The Presidency said yesterday that the $1 billion approved by the National Economic Council (NEC) for the federal government to procure military equipment “is currently undergoing the normal legislative process at the National Assembly.” Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Mr. Ita Enang, disclosed this while briefing State House correspondents in Abuja. He said it was not possible for the President to approve release of such money without following due process, stressing that the “President follows due process in the running of the affairs of the country.” He said: “In response to several issues raised about Security Fund sourced for at source from Excess Crude account to combat Security challenges in the country and the several misreading attending same, may l state as follows: That the said sum has not and cannot be approved for spending by Mr. President.
“That in accordance with best practices, Mr. President, having received approval of sum from National Economic Council made up of all the Governors, now had a meeting with the Minister of Defence, Service Chiefs and the Inspector-General of Police, among others to collate the need of each of the Services and the money available for appropriation.
“That Mr. President and the meeting having collated the need of each Service and the amount involved may now present same to the Federal Executive Council for detailed Consideration, or in exercise of Presidential powers may communicate same to the National Assembly for appropriation. “That this may be done as usual upon Mr. President Consulting prior with the Leadership of the National Assembly through the whole body of principal officers or the presiding officers of each chambers only, before originating the communication to the National Assembly.”
Continuing, he said: “That as at now, the process of approving the money for use is inchoate and still undergoing Executive standard operating procedure before laying same before the National Assembly for appropriation.
“That the processes now being worked on are to fast-track the procedures so that it may be forwarded to the National Assembly Chief of Army Staff , Lt.-General Tukur Buratai (middle), in group photograph with the members of Investigative Committee on the Allegations of Connivance of Troops on Exercise “Cat Race” with Criminal Elements in Taraba state, during their inauguration, in Abuja yesterday Photo: Musa Umar Bologi while it is still considering the 2018 Appropriation Bill (Budget) for incorporation as Mr. President’s supplementary request under the 2018 Budget, or if completed, after the 2018 Budget, it may be forwarded as supplementary Appropriation Bill. That succinctly stated, Mr. President has not approved the sum for any release of this procurement or application howsoever.”
