Mark lists Senate’s priorities for 2008

Taiwo Adisa, Abuja - 04.01.2008

Senate President, Senator David Mark, has listed expectations of the Senate for the New Year. The Senate President, who spoke through his Special Adviser (Media), Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, on Thursday, said the upper house looked forward to the passage of the 2008 Appropriation Bill before the end of January.

He said the Senate would strengthen its oversight functions “in order to ensure that whatever fund is earmarked for the respective projects provided for in the bill are well utilised.”

The Senate President said the Public Accounts Committee as well as other standing committees would monitor the implementation of the budgetary performance more vigorously than what the country used to witness in the past.

He also said a review of the 1999 Constitution would form one of the priorities of the National Assembly in the New Year. “We look forward to the 1999 Constitution review process and as soon as the budget is passed and assented to by the President, we will constitute the review committee which would partner with state houses of assembly in conformity with the provisions of the constitution.