Judiciary proscribes Yan Bindiga, Yan Ta’adda groups, others
Membership declared unlawful
The battle against banditry and terrorism received a judicial backing yesterday.
A Federal High Court in Abuja has outlawed the activities of some groups linked to banditry and declared their activities as acts of terrorism.
Also, President Muhammadu Buhari gave a fresh directive to security agencies to rekindle the anti-terror war and rid the country of terrorists.
The military has not been able to deploy the Super Tucano planes it bought from the United States (U.S.) to crush the bandits and gunmen in the Northwest and Northcentral because of the agreement between the Nigerian and U.S. governments.
According the pact, the aircraft, acquired to boost the battle against Boko Haram insurgents and members of the Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) in the Northeast, would be deployed against terrorists and not bandits.
At an event attended by the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard, U.S. Principal Deputy National Security Advisor Jonathan Finer, said the terms of the agreement during the sale of the 12 fighter jets were explicit.
He was reacting to a question on whether the Tucano aircrafts might be deployed to crush secessionists.
Finer said the planes were an important platform for security.
He said: “We are pleased to deepen our security cooperation with the Nigerian government. I think we made it very clear our expectations about this platform where it would be used and in the right way and we are always raising concerns when we have them and that it’s true with all our security partners around the world.
“This is an important platform for security, particularly in the North and we are pleased the transaction is finally concluded.”
In a ruling yesterday, the Abuja court specifically declared the activities of the “Yan Bindiga Group” and the “Yan Ta’adda Group” and other similar groups in any part of the country, especially in the Northwest and Northcentral geo-political zones, as “acts of terrorism and illegality”.
It equally proscribed the Yan Bindiga Group and the Yan Ta’adda Group as well as other similar groups in any part of Nigeria, especially in the Northwest and Northcentral geo-political zones, “either in groups or as individuals by whatever names they are called.”
The court restrained “any person or group of persons from participating in any manner whatsoever, in any form of activities involving or concerning the prosecution of the collective intention or otherwise of the Yan Bindiga Group and the Yan Ta’adda Group under any other name or platform however called or described.”
The court ordered the Federal Government to publish the prosecution order in the Official Gazette and two national dailies.
Justice Taiwo Taiwo gave the orders in a ruling after listening to Aminu Kayode Alilu, from the Federal Ministry of Justice, who argued the motion ex-parte filed by the Federal Government to that effect.
Justice Taiwo said he was convinced that such orders were necessary in view of the nefarious activities of bandits and their effects on the people and the nation’s economy.
The judge also proscribed all other groups in the country, irrespective of their names, but whose activities and objectives are similar to those of Yan Bindiga Group and the Yan Ta’adda Group.
Justice Taiwo listed terror activities to “include, but not limited to banditry, kidnappings for ransom, kidnapping for marriage, mass abductions of school children and other citizens, cattle rustling, enslavement, imprisonment, severe deprivation of physical liberty, torture, rape, sexual slavery, enforced prostitution, forced pregnancy, other forms of sexual violence, attacks and killings in communities and commuters and wanton destruction of lives and properties in Nigeria.”
The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) at the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mohammed Abubakar, who filed the motion ex-parte, said President Muhammadu Buhari gave approval for his action, which objective is the proscription of Yan Bindiga and Yan Ta’adda groups and other terrorist groups in the country.
The Federal Government, in a supporting affidavit to ex-parte motion, explained its decision to approach the court for the orders.
It stated that security reports have confirmed that the bandit groups were responsible for the killings, abductions, rapes, kidnappings and related acts of criminality in the Northeast, Northcentral and other parts of the country.
The Federal Government attributed to the groups, the growing cases of “banditry, incessant kidnappings for ransom, kidnapping for marriage, mass abductions of school children and other citizens, cattle rustling, enslavement, imprisonment, severe deprivation of physical liberty, torture, rape, sexual slavery, enforced prostitution, forced pregnancy, other forms of sexual violence, attacks and killings in communities and commuters and wanton destruction of lives and properties in Nigeria, particularly in the Northwest and Northcentral states in Nigeria are being carried out by Yan Bindiga and Yan Ta’adda groups and other groups associated with or engaged in the same or similar activities as Yan Bindiga and Yan Ta’adda Groups in Nigeria.”
