Senate will not approve virement again, it is illegal – Ekweremadu

Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, on Tuesday said, virement which was being considered by the Senate is an act of illegality, stressing that it does not have its root in the constitution.

Referring to section 81(2) of 1999 constitution as amended, he explained that virement is a military term which was meant to transfer already appropriated funds from one items to another based on special intervention needs.

“Mr. President, distinguished colleagues , what we are dealing with is illegal, and if there is need to fund any special projects, it should come through supplementary budget and not through virement,” he said.

He, however, added that it should be approved, since the debate has reached the committee level, while cautioning that it may be the last time, Senate would approve virement for the executive.

But Senator Abdullahi Adamu in his contribution, stressed that there was nothing wrong, explaining that the word :virement’ is in the fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007.

” Senate President, distinguished Colleagues, look at Section 24/of Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2008 which provides for virememt . It is an Act which provides that Mr. President can request for virement based on special intervention on capital projects, so we are on the right track,” Adamu insisted.

In his remark, the Senate President urged for the consideration, noting that the country needs to move forward, while also commending lawmakers for their understanding.