The Senate President Ahmad Lawan, has insisted that the chamber would grant president Muhammadu Buhari’s $29.96b Loan request.
Lawan, stated this while answering questions on the loan request at a media briefing in Abuja.
He however denied he ever advised the Federal Government to stop taking loans to fund infrastructure.
But on October 23, 2019, at the opening session of a two-day public hearing organised by the National Assembly on the 2020 federal budget, Lawan had cautioned the Federal Government, saying: “We cannot continue to borrow to build our infrastructure. I belong to that school that believes that where we can have a PPP (Public-Private Partnership) to build our infrastructure, we should do that.
Lawan yesterday noted that the Senate would ensure the projects are properly executed once the loan is taken. “Yes, if you do not have money and you have projects that require you to provide the infrastructure that you need, nothing will really militate against passing the request. However, we are going to be critical, so that every cent borrowed is tied to a project,” he said.
But while making a fresh request, Buhari had explained that approval would ensure prompt implementation of projects under the borrowing plan with emphasis on infrastructure, agriculture, health, education, water supply, growth and employment generation, poverty reduction through social safety net programmes, governance and financial management reforms among others.
