Again, Reps shun Jonathan’s $1bn loan request

As the House of Representatives resumed today from their 2-months annual recess, there was no mention of the President Goodluck Jonathan’s $1 billion loan request on the lawmakers’ opening day schedule. This is coming when both chambers of the National Assembly assured before their resumption that due to the escalating security situation in the country, […]

As the House of Representatives resumed today from their 2-months annual recess, there was no mention of the President Goodluck Jonathan’s $1 billion loan request on the lawmakers’ opening day schedule.

This is coming when both chambers of the National Assembly assured before their resumption that due to the escalating security situation in the country, the $1bn request would receive first attention of the lawmakers as they return to the chambers.

The House had earlier overlooked the request on Thursday July 17, the day they closed for the annual recess, meaning the letter would have to wait until after their recess.

The president had sent to the House a request letter for the approval of $1 billion for the purchase and upgrade of military hardwires 48 hours before they embarked on their annual recess.

The president said the money, when granted, would be used towards the fight against insurgency in the country, and upgrade security weapons of the Nigerian military.

Jonathan, in a letter titled “Tackling ongoing security challenges: Need for urgent action,” said due to the ongoing security challenges, there was the need “to upgrade the equipment.” 

But the Order Paper of the House, which contains their daily plenary activities, only mentioned four bills and seven consideration of reports of the public petitions committee, without indication for debate on the proposed loan request.