Uproar as Senate probes implementation of SIP, SURE-P Programmes

There was uproar in the upper chamber of the National Assembly on Wednesday as senators held divergent views along parties line on Federal Government’s implementation of the Special Intervention Programme (SIP) fund.

The Senate consequently resolved to set up a non-partisan ad-hoc Committee to look into avtivities of the SIP as being implemented by President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.

To head the Committee is Senator Ibrahim Gobir (Sokoto East). Others are Dino Melaye (Kogi West), Mathew Urhogide (Edo South), Shehu Sani (Kaduna Central), Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South), and Gbenga Ashafa (Lagos East).

The lawmakers also extend the mandate of the Committee to probing the Subsidy Reinvestment Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) under the former President Goodluck Jonathan-led administration of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

This followed the debate of a motion by the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Biodun Olujimi (PDP, Ekiti) , who alleged politicisation of the Special Intervention Fund by the APC government.

Coming under Order 43, Olujimi alleged that fund were being allotted to people loyal to the APC and party cronnies at various levels of government.

Buttressing her point, she showed certain forms purportedly printed for the Intervention Programme on which PVC number of beneficiaries were requested while specifically read out an inscription “I Stand For Buhari” on one of such forms that required opening of account with Access Bank Plc

Quering the rationale behind the scheme, she said “using of our collective fund for political reasons should be questioned. The money that should be for the entire nation is being used to buy PVC. This is an election year and we know the motive behind this”.

Olujinmi called for inauguration of a non-partisan Committee to look into the issue.

The recognition of the Senate Leader, Senator Ahmed Lawan (APC, Yobe) by Senate President, Bukola Saraki, to speak immediately after Olujimi drew uproar and Senator Dino Melaye (PDP, Kogi West) was allowed to talk

and he said Saraki shouldn’t have allowed Lawan to bring a dissenting position because a subsisting motion on ground needed to be seconded before a debate can be allowed on the motion.

Senator Akpan Bassey (Akwa Ibom North East) cited Order 55, saying the Senate President should have allowed speeches for the motion first before speeches against the motion.

But the Senate President ruled them out of order, insisting that Lawan should be heard.

Lawan defended the implementation of the SIP by the Buhari administration. He said: “It is computer based, transparent and full proof system under which Nigerians can access fund irrespective of location, party affiliations or tribe”.

The Senate Leader said Olujimi’s complaint was not peculiar to the APC government as previous social intervention programmes like the SURE-P were used for political patronage.

“What she was referring to is not an allegation. I know how SURE-P was messed up”, said Lawan, who suggested that Olujimi should send the acclaimed forms to a non-partisan Committee to investigate.

While the first prayer of constituting a non-partisan ad-hoc Committee to investigate implementation of the SIP was adopted, a second prayer by Senator Bala Jibrin (APC, Kano East) that the ad-hoc Committee should also investigate the implementation of the SURE-P under PDP administration was also adopted.