It added that Yan Bindiga and Yan Ta’adda groups and other similar groups have also been involved in killings of soldiers, police and other security agents across the country.
The government noted that the activities of the groups have resulted in the disruption of commercial, educational and farming activities in the Northwest and Northcentral.
It added: “The activities of Yan Bindiga and Yan Ta’adda groups and other similar groups constitute acts of terrorism that can lead to a breakdown of public order and safety and is a threat to national security and the corporate existence of Nigeria.”
By Nduka Chiejina, Frank Ikpefan and Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja
Plans by the Federal Government to stop petrol subsidy payment and introduce N5,000 monthly transport grants is not intended to impose more hardship on Nigerians, Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, assured yesterday.
He said nothing has been decided as talks with Labour continues.
According to him, such policies will not be implemented without Nigerians, through Labour, being carried along.
He said the government has lined up palliatives to cushion the effect of the planned subsidy removal.
These, he said, include the roll-out of gas-powered vehicles for mass transit, soft loans to farmers, conditional cash transfers to workers, among others.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer Mele Kyari said on Tuesday that petrol will sell between N320 and N340 per litre from February.
He said Nigeria would be out of the subsidy regime in the first quarter of 2022, but that the Federal Government plans to give N5,000 each to 40 million citizens to cushion the effects.
On Wednesday, Organised Labour rejected the planned removal of petrol subsidy, saying the thoughts are “cloudy and appear to be a ‘penny wise-pound foolish’ gamble.”
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) warned that any attempt to unilaterally end the subsidy regime without meeting its demands would be met with stiff resistance.
Ngige said: “The government will not go ahead and do as it pleases; the government has never been doing so.
“Government will always engage labour in the scheme of social dialogue which is one of the cardinal principles of decent work of the International Labour Organisation.”
According to Ngige, the tripartite committee – consisting of labour, Federal Government and employers have only done phase one of its work.
He said the larger house is awaiting the report of the NNPC in the second phase on what needs to be done for the subsidy to be removed.
Ngige said: “We don’t intend to jettison social dialogue. However, the committee we put in place, even the one led by NNPC on fuel subsidy and the palliative that is going to follow it, we have only done phase one of the work.
“The second phase of the work is for them (NNPC) to come and present to us what we are supposed to do if the subsidy is to go.
“How much the removal will save and how much it is going to be used for the benefit of the people?
“We have not reconvened. I chair that committee. When we reconvene, we will cross the bridge as we get there.
“The people who have spoken on it are speaking as fiscal people because this is a budget season, so the finance minister might have had some reasons for saying what she is saying; same with NNPC GMD who generates revenue from NNPC.
“But they will not take workers or Nigerians for granted. I am hopeful; I am optimistic that there will be discussions in the coming weeks.
“The meeting has not been reconvened because we are still waiting for the final report. Most of these meetings are tripartite.
“We have the government people there; we have labour and we have NNPC on one side.”
The minister also said the tripartite committee may reconvene its meeting before the end of the year to address the fears of labour.
“As the chairman, I will contact them all – NNPC and the rest of them, invite them and we will fix our meeting. There is a likelihood that the meeting will hold this year.
“What the Labour people are kicking against is taking a unilateral decision against them or shaving their heads behind their back.
“There is no implementation yet. Minister of Finance and GMD of NNPC – as the managers of revenues are telling you what they think we should do in 2022. That is what is there. This is not a one-off thing.
“It will be done in such a way that it conforms with the discussions we are already having. There must be a discussion.
“Labour and Nigerians should not worry. We are not interested in punishing anybody,” the minister added.
