The Senate on Wednesday urged
President Muhammadu Buhari to review his position in withholding assent on the
bill to establish Peace Corps of Nigeria.
This followed the adoption of a
Point of Order raised by Senator Dino Melaye during plenary.
Relying on the Senate rules, Melaye
urged the Senate to revisit the bill with a view to veto the President if he
fails to rescind his rejection of the bill.
President Buhari had cited
duplication of duty and funding challenges in declining assent to the Nigerian
Peace Corps (Establishment) Bill, 2017 recently passed by the National
Assembly.
However, Melaye said Buhari should
give the bill a priority.
“The same thing happened when the
Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps was to be established; there was also
the same complaint that there was no money and all of that.
“But today, we can see the
advantages of the civil defence and how they have helped in safeguarding
government infrastructure.
“About $5.5bn was borrowed from euro
bond; what part of it will the youths of this country benefit from?
“About $1bn is to be spent on
security and how does this affect the youth of this country.
“Without fear or favour, the Peoples
Democratic Party, in 16 years, borrowed N6tn and this government in three
years, has borrowed N11tn but there is no specific programme that will empower
the youth.
“Also, N500bn was earmarked for the
social investment programme of the Federal Government, but we have not seen any
impact.
“If the Peace Corps is given an
opportunity to exist, thousands will be employed and this will help to fight
unemployment in this country.
“We may need to write Mr. President
to review his position; if not, we have the power on behalf of the Nigerian
youths who voted us to veto him so that people will become the ultimate
beneficiaries of this bill.
“The youth of this country must be given
priority and they must be respected,’’ Melaye said. (NAN)
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