Senate Chambers

The Senate on Wednesday vowed tackle the Presidency over claims by Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi, that National Assembly refused to approved foreign loan for rail projects.

In a statement by its Spokesman, Sen. Aliyu Abdullahi, on Wednesday in Abuja, the senate said that Amaechi alleged that the non-approval of the loan was frustrating construction of Lagos-Ibadan, Ibadan-Ilorin-Minna-Kano rail lines.

It said that the minister’s claim was not only false but misrepresenting and contradictory to available facts.

It insisted that the minister must withdraw the claim which was made at the North Central Town Hall meeting in Ilorin on Monday.

The senate expressed disappointment that such statement could come from a cabinet member, adding that it was evident he was not in tune with the position of the government he was serving, on the matter.

“As at today, the only request for approval from the executive for loan was the one dated Jan. 27, 2017 and signed by Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.

“The request was seeking a `resolution of National Assembly for Issuance of one billion Euro Bond in the International Capital Market for funding of 2016 Budget Deficit’ and we immediately granted the approval.

“Also, in the letter quoted above, the Government mentioned the two rail lines cited by the minister as part of the projects for which the Euro Bond will be utilised.

“So, we do not understand what the grouse of Mr Amaechi is.

“We view that statement based on false and misinformed premise strongly as a mere attempt to incite the people against the National Assembly,’’ it said.

The senate further said that “as a former Speaker of a state House of Assembly, we believe that a minister like Amaechi should always check his facts and refrain from making unguarded and inciting remarks against the legislature.

“What Nigeria needs at this point is for all arms of government to work together and create the synergy necessary to take Nigeria out of the present economic crisis we have found ourselves.

“Comments designed to infuriate one arm of government or incite the people against another arm of the government will do no one any good’’. (NAN)