PDP: Poor Nigerians won’t Benefit from subsidy removal
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman-elect Iyorchia Ayu warned against imposing more hardship on Nigerians.
He told reporters: “The PDP does not believe in visiting more hardship on the Nigerian people.
“The party has not discussed the issue of increase in petroleum prices but our general position is that the people of Nigeria are already hard-pressed; there is so much hardship.
“If you are poor, you are not going to benefit from what is called petroleum subsidy because if you increase the price of petroleum products today, with the kind of suffering that Nigerians are going through, it means that there will be enormous difficulty in transportation.
“Food prices will escalate and there are already very high prices out there. You will find that the crime rate will increase.
“Every single vice which has escalated under the All Progressives Congress (APC) will double.
“So, the APC government is trying to take us into the highest level of suffering and ultimately, taking Nigerians to a position of nonexistence.”
‘N5,000 palliative to be funded from special account’
The Nation learnt yesterday that the Federal Government may fund the N5,000 transportation palliative that will follow the exit of petrol subsidy from a special account.
Petrol subsidy will run for the first six months of 2022 while the N5,000 transportation palliative will begin before the end of petrol subsidy.
The money to fund petrol subsidy and the N5,000 transportation palliative will be drawn from a special account domiciled in the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF), it was learnt.
One of our correspondents learnt that the special account “is funded as revenue accrues to the Federal Government”.
As has been the practice in the past, the Federal Government may present a supplementary budget to the National Assembly containing details of the funding for the post-subsidy transportation palliative.
At the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) COP26, which held in Glasgow, the United Kingdom from October 31 to November 13, the Nigerian delegation led by President Muhammadu Buhari joined other policymakers, world leaders and delegates around the world, to re-emphasise commitment to reducing emissions, among others. ALAO ABIODUN chronicles Nigeria’s activities in Glasgow
President Muhammadu Buhari led Nigeria’s delegation to the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of Parties (COP26) which was held in Glasgow, the United Kingdom (UK) two weeks ago.
Nigeria is among the over 190 countries that are signatory to the Paris Agreement, with a goal of combating climate change.
With over 30,000 delegates, this year’s summit underscored the Paris Agreement, with increased commitments on finance, emissions and adaptation.
At the end of this year’s conference, a climate compromise was reached and adopted by 197 nations/parties. It was tagged the “Glasgow Climate Pact.”
The Glasgow Climate Pact secured a 2023 timeline for countries to resubmit their national emissions-reduction targets to be more aligned with 1.5°C (2.7°F) of warming.
Over the years, the climate change conference has shaped climate negotiations and ensured countries stay consistently aligned and committed to reducing their emissions — global warming and climate change impacts.
The UNFCCC came into force in 1994; parties have been meeting annually since 1995. The first COP was in April 1995, in Berlin, Germany.
This year, the United Kingdom (UK) hosted the 26th session of the COP, otherwise known as COP26. However, from 1995 till now is 27 years, but due to the pandemic, COP26 was rescheduled.
Buhari had joined the World Leaders’ Summit, a special session of the 12-day event, where presidents and global personalities spoke on how to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
He made a commitment that Nigeria will cut its carbon emission to net-zero by 2060, saying it would be a gradual process, considering that the country is still developing and is oil-dependent.
On July 31, the country submitted to the UNFCCC its updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDCs) which are national commitments with an ambitious timeline.
In the NDCs, Nigeria said, with international support, it would reduce its emissions by 47 per cent instead of 45 per cent captured in its previous NDCs document.
But despite the series of paperwork, policies and strategies to tackle climate change in Nigeria, the legal framework backing the implementation of most of the country’s climate change plans is yet to be put in place.
Nigeria faces numerous challenges resulting from the impacts of climate change. This impact can be seen in rising temperatures, inconsistent rain patterns, flooding, drought, and polluted freshwater resources.
The climate change Act, according to experts who spoke to The Nation, would provide legal backing for the implementation of climate change policies and programmes, especially achieving a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions (GHG).
