MEMBERS of the House of Representatives yesterday said their decision to embark on inspection of constituency projects across the country is not to witch-hunt the executive arm of government, but to find out, as people's representatives, what has been happening to approved budgetary allocations.A seven-man committee, led by the member representing Owan Federal Constituency of Edo State, Pally Iriase, and comprising Rasaq Bello-Osagie, Frank Enekorogha, Professor Ini Udoka, Nadu Karbo, George Dawari and Frank Adah, told reporters in Benin City that its observation, after touring states in the South, contradicts claim by the Federal Government that it has implemented 56 per cent of the 2012 budget.Iriase said: 'The way the constituency project works under the 7th Assembly is that you can only nominate projects and indicate site but the implementation, by way of awarding contracts and execution, is under the purview of the executive. But we also have the right to go round to ensure that what is put in the budget is also executed'We visited riverine areas, like Burutu and several others. As far as constituency project implementation is concerned, we have observed zero per cent implementation in the South-South. You are very much aware that the executive told us that they have implemented56 per cent of the budget. We expected that as we go round we should find 50 per cent performance as regards constituency project.'The lawmaker further explained: 'The entire constituency project under the House of Reps is in the region of N43b and that amount is a paltry sum when you compare it with the N1.3tr for capital. But I want to say with all honesty, in the South-South region of Nigeria, there is nowhere you can find the foundation laying ceremony of any constituency project.''Some of our people chose to provide solar powered street lighting, some chose to provide water by drilling boreholes, some chose feeder roads so that our farming population can have easy access to trunk roads. Some chose electricity projects. But it is sad to note that we went round and we found out that nothing has taken place as far as constituency projects is concerned. It is all a tale of woe as far as this budget implementation is concerned,' he stated.A member of the committee, Rasaq Bello-Osagie, told journalists thatthere is a fundamental problem affecting the country's administrative structure.'There is a systemic problem. If all the revenue-generating agencies in this country have surpassed their targets, what problem do we now have to make sure that procurement processes are dealt with' We build institutions around systems so that it gets to a point when it becomes an autopilot. It is not about PDP. We are not talking about party. Even the PDP in the House are also complaining. We voted for Tambuwal because of his leadership qualities. And so far, he has demonstrated that he is the peoples' Speaker.
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