The House of Representatives yesterday rejected claims by the executive that the 2009 budget can not be fully implemented on account of inadequate funding arising from dwindling oil revenue due to militants attacks in the Niger Delta.

It raised alarm that the country’s economy would suffer if the country continues to depend solely on crude oil.

The lawmakers’ stand was contained in a report jointly signed by the chairmen of House committees on appropriation and that of finance, Ayo Adesanya and John Enoh respectively, which was made available to the Daily Champion at the weekend.

Eziuche Ubani who briefed newsmen on the activities of the committees said the country might be in trouble if we continue to depend on crude oil because America that imports 25 per cent of our crude oil is looking for other sources of energy generation. He said other countries of Western Europe may emulate the United States (US).

"Therefore, we should begin to look for other sources to make money apart from crude oil, it is high time we stop depending on oil money if we want to be serious," he said.

Ubani also implored President Umaru Yar’Adua to pay much attention to climate change saying, "we are the one that climate change will affect because of the problem of poverty we face in our continent. It is very necessary to pay much attention to it because other developed countries do it".

He urged the Speaker to write to the president on the need to pay much attention to it adding that we need comprehensive climate change bill in Nigeria.

"We want to drive this thing from the highest corridor of power," he stated.

In another development the Chairman House Committee on Constituency Outreach, Hon. Muhammed Bawa said the Federal Government has provided N30 million for the consistency project in 2009.

He said money will not be given to members even-though they will choose areas in which they want the project to be done in their various consistencies.

He however said they have not embarked on 2009 project as at present because the 2008 project was still on course, saying about N2.9billion has been released to about 1068 contractors to start working but some can do it due to logistic problem and we have decided to give the contract to capable contractors.