The Act will ensure many organisations and individuals become more responsible and accountable for their actions and activities that affect the climate.
Addressing leaders at this year’s conference, Alok Sharma, the President for COP 26 said: “The science is clear that the window of time we have to keep the goal of 1.5? alive and to avoid the worst effects of climate change is closing fast.
“But with political will and commitment, we can, and must, deliver an outcome in Glasgow the world can be proud of.”
Despite having contributed the least to global warming and having the lowest emissions, Africa faces collateral damage from the activities of developed countries.
The World Meteorological Organisation’s State of the Climate in Africa report, published in October, stated that climate change has accelerated extreme poverty and insecurity in low-income vulnerable communities—with 118 million people living in extreme poverty set to be exposed to droughts, floods, and extreme heat by 2030.
Similarly, according to a recent World Bank’s New Groundswell Africa, Africa has been identified as one of the vulnerable spots of climate change.
Owing to the different reports and findings, African countries at COP26 focused on adaptation, climate finance, a market mechanism (Article 6), ambitious NDCs, a transparency mechanism, meeting pre-2020 mitigation commitments and recognising Africa’s unique needs and circumstances.
While climate finance was a fundamental priority at this year’s conference, a series of discussions were also centred on how countries most vulnerable to climate change can access the finance needed to deliver climate adaptation and boost green recovery from the pandemic.
Meanwhile, it will be the turn of Africa to host the COP27. It will take place in November 2022, in Egypt.
But the bottom-line remains that the small steps of the Glasgow Climate Pact must be put into action, and must be fully realised before COP27.
Highlights of key decisions from #COP26
A two-year ‘Glasgow Sharm el-Sheikh Work Programme’ to define a new global goal on adaptation.
A pledge from developed countries to “at least double” adaptation finance between 2019 and 2025.
Acknowledgement of the loss and damage already being caused by warming and welcome for the operationalisation of the “Santiago Network.”
A two-year ‘Glasgow Dialogue’ “to discuss the arrangements for the funding of activities to avert, minimise and address loss and damage.”
A note of “deep regret” that the $100 billion climate finance goal has not yet been met, with developed countries “urge[d]” to “fully deliver…urgently and through 2025.”
A pledge to “significantly increase” financial support and a new body to agree on the post-2025 finance goal by 2024.
An invitation for Parties to “consider further actions to reduce by 2030” other greenhouse gases, including methane.
Nigeria will cut carbon emission to net-zero by 2060 – Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari, at this year’s summit, said Nigeria will cut its carbon emission to net-zero by 2060.
Buhari noted that the conference happened at a time the world is suffering from the devastating effects of climate change.
“Desertification in the North, drought in the centre, pollution in the coast are enough evidence for all to see, Nigeria is committed to net-zero by 2060.
“In our lifetime, Lake Chad has gone from an adverse expanse of biodiversity to a shadow of itself; we are investing in renewed growth, hydro dams, and solar projects – Nigeria is not looking to make the same mistake that will be suffered in the future.”
Buhari said the government is looking for partners, technology, and finance to make cleaner and efficient use of all available resources for a more stable transition in energy markets.
He informed the audience that Nigeria’s revised nationally determined contribution has additional priority sectors, including water and waste, nature-based solution, adaptation and resilience, vulnerability assessment and a clean, cooking, gender and green job assessment, bottom-up renewable energy transition pathway to 2030.
Calling the attention of the COP26 President to the centrality of financial support to developing countries in order to attain national and global climate change goals, he noted that it will require technical and financial support to developing countries.
Buhari said the country plans to electrify five million households and 25 million people using decentralised solar energy solutions.
“In the area of energy access, Nigeria’s commitment to a just transition is reflected in our initial energy compact, which includes the government’s flagship project to electrify five million households and 25 million people using decentralised solar energy solution. This is a major step towards closing our energy access deficit by 2030,” he said.
