The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has explained to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu how Nigerians seek lawmakers’ intervention as the country’s economic situation worsens.
According to him, since they are his (Tinubu’s) eyes in their various constituencies, their people run to them for help even when they find it difficult to buy rice in the market.
Henzodaily reports that Akpabio stated this on Wednesday in his address when President Tinubu presented the 2025 budget proposal of ₦47.9 trillion before the joint session of the National Assembly.
Akpabio reiterated that members of the National Assembly in both chambers will continue to be Tinubu’s eyes across the country, saying ‘While you cannot be everywhere, you have eyes everywhere.”
“We, the Distinguished Senators and Honourable Members of the House of Representatives, are your eyes in our constituencies and every corner of Nigeria. When our constituents struggle to afford rice, they come to us. When their shoes pinch, they seek our assistance. When the economic alarm sounds, they turn to us.
“Therefore, we are committed to ensuring that you touch the hearts and pulse of Nigerians through these Appropriation Bills resonating with the sounds of hope and signalling the dawn of Nigeria’s economic rebirth,” the Senate President said.
Henzodaily reports that the Senate President commended Tinubu for his achievements within 18 months in office, saying Nigerians were aware of the country’s progress so far.
“Nigerians are taking notice of your remarkable achievements: you have doubled aggregate government revenues to over N18.32 trillion, reduced debt servicing expenditures from 97% to 68%, fulfilled $7.5 billion in foreign exchange obligations, increased oil production to 1.8 million barrels per day, and launched the Compressed Natural Gas initiative.
“Your administration has processed over N45.6 billion for student payments, signed the National Minimum Wage Law, and raised the national minimum wage to N70,000 a month, all while providing over N570 billion in financial support to the 36 states,” he pointed out.
Akpabio assured the President of a swift evaluation of the 2025 Appropriation Bills to pass them on time.
He added: “As expected, we will ensure that due process is followed in passing these bills. We will do what is right and justifiable, conducting public hearings to ensure that the voices of Nigerians resonate within the budget, for all budgets belong to the people. If public sentiment necessitates adjustments to specific allocations, we will respond accordingly, ensuring that such actions are not misconstrued as padding.”