SENATE President, Godswill Akpabio, Thursday said he came along with his colleagues to Ikot-Ekpene, Akwa Ibom Retreat to verify if the All Progressives Congress led federal government is on course in its election promises to the people and to ensure the Legislature and the Executive arms were not working at cross purposes.
“Appreciative that they listened to you and voted for you, supportive of rights of Nigerians to the goodies in that document . We have come to deliberate on that document and to ensure we do not work at cross-purposes with the Executive Arm. “The Senate Chambers is a place for optimists who believe no matter the darkness of the clouds which hang over our nation, there are silver linings. The Senate has no place for people who whine or do not believe in the greatness of our country.
“Let us follow the plan before us. Founding fathers of our nation had and followed a plan of development, and Nigeria, in their days, occupied a place of pride in the comity of nations. “The stock market is said to have jumped to N1.51 trillion as a consequence of the announcement to unify foreign exchange rates. Tax reforms, experts believe, could yield a N20 trillion tax gap in a nation with a tax-to-GDP ratio of 10.86%.
“At this time we are considering the medium-term economic framework and fiscal sustainability programme, it is topical and timely that we should be having this retreat because after now, we will be considering budget.