He said the outcome of COP26 must result in a quick resolution of all outstanding issues pertaining to the finalisation of the Paris Agreement rule book, adaptation, mitigation, finance, article six and loss and damages.
Nigeria, 104 countries pledge to end ‘deforestation’ by 2030
Nigeria at this year’s summit pledged to end deforestation by 2030. The countries that made the pledge cover about 85 per cent of the world’s forest.
Over 100 countries’ leaders made the pledge at the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP 26 in Glasgow.
The world leaders promised to raise $19.2 billion in public and private funds between now and 2030. It said some of the funds will be channelled to developing countries to restore the damaged environment.
About 28 countries also committed to removing deforestation from the global trade of food and other agricultural products such as palm oil, soya and cocoa.
These industries drive forest loss by cutting down trees to make space for animals to graze or crops to grow.
Climate Change bill assent will put Nigeria on track – Ekweremadu
Chairman, Senate Committee on the Environment and member of the Paris-based Climate Parliament, Senator Ike Ekweremadu said the signing of the climate change bill, will put Nigeria on the right track.
Ekweremadu, who spoke to our correspondent at the summit, said: “I am happy that we have been able to pass the Climate Change Bill.
He was optimistic that Nigeria will have the necessary frameworks, in terms of well-outlined, articulated and attractive policy, to address climate change challenges and attract investments (climate finance).
‘Nigeria’s local women need access to climate finance’
Countries, world leaders, private organisations, others have been urged to make climate finance accessible to women.
This was stated at the unveiling of a project compilation entitled Women-led Climate Solutions in Nigeria.”
The unveiling was witnessed by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs (OSSAP-SDGs) Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Mrs Belinda Odeneye Aderonke and a host of other prominent Nigerian delegates at COP26.
During the unveiling, the Executive Director, Centre for 21st Century Issues (C21st), Titilope Ngozi Akosa stated that many women do not have access to finance, noting that climate finance is pivotal to benefiting women and communities.
“Local women are doing actively well in their various communities, they’ve their gender just solutions, Women-led climate solutions. All they need is funding to upscale their solutions,” she stated.
She explained that the women-led climate solutions is a compilation aimed at promoting and showcasing solutions targeted towards addressing more equitable and sustainable ways to climate change crisis.
The document focused on capturing solutions addressing climate change adaptation and mitigation which aligns with the priority sectors of Nigeria’s National Determined Contributions (NDCs) namely: agriculture, transport, energy, waste management, and water and sanitation.
While unveiling the document, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs (OSSAP-SDGs) Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, stated that the solutions will address climate change issues in tandem with SDG goals.
She pledged more of the government’s commitment to climate change adaptation programmes.
Similarly, the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi who led the state delegation, commended the initiative and also noted that the state government is committed to tackling the various environmental challenges, including climate change.
Supporting communities to build resilience against disasters
Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq stated that the Federal Government is committed to supporting communities to build resilience against disasters and shocks.
While speaking to our correspondent on Nigeria’s efforts in climate change adaptation in humanitarian and disaster risk reduction context, she explained that the Federal Government has put in place different systems and structures on how to mitigate and prevent disasters in communities across the country.
She further affirmed that the ministry under her leadership remains resolute in supporting communities and also improving the livelihood of citizens across communities.
How Lagos is tackling health-induced challenges
Lagos delegation at #COP26
The Lagos delegation led by the State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi stated that the numerous health challenges, especially the rise in infectious diseases, is due to the climatic aberration affecting Africa.
Abayomi explained that the state is adopting the ‘one health’ paradigm, which means looking at health holistically; focusing on human health in the context of environmental health, agricultural health, physical planning and urban development, and in the context of the law.
He said: “Under the THEMES agenda, pillar number 2 — health and environment — is in the same pillar because the Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has a very futuristic vision because even before he (Sanwo-Olu) assumed office, he was able to see the synergies between health and environment.
Abayomi further said the Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration has conceptualised the smart medical infrastructure transformation that is climate-smart.
