TheCable

Abdulrazak Namdas, spokesman of the house of representatives, says the lower legislative chamber will hold a public hearing on the 2017 budget between Monday and Wednesday.

Speaking with journalists on Friday, Namdas said the 59 stakeholders had been invited to contribute their views to the budget process.

“By Monday, we are going to have what we call the national budget hearing – a public hearing on the budget. The aim is to make the budget all inclusive for all Nigerians,” he said.

“So far we have written to 59 stakeholders to submit their memorandum and its includes the NLC, TUC, Manufacturing Association of Nigeria, Nigeria Bar Association and several others.

“This is to keep to the promise that for the first time we are going to have a public hearing on the budget. People will be able to provide their opinions and at the end we will have a budget.”

He also refuted reports that national assembly merged some other organisations with the Nigerian peace corps.

“One thing I want to clarify again is that we don’t have any bill known as national unity and peace corps,” he said.

“However, there is a clause that provided that people of great interest, common interest should be accommodated. We will like to quote that particular clause.

“Groups or associations that have similar objectives and have shown or are interested shall be absolved as members of the Nigerian peace corps, subject to be mandatory limited training structure and teaching programme as prescribed from time to time upon the commencement of this act.

“So the national assembly did not merge any organisation with the peace corps.”

He added that 17 out of the 18 bills, which President Muhammadu Buhari had signed so far, came from the house of representatives.

“The national assembly is working and the president is working,” he said.