Senate approves $1bn from excess crude account for Ajaokuta Steel’s completion
Nse Anthony-Uko is Abuja editorial lead at business a.m. covering finance, business, economy, federal government economic MDAs and FCT
The Nigerian Senate has given its approval for $1 billion to be withdrawn from the federal government’s share of excess crude revenue for the completion of Ajaokuta Steel Company.
The upper chamber also said all monies that may from time to time be appropriated and authorised by any tier of government should be part of the funding for the completion of the project.
It said all loans or grants from time to time made to the country for the purpose of completing the Ajaokuta Steel Company should be accommodated.
The resolution followed the passage of the Ajaokuta Steel Company Completion Fund Bill 2018.
The legislation, which had earlier been passed by the House of Representatives, stated that the funds should be applied by the minister subject to appropriation by the National Assembly.
The Bill slated for concurrence, was presented by Senate Leader, Senator Ahmed Lawan.
The proposed legislation stated that the monies in the fund shall be applied by the minister subject to appropriation by the National Assembly only for the construction, improvement, extension, enlargement and replacement of infrastructure and works, including the provision, acquisition, improvement and replacement of other capital assets required in respect of or in connection with the completion of the Ajaokuta Steel Company project. It added that the cash shall be used for the acquisition of land and of any right or interest in or over land and in respect of the use of any invention; the carrying on of any survey, research or investigation preparatory to the under taking of any such purpose as is referred to in paragraph a and b or the formation of any plan or scheme for the development, improvement, of Ajaokuta Steel Company project.
Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, who presided, said the Bill, if signed into law, would go a long way to facilitate the quick completion of the Ajaokuta Steel complex.
The Senate also adopted the Presidential Programme on Rehabilitation and Reintegration (establishment and implementation) Bill 2018.
The Bill provides legal instrument to implement the Presidential Amnesty programme in the area of disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration.