Jonathan reacts to impeachment threat

FROM: Ben Agande, Abuja.
The Presidency Thursday reacted to the failed impeachment threat by House of Representatives on President Goodluck Jonathan over budget implementation saying the concerns raised by the house were in sync with those of the president.

Special Adviser to the President on Communications, Dr. Reuben Abati stated that President Jonathan was on the same page with the House of Representatives on the need for efficient budget implementation.

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According to him, there is no conflict between the two arms of government, saying the President was also concerned about budget implementation.

He said President Jonathan had impressed it on his ministers that his administration lays premium on budget performance

Based on the President’s directive, Abati said, the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, had presented a detailed report of the level of performance by Ministries, Departments and Agencies which formed the basis for discussion at the general meeting.

“The House and the President are on the same page on budget implementation. Just as the House is concerned, Mr. President is concerned too.

“What happened today in the House was ironic and a big coincidence because two ministries: interior and police affairs, were in the Villa today to make presentations on their key performance index.

“Each ministry came with all the parastatals under it and presented their KPI in relation to Budget 2012.

“They were required to state their mandates, the money they collected under Budget 2012, their level of performance and their challenges if any and then define their next steps.
“After each presentation, there was robust discussion.”

He pointed out that the Executive was improving on the performance regularly.