Saturday, November 23

Saraki Explains Senate’s Transparency Agenda to Obasanjo

Senate President Bukola Saraki, said that the senate under his leadership was committed to good governance, transparency, accountability,

due process and responsiveness to the economic reality of the nation.

These he said in response to a letter from former President Olusegun Obasanjo, to both the senate president and the speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, in which the National Assembly was accused of corruption, greed, impunity and lawlessness.

Mr. Obasanjo alleged that most members of the 469-member National Assembly were receiving constituency allowances without maintaining constituency offices as the law requires of them.

In Mr. Saraki’s statement, obtained from his media office on Thursday, the senate president assured that the Senate under his leadership was committed to good governance, transparency, accountability, due process and responsiveness to the economic reality of our nation.

The statement Reads:

“Yesterday, I acknowledged receipt of a letter from former President Olusegun Obasanjo in which he called the attention of the National Assembly to some issues.

“I will want to assure President Obasanjo that the leadership and membership of the 8th Senate are committed to good governance, transparency, accountability, due process and responsiveness to the economic reality of our nation.

“It is for this reason that the legislative chamber has introduced bold and progressive reforms in the management of the finances of the National Assembly.

“This is of even greater importance during a tough fiscal period for our country.

“Like I said, the Senate must lead by example in terms of our own funding, budgets and accountability; showing, beyond doubt, value for money.

“I have canvassed that we must lay bare the budget of the Senate, the National Assembly and its affiliated institutions.

“I equally canvassed the need to strengthen the capacity of the legislative institution to carry our effective oversight of the executive arm.

“That way, we can ensure the budget leads to the realisation of the policy objectives of the Buhari Administration.

“I appreciate President Obasanjo for his consistent role in always reminding those of us in government about our responsibilities to the general public and offering timely advice where necessary,’’ he said.

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