The Senate Wednesday stated that the embarrassment caused by roof leakages at the White House segment of the National Assembly during heavy downpour of Tuesday has vindicated earlier request of N37 billion for rehabilitation of the complex built 26 years ago.
After the Tuesday downpour, the media was awash with alleged flooded National Assembly which some said delayed commencement of proceedings despite N37 billion appropriated for rehabilitation of the complex in the 2020 fiscal year.
Angered by the report by one of the National Television stations, the Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi (APC Niger North), drew attention of senators to it in plenary Wednesday.
Senator Abdullahi rose through orders 14 and 15 of the Senate standing rules and alleged breach of privileges of Senators and the National Assembly by the report . He said it was scandalously copied and reported by many of the social media platforms and bloggers.
He stated further that, “Mr. President, Distinguished colleagues, yesterday, Abuja experienced rainfall and the issue of the rainfall which was heavy, was reported in various media.
“However, when I listened to the reportage on the Channels Television yesterday, there were many issues that were raised in their report that I felt has impinged upon my privilege and, perhaps, the privilege of my colleagues.
“In that report yesterday, Mr. President, distinguished colleagues, three things were reported which were very inaccurate: that there was heavy downpour or leakage even in the chamber. That was not correct.
“There was leakage of course around the premises, outside the chamber and, also, it was reported that because of that leakage it delayed our sitting. That, also, was not correct.
“Thirdly, Mr. President, distinguished colleagues, and the most critical was that they reported the leadership as approving the sum of N37 billion for rehabilitation of the complex. This is farther from the truth.
“As we all know, the leadership of course, noticed the level of dilapidation and the need for rehabilitation of the National Assembly complex which led to the N37 billion appropriation for the 2020 fiscal year, but it was later cut to N9 billion.
“The N9 billion was a budgetary vote for the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), being the agency maintaining the National Assembly.
“The entire report was done to denigrate our integrity and to actually impugn on whatever it is that we stand for, because it is not our responsibility to maintain the facilities in the National Assembly.
“The report was a bad one as far as the image of we, the federal lawmakers are concerned, but the leakage was clear vindication of N37billion request made for renovation of the National Assembly complex in 2019.”
In his remarks, President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, described the report as irresponsible, adding that the media should seek clarification on matters of interest through proper investigations before filing reports.
He said: “The Channels Television correspondent or reporter here may not be responsible for that, because I know that our press corps members and reporters are in tune with what we do here and what happens around us.
“And they are very patriotic, very genuine and committed to democracy and, therefore, the Senate correspondent of the Channels TV couldn’t have sent that report.
“Let me advise the media, this is irresponsible, seek the truth, investigate properly, come to us, or go to those who you think should know better before you compile and send your reports.
“The fact that there was a leakage to me is a clear testimony, confirmation and vindication of the position of the National Assembly took initially.”
