In his reply, dated January 29, Saraki, according to Premium Times, responded to Obasanjo’s concern, saying the eighth National Assembly, under his leadership was already taking deliberate steps to strengthen the country’s democratic institutions and ensure prudent management of resources.
This is to ensure that we plug all leakages and minimise waste across our expenditure systems.”
“Likewise, the eighth National Assembly has made the issue of plugging leakages and cutting wastages in our public expenditure system a major priority that should not be toyed with. This may have happened in the past but it will not happen with us,” he said in the letter.
According to him, the legislature was already overhauling its oversight functions to make it more effective in exposing corruption in federal ministries, departments and agencies.
“We are hand in glove with the president on this matter and this is why we are overhauling our oversight functions to make it more effective in exposing corruption in the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA).
“We recognise the hard work our anti-corruption agencies are putting into this fight.
“The Senate is resolved to support them to perform their duty effectively by providing them with adequate funding where necessary, as their work is integral to our oversight responsibility.”
Obasanjo had written the National Assembly to amplify widespread concerns that federal lawmakers were insensitive to the economic hardship facing their country, and had continued to live in opulence at taxpayers expense.