The House of Representatives yesterday did a surprising volte-face to pass the controversial N98.4 billion virement requested by President Goodluck Jonathan,.<\/span><\/p>\n The House had stood the virement down on October 30 on the premise that it was fraudulent, coming just a few months to the end of the fiscal year.<\/span><\/p>\n However, the bill hurriedly passed through second reading on the floor of the House after a one hour closed session by the members amid allegations that the lawmakers received N2 billion from the Presidency to pass it.<\/span><\/p>\n The leadership of the House of Representatives, however, denied the collection of a N2 billion bribe to smoothen the passage of the N98.4billion virement for nine ministries.<\/span><\/p>\n Speaker AminuTambuwal, announced after the Executive session that security issues were discussed at the closed door session.<\/span> Some of the aggrieved lawmakers during the previous presentation of the virement request had kicked against the debate on the 27-page proposal, which showed the virement of contentious money appropriated in the 2011 Appropriation Act in the document generated by the Federal Ministry of Finance.<\/span><\/p>\n These include N25,676,910 for maintenance of horses; N29,068,200 for maintenance of dogs; N10,658,340 for maintenance of the Police Band; N995,524,472 for fuelling of motor vehicles, with additional\u00a0 N1.08 billion for vehicle\/transport; N945,540,000 for local travel and transport; N484.47 million for electricity bill; N1.944 billion for uniforms and other clothing as well as N520.33 million for stationery\/computer consumables and N137.394 million for food stuff\/catering material supplies in the Police budget.<\/span><\/p>\n President Jonathan, in a letter sent to the Speaker, explained that the virement will help focus on some key priority areas of his adminstration.<\/span><\/p>\n Speaking in support of the virement, John Enoh, chairman, House Committee on Appropriation,explained that it will go a long way in the implementation of the Appropriation.<\/span><\/p>\n He noted that over 7,000 projects had been abandoned across the country.<\/span> The Speaker, however, noted that in the past, the Executive did not seek the National Assembly\u2019s approval before diverting money.<\/span>
After the virement proposal was presented by House Leader Mulikat Adeola, it passed through second reading with all the members, who had opposed the proposal backing its passage.<\/span><\/p>\n
Tambuwal, who presided over yesterday\u2019s plenary, referred the bill to the House Committee on Appropriation and other relevant committees for further legislative input.<\/span><\/p>\n
House spokesman Zakari Mohammed denying the N2 billion bribery allegation after plenary, said: \u201cAs far as I\u2019m concerned, I\u2019ve not received anything. I\u2019ve not seen it. I\u2019ve not collected it. So, it\u2019s far from it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n