The Minority Whip of the House of Representatives, Isa Alli has revealed that each member of the Green Chamber of the National Assembly (House of Representatives) collect N400m as allowances to execute constituency projects through Zonal and Special Intervention Projects.
Ali who represents Billiri/Balanga Federal Constituency, made the revelation during a town hall meeting organised for briefing of constituents informed on current developments about the constituency.
The federal lawmaker further disclosed that N179m is budgeted for ZIPs, while N40m is allocated to SIPs.
The sum of N200m million is budgeted for the Billiri/Balanga Constituency.
“If you look at part of the bills I’m sponsoring, it is on federal constituencies and senatorial districts fund development to enable every constituency and senatorial district to have major projects. “When you move to most of these constituencies, you will not see Federal Government projects apart from the constituency projects done by members of the National Assembly.
“Regarding the amount, particularly in the 10th House of Representatives, which Nigerians call the ‘people’s house,’ we are very open. The Zonal Intervention Project has been in existence for the past 20 years, and the money has not changed; it’s N179 million”; Ali declared.
He added, “We have Special Intervention Projects; this year, it’s N40 million. In previous years, it was N30 million. The same applies to ZIPs; in previous years, the money remains the same. We have other interventions like the capital intervention for Balanga/Billiri, which is N200 million. In total, we are talking about a little above N400 million for each constituency.”
Speaking further, the Minority Whip, who is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, lauded the Federal Government for previously releasing 100 per cent of the projects.
“I’m part of the leadership and I’m working hard to ensure the implementation process commences. We will ensure 100 per cent implementation because, to be honest, from 2019 to 2023, the Federal Government tried by releasing almost 100 per cent of all ZIPs and SIPs”.
The Rep, however, assured his constituents of the quality of projects despite the economic situation, adding, “We are working hard. The finances of the country are under serious challenge but as a leader, I’m working with my colleagues to ensure that this year’s intervention is also 100 per cent by the releases of the Federal Government.”
The Minority Whip disclosed that he inaugurated a committee comprising professionals to ensure the quality of projects. (Saturday PUNCH)
