N13BN FOR REFRESHMENTS: CACOL, CD threaten mass action against Nat’l Assembly

Following the Senate and the House of Representatives allocation of about N13billion for refreshments, travels and welfare in the 2017 budget, two Civil Societies Organisations (CSOs), have called on Nigerians to rise against the plan by the lawmakers.

The CSOs, Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders and Campaign for Democracy, lambasting the lawmakers in separate statements on Saturday, vowed that the perceived wastefulness must not go ahead without mass protest.

CACOL chairman, Debo Adeniran, said on the matter, “That allocation is a graphic example of how to be insensitive to the plight of the citizens of Nigeria. The lawmakers are cashing in on the people’s docility.

“Nigerians are going to rise up against such wastefulness. These are the people who claim to sit on our behalf at the National Assembly. Our legislators make laws to secure their emoluments and so on.

“If the presidency consciously allows this outrageous budget, then it is an accomplice.

“The National Assembly can reverse itself because we are still in a recession and they should empathise with us.”

In like manner, CD president, Usman Abdul, argued that the country would suffocate if Nigerians did not call to question, such “abnormalities” being perpetrated by the National Assembly.

“It is becoming a norm in our budgetary allocations to have such abnormalities. You have traditional gifts, entertainment and other frivolities in the budget,” he added.

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