Senate committed to good governance, Saraki replies Obasanjo
By; Jacob Onjewu Dickson
President of the Senate, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki has assured former President Olusegun Obasanjo that the NASS is committed to good governance.
In a statement he personally signed on Thursday morning, Saraki said that the Senate is in tune with current realities and would ensure accountability in all its dealings.
“Yesterday, I acknowledged that I received 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,” he said.
Saraki explained that being transparent is of even greater importance during a tough fiscal period for the country.
“Like I said during my closing address at the plenary after our debate on the 2016 Budget, 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, nay 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 so that we can ensure the budget leads to the realization of the policy objectives of the Buhari Administration. Again, let me reiterate my position in the speech I made this morning on the need for us to work towards blocking all areas of revenue leakages while also strengthening the anti-corruption agencies so that the little resources that are now available will serve the interest of the overwhelming majority,” he explained.
He said that as a former President and a father of the nation that they all hold in high esteem, he intends to reply the letter and outline the actions the Senate is taking to address his concerns.
“In conclusion, 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 advise where necessary,” he informed.
