The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) won’t get more fund until it exhausts the N87.9b appropriated for it by the National Assembly, Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu said yesterday.

Speaking when he visited the National Headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)which was gutted by fire on Saturday, Ekweremadu said INEC would first justify the spending of the N87billion before seeking more money.

Ekweremadu said: "They (INEC) wanted N87 billion and we approved it. Even though I have reservation about the figure, but we need to support them to do a good job. We hope they apply the money appropriately.

"They brought 89 billion and N89 billion was approved, so that is no problem. But let them finish the N87 billion before coming for another one."

Ekweremadu called for measures to check fire outbreaks during the design of houses, promising that adequate steps would be taken to ensure that the new PDP secretariat under construction is fire proof.

He lauded the Federal Fire Service for its timely response.

The fire incident calls to questions the type of measures put in place in when buildings are being constructed, he said.

"It (the fire) calls to question some of the measures we take sometimes. If our preparedness is properly addressed, some of these things can be better averted.

"When people are building houses we should be able to put in place measures to address unforeseen circumstances. Now that we are building the new secretariat every measure should be taken to ensure that we forestall it when they arise.

"Our public buildings generally should be of standard to ensure that these disasters are addressed at design stage."

On whether the amended Constitution has become operational, Ekweremadu said: "The amendment is operational. Until they seek legal interpretation, the amendment has become operational. See, our business is to make laws and once those laws are made, we become what" lawyer call

"funtus officio."

"So, the law is operational until it is set aside by the court. We are not going to worry ourselves about that; as far as we are concerned we have done our job. If anybody thinks otherwise he goes to court and until the court makes pronouncement on it that is the law and that is what Nigerians will obey."



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