The senator representing Kogi West senatorial district in the National Assembly, Sen. Dino Melaye, has accused his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), of borrowing N11 trillion since coming to power in May 2015.
He said that the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which was in power for 16 years, only borrowed N6 trillion.
The controversial senator, who is facing prosecution by the Federal Government for blackmail, made this known while speaking on the floor of the upper chamber on Wednesday.
Melaye was reacting to the rejection of the Nigerian Peace Corps Bill by President Muhammadu Buhari, who blamed lack of funds and duplication of duty for the rejection.
He lamented that despite Nigeria floating several Eurobonds, there was no clear-cut programme to empower the teeming unemployed youths across the country.
The lawmaker also criticised the federal government for spending N500 billion on Social Investment Programmes with no “impact”.
He said, “About $5.5bn was borrowed from euro bond; what part of it will the youths of this country benefit from?
“About $1bn is to be spent on security and how does this affect the youth of this country.
“Without fear or favour, the Peoples Democratic Party, in 16 years, borrowed N6tn and this government in three years, has borrowed N11tn but there is no specific programme that will empower the youth.
“Also, N500bn was earmarked for the social investment programme of the federal government, but we have not seen any impact.
“If the Peace Corps is given an opportunity to exist, thousands will be employed and this will help to fight unemployment in this country.”
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