Efio-Ita Nyok|11 April 2016|6:59am
It's been alleged that N60 billion was earmarked for a Lagos-Calabar Coastal Railroad in the 2016 Budget of Change proposal by President Muhammadu Buhari. Albeit, after the National Assembly (NASS) returned the debated budget for presidential accent, it's been widely rumored that the N60 billion Lagos-Calabar Coastal Railroad has been expunged by NASS in favour of some power centres in the NASS.
CrossRiverWatch reportage suggest that some NASS members are not aware of the development, whereas, others are not taking their calls at all as at press time. The above scenario has incited reactions from Cross Riverians on the complicity of our legislators to expunge the project. Others have different sentiments. What follows is a cross section of what some Cross Riverians have said on the occurrence:
*DEAR NIGERIAN CONGRESSMEN FROM CROSS RIVER STATE…
'Please be reminded that you are there in a representative capacity, and are required to weigh the interest of your constituents in your decision making. Please kindly explain to us the circumstances leading to the gutting of the Lagos – Calabar rail project from the 2016 budget'.
—Susan Henshaw.
*Do we Cross Riverians really have a proper representation in the National Assembly?Just wondering aloud!!!
—Echaka-Agabi Owan.
… the best message we can pass to them is to start a recall process for our own Reps at NASS. Anything else is like pouring water on the back of a duck.
Why did they rig elections to go to NASS. Talk doesn't cost anything. If they can't as little as talk for us, what else will they do.
—Eau Ad.
…I am simply ashame of my representative from south south. The chairman senate commitee on appropriation South-South. The chairman house commitee on apropraition South- South. Why on earth will they sit down and allow the removal of a major project from their Zone? What a Northerner cannot do even at the stake of his life is what my representative do for a few naira. shame on you.
—Joe Osibu.
It is unbelievable, inconceivable and outrageous that members of the National Assembly ( comprising eight members of the House of Representatives and three Senators) are among members of the National Assembly that voted in favour of the removal of the proposed Lagos-Calabar Railway Line Project from the 2016 Appropriation Bill (otherwise known as 2016 budget) which details were sent to President Muhammadu Buhari for his assent in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.
Upon studying of the details , President Buhari and the Executive Council of the Federation curiously discovered that the National Assembly has fundamentally distorted and indeed removed so many projects that were intended to ameliorate the plight of the common people. One of such projects is the proposed Lagos-Calabar Rail Line! It is unparadonable that any member of the National Assembly from Cross River State would vote against the inclusion of the proposed Lagos-Calabar Rail Line in the 2016 National Budget!
These members of the National Assembly are really self serving and selfish! They must be call to order by members of their constituents! It is pertinent to note that the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance is Senator John Eno Owan who is representing Cross River Central Senatorial District in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that played a central role in the Senate of the Appropriation Bill by the National Assembly ! Senator Owan owes the people of Cross River State more explanation!
—Okoi Obono-Obla
*Why are you complaining?
when you got a small bag of Rice and voted.
Why are you complaining? When N500 was enough for you to sell your votes. Why are you complaining?
When you left trusted men and decided to vote for thieves. They can sleep, snor, miss sittings, sell our collective benefits for personal and even party interest because they owe you nothing.
#truthisbitter
—Samuel Ekeng-Ita
*Those representing us from the southern States of Nigeria at the National Assembly must wake up and say no to these and revisit the budget again.
—Coco-Bassey Esu
*NA WAO! BAD WHEN WE HAVE NOBODY TO DEFEND US
—Charles Iwara
*This is shocking
—Kufre
Cross Riverians are calling on the 11 members of the National Assembly, the 3 Senators and 8 Representatives to hold a press conference in order to explain what really happened in the said budget.
Efio-Ita Nyok
Is a Blogger & the Editor of Negroid Haven
