The National Assembly has berated the Special Adviser to the President on Social Investment, Mrs. Maryam Uwais, over her reaction to its position on the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP).
At a meeting with the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajia Sadiya Umar Farouq, on Tuesday, the National Assembly suggested the fine-tuning of the NSIP to enable the downtrodden to truly benefit from it.
But in her reaction, Uwais described the comments of the National Assembly as regrettable and unfortunate.
The National Assembly however found Uwais’ reaction insulting.
In its reply, the National Assembly in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media to the Senate President, Ola Awoniyi, said it took exception to the aspersion by Uwais.
The National Assembly said as a public officer, she should be receptive to constructive ideas and suggestions expressed to enhance service delivery and to improve the performances of public projects and institutions.
The Legislature said while the misrepresentation of its positions on the issues discussed might have informed the position of the president’s aide, she should have sought clarification.
The statement reads in part: “It is true that the leadership of the National Assembly pointed out gaps in the implementation of NSIP. As the representatives of the people, it is a key constitutional mandate of the Legislature to oversight, review and make recommendations for better implementation of important programmes of Government.
“That, in summary, was what was done at Tuesday’s meeting.
“The observations made by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan and the Speakers of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, captured the views of many Nigerians. These observations also reflect feedback from the people they represent who are the targeted beneficiaries of the scheme.
“We, therefore, take strong exception to the innuendo by the presidential aide that her rejoinder was issued towards ‘safeguarding the entitlements of the poorest of Nigerian citizens, whose benefits are likely to cease because they are not known or connected to NASS members or any other person of influence.’ That insinuation is unfair to the members of the National Assembly and entirely baseless.”
The National Assembly added: “The leadership of the National Assembly is committed to sustaining its cordial working relationship with the other arms of Government as it has seen the benefits of this approach in the improved environment and speed of policy and decision making.
“But this commitment will never deter or discourage it from asserting its considered views in promotion and defence of good governance.
“We urge officials and agencies of Government to exploit their access to the Legislature in making clarifications before reacting to newspaper reports on its deliberations.”
