The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola on Friday,
tendered an apology to members of the House of Representatives when he
appeared before an ad-hoc committee of the House.
The apology follows allegations that his comments regarding alterations
made to the 2017 Appropriation Bill by the National Assembly breached the
privileges of the House and sought to incite the Nigeria public against
the legislature.
The minister, however, said the comments he made were already in the
public domain and could, therefore, be taken as inciting the public
against the Parliament.
He also made it clear that it was not his intention to disparage the House
and therefore, apologised if any offence was taken.
“I take the view that saying that which is already a matter of public
record, is with respect, not an incitement of the public against
Parliament. My purpose was not to incite the public against parliament and
that is not my way.
“Allegations that I said that legislators have stark and worrisome
knowledge of the budget process; I did not say so of legislators as a
whole. What I said was with respect to the spokesperson who responded to
my interview. I have said that it was not my intention to disparage this
House, I have said that very much and that if any offence was taken, it
wasn’t intended and I apologise for that.”
Fashola had through a statement on June 27, expressed concerns over the
recourse of the National Assembly spokespersons to name calling over his
observations on the 2017 budget.
He said he was worried that the National Assembly spokespersons failed to
address the fundamental points about development, hindering whimsical cuts
in the allocations to several vital projects under the Ministry of Power,
Works and Housing as well as other ministries.
As the controversy lingered and continued to draw reactions from the
masses, the former Lagos State Governor said he was not in a fight with
the National Assembly but only had a mere misunderstanding with them.
He, therefore, requested that it should not be misconstrued as a personal
fight but one geared towards finding best ways to implement the Economic
Recovery and Growth Plan.