Posted by From GABRIEL DIKE, Osogbo on
A member of the National Assembly Constitution Review Committee and Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator Iyiola Omisore on Monday dashed the hopes of Nigerians clamouring for the creation of more states and local government councils when he denied that the CRC has recommended 12 additional states.
A member of the National Assembly Constitution Review Committee and Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator Iyiola Omisore on Monday dashed the hopes of Nigerians clamouring for the creation of more states and local government councils when he denied that the CRC has recommended 12 additional states.
Answering questions from newsmen in Ile-Ife while distributing poverty alleviation items worth millions of naira to people of Osun East Senatorial District, Senator Omisore who described a newspaper report (not The Sun) as false said the committee has not even met for one day.
His words: 'I can categorically tell you people that the members of the constitution review committee have not held a single meeting for one day not to talk of agreeing to create 12 additional states'.
Senator Omisore who described the story as a rumor which should not be taken serious advised Nigerians to disregard the news report that the CRC has agreed to create 12 new states.
On the 2009 budget passed by the Senate, the Appropriation Committee chairman said for the first time in the history of the country, over 30 per cent revenue would be expected from non Oil sector of the economy.
According to him, the 30 per cent revenue from non Oil sector is an indication that Nigeria is moving towards breaking the monopoly of Crude Oil as the major source of the nation's revenue while hoping that by next year, the situation would have improved.
Senator Omisore revealed that due to the fluctuation in Oil price at the International market and the pegging of the 2009 budget at 45 dollars per barrel, funds from the Excess Crude Account would be used to cushion the effect on the economy.
He admitted that 2008 budget was not implemented to the letter by the executive arm due to several factors and that because of the situation, the Senate decided to pass the 2009 appropriation early to allow for proper execution.
The chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation also put the budget requirements of ministries, parastatals and agencies for 2009 at three trillion but that due to competing needs as well as lack of resources, they would not get the figures.
The senator representing Osun East Senatorial District said all unspent budget 2008 are expected to be returned to government coffers latest by December 31 by ministries, parastatals and agencies and would be reallocated.
Speaking on the distribution of poverty alleviation materials to the people of his Senatorial district, Senator Omisore said that it was a means of opening interaction with the electorate of his constituency.
Among the poverty alleviation materials distributed to the electorate, include 214 motorcycles, 107 grinding machines, 107 generators while he earmarked N200million as microfinance credit loan facility for artisans, market women, traders and others.
He disclosed that work has began on the construction of boreholes, dams and power supply in various wards in the Senatorial district and commended the administration of Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola for achievements recorded in the state.
In his address, the Deputy Chairman of PDP, Barrister Sunday Ojo Williams who stood in for the chairman, Alhaji Ademola Rasaq commended Senator Omisore for bringing the dividends of democracy to the people.