Two socio-cultural groups, Ohanaeze and Arewa Youths, have described the member representing Bichi Federal Constituency of Kano State in the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abubakar Kabir Bichi, as the best choice for chairmanship of the House Committee on Appropriations.
They said this was owing to his pedigree in public service, legislative prowess and excellent antecedent of Committee leadership as well as steps taken so far.
The groups, in statement jointly signed by their executive leaders, Nwabueze Obi and Kabiru Yusuf said Bichi’s dexterity was recently exhibited in the speedy but diligent work on the 2023 supplementary budget passed by the National Assembly and signed into law by President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday.
According to them, “Bichi is the best man to Chair the Appropriations committee. He came on board with a rich resume of legislative progressiveness and knack for excellence as well as the advancement of the country.
“As Chairman of the Committee on Works in the 9th Assembly, Bichi provided both legislative support and oversight to critical road projects across the country in engagement with contractors and the Ministry of Works and Housing.
“He led the committee to oversee projects such as the Lagos-Badagry Road, Abuja-Kano Road, Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Road and so on. The 9th House championed the return to January to December Budget cycle, hence there was timely passage of budget.
“With Bichi as Chairman of the Appropriation Committee in the 10th Assembly the tempo will and is already being sustained as evident in the Supplementary Budget. He will also reform the budget Committee and bring appropriation process to be at par with developed countries.”
The Ohanaeze and Arewa Youths said Bichi was already bringing reforms and innovation to the Appropriation Committee, taking its activities, which were hitherto somehow opaque to the public glare.
“Since his assumption as Chairman of the Appropriation Committee, theirs meetings and activities are now always open for media coverage and observation by the citizens.
“Also, in recent times, it is under Bichi that supplementary budget is been defended openly, making observers and journalists to ask whether defences are held for supplementary budget.
“Bichi equally does not left anyone in doubt his preparedness to work with his team to ensure timely passage of budget and oversight over relevant goverment agencies to monitor effective and implementation of the Appropriation Act,” they added.
