Buhari Borrowed 11tn In 3yrs But Can’t Empower The Youth – Melaye

Senator Dino Melaye, lawmaker representing Kogi West senatorial district, has accused the President Buhari led government of undermining Nigerian youths.

Maleye said Buhari has in three years borrowed more than previous governments of the PDP, without any clearly defined or identified programme.

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“Without fear or favour, the Peoples Democratic Party, in 16 years, borrowed N6tn and this government in three years, has borrowed N11tn but there is no specific programme that will empower the youth,” he said.

“N500bn was earmarked for the social investment programme of the Federal Government, but we have not seen any impact.”

The lawmaker made the disclosure on Wednesday, while urging the President to review his position in withholding assent on the Nigerian Peace Corps (Establishment) Bill, 2017.

President Buhari had cited funding as one of the challenges in declining assent to the Nigerian Peace Corps (Establishment) Bill, 2017 recently passed by the National Assembly.

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But Melaye, adopting a point of order, during plenary at the Senate and relying on it rules, persuaded the upper legislative chamber to revisit the bill with a view to veto the President if he fails to rescind his rejection of the bill.

“The same thing happened when the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps was to be established; there was also the same complaint that there was no money and all of that.

“But today, we can see the advantages of the civil defence and how they have helped in safeguarding government infrastructure.

“About $5.5bn was borrowed from euro bond; what part of it will the youths of this country benefit from?

“About $1bn is to be spent on security and how does this affect the youth of this country,” Melaye said.

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