$4b fresh loan: Haste in approving Buhari’s loans makes Nigerians suspect us – Sen. Ndume

By Obinna Nnorom

Lack of thoroughness often observed in the manner senators approve loan requests of President Muhammadu Buhari gives senator Ali Ndume sleepless nights.

Send. Ndume

Senator Ndume, the Chairman, of the Senate Committee on Army, stated that there are things that could be done in a hurry, but for loans approval, the Senate ought to be painstaking in doing that.

The former Senate leader’s statement was coming on the heels of Buhari’s request of $4 billion, and £700 million loan approval request from the National Assembly.

He explained that some of the loans approved by the National Assembly are yet to be collected, wondered why the rush in approving loan requests from the President.

The Bornu state senator who made the observation during an interactive session with Journalists, insisted that the way the lawmakers approve the loans make Nigerians look at them with great suspicion.

Ndume noted that it is not a crime to borrow, but the terms must be carefully looked at, expressed deep concern that they do not pay enough attention to the details of the loans.

“What I am worried about is the way the Senate is handling it. It is supposed to be a house of deliberations. You have to look at it critically, not that we just sit down and approve.

“The way we do it makes Nigerians look at us with suspicion. That’s why they call us rubber stamps. It is because we don’t carry Nigerians along. There are things we can do in a hurry, but for loans, we should take our time