Member representing Ado/ Okpokwu/ Ogbadibo Federal Constituency, Hon Philip Agbese (APC-Benue), has said the 10th House of Representatives will make sacrifices to make Nigerians happy.
Agbese, who spoke during an appearance on Channels TV to discuss the current economic hardship in the nation, said the 10th House, under the leadership of Rt Hon Tajudden Abbas, has made interventions and recommendations to President Bola Tinubu on how to address the situation in the country.
Among them is the provision of buses and rehabilitation of roads across the nation to ease the movement of Nigerians and commodities.
According to Agbese, the Speaker has instilled accountability, probity and transparency in the Green Chamber and it is already visible in their operations.
He, however, said that the much-publicized N70bn is not for the lawmakers but for the running cost of the National Assembly, which he said will go into the office building, mobility, and others.
He also said a special committee will be set up to monitor the disbursement and utilization of the approved N500bn to ensure that the last penny gets to those that deserve it.
“We have discussed some interventions and recommended them to the President. One of them is the provision of buses to ease the burden on Nigerians,” Agbese said.
“We also recommended that our roads should be given urgent attention across the country. This will ensure smooth and easy movement of Nigerians and commodities.
“We talked about the issue of security. Thankfully, the President has appointed new Service Chiefs and they have been confirmed. We have charged them to ensure that farmers return to their farms.”
Speaking further, Agbese said the era of cabals sitting on the nation’s common wealth is gone.
“We aggregate the views of the 360 constituencies, discuss and come up with ideas to protect the collective interests of Nigerians. We are doing everything to make sure that we put smiles on their faces.
“We’re ready to make sacrifices to ensure Nigerians are happy even though we don’t have the luxury of resources.”
On cutting down the cost of governance, he added: “We have looked at the supplementary budget and set our sights on the 2024 budget. I want to use this medium to clarify that N70bn is not for the lawmakers but for the running cost.
“This will go into the office building, mobility, and others. We don’t mind riding on camels if that will make Nigerians happy. It is not really our decision on what comes to us, it is the duty of the NASS Service Commission. I believe with the level of accountability and probity exhibited in the last month, Nigerians should be proud. “
