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Tag: Diket Plang

  • Senator Plang reveals how N1.5trn was added to 2024 budget

    Senator Plang reveals how N1.5trn was added to 2024 budget

    Senator Diket Plang (APC/Plateau Central) has said the National Assembly (NASS) did not pad the 2024 budget.

    Plang, a member of the Senate appropriation committee, who stated this on Monday in Jos while interacting with newsmen, said that the NASS passed a budget of N28.77 trillion.

    The lawmaker stated that President Bola Tinubu, on November 29, 2023, brought before a joint session of the National Assembly a budget of N27.2 trillion.

    He said that on the request of the executive, the National Assembly added about 1.5 trillion to make it N28.77 trillion.

    “On the request by the executive, we added the said sum because of critical issues such as food security.

    “Hunger had come in as a result of fuel subsidy  removal and devaluation of the naira and there was a need for some measures.

    “They were not in the initial budget. There was an urgent need to provide additional money for the security agencies to enable them to purchase weapons.

    “There are classified expenditures like those for the security agencies that are not captured in the printed budget,’’ he said.

    Plang stated that the 10th National Assembly was lucky to be working with President Bola Tinubu, who knows the workings of the legislature, having been a former senator.

    According to him, the executive arm was populated with former lawmakers, including the vice president, the chief of staff, the secretary to the government of the federation, and the wife of the president.

    “There is a cordial working relationship between the two arms of government because the executive understands lawmaking and knows what the National Assembly wants,” he said.

  • Plateau needs permanent solution to killings, not palliatives – Sen Plang

    Plateau needs permanent solution to killings, not palliatives – Sen Plang

    Sen. Diket Plang (APC/Plateau), has said that Plateau people want permanent solutions to the security challenges bedevilling the state “instead of temporary palliatives”.

    Plang told newsmen on Wednesday in Jos that a permanent solution would save hundreds of lives and end the bloodshed that had become the lot of the north-central state

    He suggested that military bases should be established at identified flashpoints to ward off the bandits.

    “I have raised a motion at the national assembly towards ensuring that Plateau enjoys enduring peace instead of this reactionary approach.

    “After the motion, we resolved that instead of temporary approaches, we should have a permanent solution to insecurity.

    “Instead of rushing to the military when bandits come, we should fence off entry points used by criminals in Barkin Ladi and Bokkos.

    “We have other entry and exit points used by criminals in Mangu, Gindiri and Bauchi.

    “If all places are secured, criminals cannot come in and escape so casually,” Plang said.

    He commended the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), for remaining accessible and for the prompt responses to calls when criminals strike.

    “The CDS wastes no time in ensuring that troops are deployed to troubled areas.

    “I think that security personnel were on their toes. They need more appropriation and more cooperation.

    “They need all of us to help them fish out criminals amongst us; even if they are our sons, we should expose them if we want peace,’’ he added.

  • Senate to expedite action on new minimum wage bill

    Senate to expedite action on new minimum wage bill

    The Chairman, Senate Committee on Employment, Labour and Productivity, Sen. Diket Plang,  says the upper chamber will give the expected new minimum wage bill expeditious consideration.

    Plang, in a statement on Friday in Abuja said the bill when passed, would further ensure improved welfare of workers and promote industrial harmony in the country .

    He assured Nigerians of the 10th National Assembly commitment toward improving the living conditions of workers and tackle the high level of poverty.

    ”Efforts of the Federal Government and the organised labour for agreeing to set in motion necessary machinery to review the current minimum wage as contained in the memorandum of understanding signed by the negotiating parties are commendable .

    ”The Senate Committee on Employment, Labour and Productivity under my chairmanship is prepared to give expeditious attention to the passage of a new Act once negotiation on the matter is concluded and such bill transmitted to the National Assembly for enactment,” he said.

    The chairman commended the Federal Government on the proactive actions taken to avert nationwide strike by workers on Tuesday but warned parties involved not to renege on the agreements reached .

    ”Nigerians and particularly members of this committee are happy that the looming industrial unrest was averted by memorandum of understanding signed by the Federal Government, the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress.

    “However, all the parties involved , should avoid reneging on any of the agreement reached”, he said .

    The committee he added, was committed to the International Labour Organisation principle of decent work and would take necessary legislative action to support efforts at improving the working conditions of Nigerians, including payment of living wage as enshrined in the decent work agenda.