Ahead of the 2016 budget presentation by President Muhammadu Buhari to a joint session of the National Assembly today, all staff of the legislative chamber and private business concerns within the premises, have been directed to steer clear of
the Complex.
According to a circular dated December 21, from the office of the Clerk to the National Assembly, Salisu Maikasuwa, the directive is to prevent a rowdy atmosphere during the budget presentation by the President.
The circular signed by the Director, Personnel Management, Mamud Abubakar on behalf of the Clerk, however exempted staff of the National Assembly working in any of the two chambers and security personnel, just as it warned that appropriate punishment would be meted out to any staff found flouting the order.
Business organisations affected by the stay away order include all operators of banks, eateries, airlines, insurance outfits, telecommunication centres, the National Open University Study Centre, amongst others.
The statement entitled: ‘Presentation of 2016 Budget to National Assembly by President Muhammadu Buhari’ reads: “The President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, Muhammadu Buhari, is presenting the 2016 Budget to the National Assembly on Tuesday, December 22, 2015.
“In view of the above, all staff of the National Assembly as well as the operators of Business outfits in the National Assembly Complex with exception of those on esbudgetsential duties e.g, Chamber, Security and Medical Staff are directed to stay away from the NASS complex on 22nd December, 2015.
“Any staff found to have violated this instruction will face appropriate disciplinary action”.
Meanwhile , security operatives have taken over the premises of the National Assembly as of Monday evening, even as staff of the National Assembly were seen making last minute preparations as of 6:37pm, including laying of red carpets from the main entrance in the White House to the House of Representatives Chamber, where the joint session would hold for the budget presentation.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), has urged the National Assembly to make its own share of the budget transparent.
Waheed Odusile, NUJ National President, who made the call to the Senate President, Bukola Saraki during a courtesy visit on Monday, said openness of the National Assembly budgets to Nigerians would go a long way in enhancing its credibility before the public.
According to Odusile, over the years, Nigerians have always been interested in knowing what packages in monetary terms, each member of the National Assembly collects monthly or annually.
“For far too long, we have been hearing negative stories about the National Assembly and we expect the National Assembly to be more open because Nigerians want to know more about your budgets and how they are appropriated,” Odusile told the Senate President.
Responding, Saraki assured that the National Assembly would make open its budget for 2016 to Nigerians as part of its own change agenda anchored on transparency and accountability.
SOURCE
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