Senator Rochas Anayo Okorocha has canvassed for the reduction of
Parliamentarians representing each state of the federation, saying the
nation cannot afford their expenditure anymore.
Okorocha, a former Governor representing Imo West Senatorial
District, stated this while contributing to a Committee report on MTEF
at the Senate Thursday’s plenary.
He faulted the bicameral legislature, saying that there was nothing
too sacrosanct that Senators and House of Representatives members were
doing that only senators could not do.
In his reaction to the 2019 budget deficit, which was revealed by the
Committee report on Budget and National Planning, the former Governor
said, government was expending too much funds on lawmakers.
“Mr. President of the Senate, distinguished colleagues, let’s tell
ourselves the truth. Look at the number of House of Representatives
members and Senators. ”
“To me, what is too important that a House member is doing that a Senator from the same state is not doing?”
“It is time for us to sacrifice and I want to say that a Senator is
enough to represent a State in order to cut cost. We must do sacrifice
for the nation. ”
Okorocha added that government should spend more money on production
that would yield revenue for the country rather than capital
expenditures.
Reacting, Senate President, Dr Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan said, the
Constitution provided for the practice of bicameral legislature, saying
Okorocha was at liberty to sponsor a bill recommending one Parliament.
Senate President explained that the existence of upper and lower
legislative Chambers was to enable lawmakers think deep and
constructively for the country.