$29.bn loan: Give us more time to consult – House of Reps

The Federal Government’s request for approval of $29.9 billion 2016-2018 external borrowing (rolling) plan is yet to be considered by the Green Chamber because the House is still consulting on the matter.

Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs Abdulrazak Namdas, who said this in a chat recently added that the House has not thrown the request away as assumed in some quarters.

The lawmaker, who said: “We’re taking our time,” explained that communications from the President could not be treated with levity and that the loans request “must be treated”.

The $ 29.9 billion loan request has been rejected by the Senate for lacking details.

The loan has also come under criticism from the South East Caucus in the House, which complained that their zone has not been listed as one of the beneficiaries.

The spokesman said: “The last time, I told you that this thing (the loan request), we’re still making some consultations. That is why it has not come up officially for discussion in the House. We are also mindful of what is happening in the Senate.

“As I told you the last time, if the Presidency wants to furnish the Senate with details, I will be very sure that we will also be given details, because this is not exclusive to the Senate or the House of Representatives.

“For anything to happen officially to pass the bill, both Houses must be on the same page.

“But as I said, if the Senate has done something that has put this thing on hold, even if we debate it, can’t we also get details? We also need details.

“But the point that I’m making is that, although we have not come out to say: give us details, but we’re also looking at what is happening in the Senate. And I’m sure that by the time they provide the details, we also need those details.

“But I can assure you that any communication from the President, we take it with seriousness.”

On the statement from the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives) Suleiman Kawu, that the Green Chamber will approve the borrowing plan of the President for the $29.9 billion foreign loan, Namdas said: “The Senior Special Assistant’s job is to liaise with us; he’s doing a good job. So, we cannot stop him from trying to be positive about the whole thing.

“We will also see that these things will be done. But we will ask few questions. But that can only be done, if we have finished with the consultations.

“I will wish that you people should give us some time, we cannot throw away the communications from the President; it must be discussed.”