Date: 2016-09-14

Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has revealed that the Senate will recommend the removal of Ministers and other Presidential aides who do not measure up in the Federal Government's efforts to exit the country from economic recession.

According to a statement by the Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, to the Senate President, Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki made this known in an interactive Town Hall meeting tagged '#AskSaraki', which was organized for constituents of his Kwara Central Senatorial district, as part of the activities to mark the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.

Saraki responded to questions from citizens and community leaders representing various interests in the state, primarily about the economic recession, unemployment rates, and his legislative stewardship throughout the 8th Assembly. He revealed that the upper chamber would, on resumption next week, invite all those involved in the management of the economy to tell Nigerians what steps they were taking to rescue the economy from recession.

The Senate President further insisted that a concerted approach of both the legislature and the executive is needed to combat the lingering economic crisis, while underscoring the importance of seeing obstacles like the recession as opportunities to focus inwards to achieve economic diversification and better fiscal management.

"Those of us that you have elected into office are aware of the difficult economic situation in our country. We know we have to find a solution as fast as possible. We have no option. Once the Senate resumes, we will invite all those involved in the management of the economy to explain to the people what they are doing to solve the problem," he said.

"Whoever among them does not measure up to expectation in his or her explanation we will recommend that he should be removed. This is time for co-operation and exchange of ideas. "As things stand, I understand your concerns and feel your pains about the economy. I assure you that we will work together to bring about legislative and policy solutions to address the lingering economic situation.

"What we have done with your mandate at the National Assembly is to push for bills and initiatives that will put more money in your pockets. "With the amendment of the Public Procurement Act, more entrepreneurs from Kwara and across the country will be able to participate in the government's procurement process, and the 'Made in Nigeria' campaign will boost the internally generated revenues of both our state and the Federal government.

"I assure you, when the National Assembly resumes, we will all work together to achieve legislative and policy solutions to the lingering economic situation. We understand that no one branch of government can solve this crisis alone.

"I understand the impact of the economic crisis in the lives of the people and i would work with other people in government to find quick solution to the problem. "The current situation calls for urgent and constant dialogue between the people in government and the electorate as nobody is happy with the current situation.

"I appreciate our people. I empathize with you and I am genuinely concerned and disturbed about what our people are going through. The situation is grim enough for you to ignore our invitation to this event. "Let it be known that I will never take your support for granted. We will not disappoint you. The growth of the economy is my major pre-occupation and that of the Senate."

Saraki also advocated that teacher's salaries should be made an item in the capital expenditure in the budget of states and Federal Governments to ensure its prompt payment to beneficiaries declaring that teacher's salaries is one of the priorities that must not be neglected.

"Due to the importance of prompt payment of teacher's salaries, governments at state and federal levels should consider making it a line item in the national and state budgets into capital expenditures," he said.

"It is useless to put building of classrooms and provision of laboratory equipment in capital expenditure when the teachers who will teach students are not paid and therefore not happy."