier, Ajayi highlighted that the recent coup in Niger Republic has changed the dynamics of engagements between some European countries and West Africa.
He pointed out that Niger’s relations were strained primarily with France in Europe, and the French government was contemplating cutting all forms of assistance to West Africa due to the coup.
“The president has been involved in certain diplomatic efforts behind the scenes on this matter. The parliament needs to visibly collaborate with him on this. Our Parliament should engage the French Parliament and the EU,” he suggested.
He also noted that the European Union had allocated 20 billion Euros for Sub-Saharan Africa, stating, “We aim to see a situation where your engagement enhances what comes to Nigeria.”