About 58 Senators from the Northern part of the country, on Monday in Abuja alleged that projections and provisions of the N28.7 trillion 2024 budget, are skewed against the North, just as they kicked against the planned relocation of some federal agencies to Lagos.
The Senators in a statement signed by their spokesperson, Senator Suleiman Kawu Summaila (NNPP Kano South) however said they are ready to dialogue with the executive for reversal of the alleged lopsidedness.
The lawmakers in the statement titled” Allocation and distribution of funds in 2024 National Budget and Relocation of some Federal Agencies to Lagos”, made it clear that “As representatives of the people at the national level (Senate), we are committed to addressing the concerns and feelings of our constituents regarding certain decisions and policies put forth by the federal government.
“In particular, lopsidedness in the distribution and allocation of resources in the 2024 budget, relocation of some federal agencies from Abuja to Lagos are seriously viewed by us as disturbing,” they added.
Announcing their readiness to resolve the issue diplomatically, the lawmakers said: “We understand the importance of fostering a harmonious relationship between the government and its citizens, and it is in this spirit that we are announcing our collective efforts to seek an amicable resolution to these pressing issues, within the confines of our constitution and existing laws.
“We are assuring our constituents that we have taken their concerns seriously and are actively engaging with our colleagues in order to address these matters effectively. We firmly believe in the power of open dialogue and collaboration to bring about positive change for our nation.
According to the statement, the Northern Senators stated that: ” We recognize the significance of our role as a bridge between the people and their government, and it is with great responsibility and dedication that we undertake this task.
“We acknowledge that our constituents have shown great patience and trust in our abilities thus far. It is now our turn to ask for their continued support and understanding during this critical juncture”
They urged their constituents to remain patient as “we diligently explore avenues for dialogues, engage in peaceful negotiations, and deploy legal measures where necessary”.
The N28 .7trillion 2024 budget was approved by the National Assembly on the 30th of December, 2023 and assented to , by President Bola Tinubu on Monday, January 1, 2024.
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