Leadership (Abuja)
Ben Adoga
18 June 2008
President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua yesterday in a letter to the Senate made known his intention to amend the public procurement Act and the Revenue Allocation Formula of the federation.
In a letter dated June 3, 2008 and addressed to the president of the Senate, Yar'Adua stated, "I forward herewith, for your kind consideration and passage into law, the attached draft bill for an act to amend the public procurement Act, 2007."
The said attached draft was not made public so the sections of the bill to be amended is yet not known.
The Public Procurement Act is one of those laws introduced as part of anti-corruption crusade in public office. Though it is still a very young law, President Yar'Adua seeks its amendment.
Also in a letter dated June 11, 2008 to the Senate President, President Yar'Adua stated, "in accordance with section 162(2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I have the honour to take before the distinguished Senate, report on the review of the revenue allocation formula, for your kind consideration."
Continuing, he said, "This review is designed to enhance effective service delivery in the public sector."
Details of the report were, however, not made public.
At the moment, revenue from the federation account is shared on the basis of 50 per cent for the Federal Government, 30 per cent for the states and 20 for local governments while derivation is pegged at 13 per cent to states. Sections 162 of the 1999 constitution is not clear on this.
The proposed review of the 1999 constitution is likely to take care of this. The commandment is coming ahead of the constitution review.
Also yesterday, the Senate took first reading of three bills: the Agricultural inputs (provision of subsidy) bill; Natural medicine practice commission bill and the council for the regulation of engineering in Nigeria, COREN act (amendment) bill.
The second reading of a bill for an act to create the Excess Crude Oil Reserve Fund for the regulation, development, management and investment which seeks to safeguard long- term interest of Nigeria, sponsored by Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello, was put forward to another legislative date.
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