Senators at deficit over Buhari’s Emergency Powers Bill

Senators are at a deficit on what’s contained in the proposed Emergency Economic Stabilisation Power Bill 2016 by President Muhammadu Buhari and are refusing to be committed to its passage until it is officially introduced on the floor of the Senate.

However, the spokesman of the House of Representatives, Abdulrasak Namdas, on behalf of his colleagues, expressed support for any move that would bring back the economy from the brinks of collapse.

Most senators contacted by Independent denied knowledge of the content of the emergency power bill said to have been conceptualised by the presidency to give sweeping powers to the president to source money and stimulate the country’s ailing economy.

Majority of the senators declined any comments at all on the issue while a few that opted to talk about it merely said it was not the appropriate time to speak.

Ali Ndume, the Senate leader, when contacted for his comments said it is not right to comment on a subject he does not have a good grasp of yet.

“I cannot comment on what is not with us here in the Senate and by extension, the National Assembly yet”, he said.

Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, a PDP member representing Abia North Senatorial zone, also said that he was not yet privy to the report on the president’s proposed bill.

“To be sincere, I am not aware of what you are saying. However, I plead that you give me some time to go through the papers that pick the report before making comment,” he said.

Senator Sunday Ogbuoji, another PDP member representing Ebonyi Central Senatorial zone, said he could only react to the proposed bill after going through the report, asking the reporter to avail him more time to source for the information before making comment.

“Well, I have not read the document and so, I am not very competent to comment on it for now.

“I think that for now, there’s no need for reaction because as far as I’m concerned, it’s still a mere speculation. I will be competent to make my contribution on that issue when I see the document,” he said.

President Muhammadu Buhari is seeking emergency power from the National Assembly to push his planned stimulus for the economy.

The objectives of the action-plan on the economy, which is in recession, according to the report, included shoring up the value of the naira, creation of more jobs, boosting of foreign reserves, reviving the manufacturing sector and improving power.

However, even as some members of the Houses of Representatives admitted that they have not seen the Bill or known the specifics it will seek to achieve, they nonetheless said they will support it if found worthy.

Speaking to Independent, the chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Abdulrasak Namdas, said that the House will do whatever is necessary to support the president with a view to repositioning the economy, provided it is in the interest of the country.

“Anything that will come from the president will come before the House as a communication that will be read on the floor of the House to the hearing of every member. So by the time the House resumes, I’m sure the president will communicate his intention and we will all look at it, but for now, it still remains a rumour”.

Asked if he as an individual lawmaker would support such a bill that would give emergency power to the president to take certain actions without recourse to the National Assembly, Namdas said, “I’m sure what they are calling emergency powers is ?nothing more than a framework that can enable the government get a firm grip of the economy. However, anything that will come before the National Assembly from the presidency will be in the best interest of the whole nation.

“When we resume and the proposal is brought before the House, the House will look at it and make its inputs in such a way that everybody will be satisfied with regards to our national interest at the end of the day.”

“So we will certainly do what’s expected of us as a House -should the proposal be brought, but in any case, I want to believe that the president has the same interest as we do in making this economy work for everybody”, he said.

Also responding to the same question, chairman, House Committee on Public Petitions, Uzoma Nkem-Abonta, threw his weight behind the proposed move.

Abonta said the 8th House will support the proposed Economic Stabilisation Bill if sent by President Muhammadu Buhari provided it will help grow back the Nigerian economy.

Nkem-Abonta, who represents Ukwa East/West federal constituency of Abia State in the House, said, “Anything that will help move Nigeria forward will be given adequate attention by the House”.

“The point I’m making here is that any executive bill or a private member bill that will get us out of this our present economic debacle will enjoy our support”.