SENATE President David Mark has vowed to expose corrupt senators and
those engaged in acts capable of tarnishing the image of the National
Assembly.
Mark stressed that no amount of blackmail will deter the institution
from carrying out its oversight functions. He, however, cautioned
members of the public against compromising lawmakers in the discharge
of their duties, stressing that the National Assembly will continue to
clear itself in its strong determination to meet the expectations of the
electorate.
Speaking at the National Assembly-Private Sector Forum organised by
the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) in Lagos, the Senate
president noted that allegation of corruption against the National
Assembly was exaggerated.
According to him, "There are those who say that the National
Assembly takes the bunch of the budget. This is very ridiculous. I know
that what goes to the National Assembly is not more than 2.5% of the
total budget. The National Assembly members are always accused of
corruption but Nigerians ,to a large extent ,are responsible for this
alleged corruption.
"If a businessman gives a bribe to a lawmaker, is it only the
lawmaker that is corrupt? If the business man didn't offer the bribe,
the lawmaker will not accept. But the question remains: Why did he
accept it? If our National Assembly members are found wanting, we will
discipline them.
"We will clean our house to earn the respect of those that elected
us into our respective offices. We will continue to clean our house and
those who bring us to shame will get their punishment accordingly."
Stressing that the legislature as an arm of government is on a
steady growth and improving by each legislative day, Mark recalled that
the level of rancour that characterized the legislative houses between
1999 and 2003 has been reduced.
"We would continue to improve on legislative business until we
attain a level where the average Nigerian will be satisfied with our
performance", he said.
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