Chidi Samuel
The Presidency has once again denied reports that the Federal Government has concluded plans to sell off national assets in its efforts to revive the ailing economy. Senator Ita Enang, the senior special assistant to the President on national assembly matters disclosed this while speaking with newsmen on Friday.
It will be recalled that The Senate had early this week rejected the proposed sale of national assets to boost the country’s foreign reserve.
According to Senator Enang, “I am not aware of the details (of) where the government proposed to sell national assets and I rely on the words given by Senator Udo Udoma (Minister of Budget and National Planning) that there is no proposal (to sell the assets). I also rely on the words given by the Minister of Information (Lai Mohammed) that these are all in the realm of speculations.
“We take the Senate and the National Assembly very seriously. We don’t talk back at the institution and what the legislators say is communicated and we respect the Senate because Nigerians should also know that the lawmakers are the people who will approve what we will do.”
The President’s Special Assistant on National Assembly matters also refused to confirm or deny a report that President Muhammadu Buhari had sent an Executive Bill to the Senate, asking for emergency powers to tackle the current economic crisis.
He said, “If and when it is communicated (to the Senate), you will hear (about) it on the floor. So, I do not speak on communication (of the bill) unless it is read. I am only aware when it is read on the floor of the Senate and the House (of Representatives).”