“As populations increase, medical facilities must be designed in such a way that they can be expanded, and re-purposing so that whenever we have COVID-19 again, there won’t be a rush in building isolation facilities,” he explained.
Other officials, including General Manager, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) Dr Dolapo Fasawe; Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Mrs Belinda Odeneye Aderonke, Chairman, Ojokoro LCDA, Hammed Tijani Idowu spoke separately on how the state under the leadership of Babajide Sanwo-Olu remains committed to tackling the climate crisis and other health challenges.
LASEPA boss, Fasawe stated that the environment and the economy are really both sides of the same coin, noting that if one cannot sustain one’s environment, one won’t be able to sustain oneself.
She explained that many are ignorant of the disadvantages attached to air pollution, especially health-related challenges.
Fasawe stated that 75 per cent of greenhouse gases and volatile organic compounds are contributed by traffic in Lagos State.
Chairman, Ojokoro Local Council Development Area, Hammed Tijani Idowu, said the Ojokoro council area is keying into the agenda of the Lagos State Government with respect to managing climate issues, and putting up a climate action plan.
He noted that the local government under his leadership, has dedicated every October 4 as tree planting day and also a team of people have been instructed to sensitise people in the community to the effects of climate change.
Zamfara to plant one million trees, says Matawalle
Zamfara State Governor Bello Matawalle
Zamfara State Governor Bello Matawalle said his administration will plant one million trees to tackle desertification in the state.
He stated that the tree-planting project would be executed in partnership with Nigeria’s Great Green Wall project aimed at fighting desertification and soil erosion.
Matawalle argued that climate change, which was a major driver to armed banditry bedevilling the state, was the result of the taking over of pastoralists’ grazing reserves, water and resting points.
He further noted that his administration was doing its best to protect natural habitats, protect and restore the ecosystem and reclaim the land by building defences, including resilient infrastructure and agriculture.
President Muhammadu Buhari is presiding over the National Security Council (NSC) meeting at the State House, Abuja.
The President is expected to be briefed on latest security developments across the country.
The meeting is being attended among others by the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Chief of Staff to the President, Prof Ibrahim Gambari; National Security Adviser (NSA), Major General Babagana Monguno (rtd) and the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Leo Irabor.
The three service chiefs of Army, Navy and Air Force as well as the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, are also attending the meeting.
Before the commencement of the meeting, Buhari, with the assistance of Osinbajo, decorated his Aide De Camp (ADC), Lt Col Yusuf Mukhtar Dodo, with his new red neck rank of Colonel.
A slight disagreement between Islamic clerics and family of late Nollywood actor Babatunde Omidina aka Baba Suwe has caused a delay in the burial of popular comic actor.
The Nationreports Baba Suwe will be laid to rest on Thursday in his Ikorodu residence in Lagos state.
Massive crowd early Thursday morning besieged the Ikorodu residence of the late actor to catch a glimpse of his body.
The cleric, Sheikh Ahamad Olanrewaju Alfulanny, who spoke to The Nation, expressed dissatisfaction over the un-islamic practices exhibited by the family and other well wishers.
He noted that in Islam, the normal practice is to bury a dead person within few hours of being pronounced dead.
He said although Baba Suwe, until his demise, was a celebrity Islam who does not give room for unnecessary jamboree during burials.
He said, “There are so many things that they are doing, that are un-Islamic, they put his body in a casket, some other well-wishers even said they want to take his body round, but the family has told us they won’t bury him with his body inside the casket.”
Well-wishers, sympathisers were unhappy over the decision but the clerics said the family has agreed to abide by the Islamic practice.
Strong indications have emerged the crisis rocking Plateau Assembly appears to be over as all 24 lawmakers are expected to be present during Thursday plenary.
Sources close to the embattled impeached Speaker Abok Ayuba said the Forum of former Plateau Speakers may have brokered a deal among the lawmakers who have been having a running battle with the house leadership since October.
A loyalist of Abok, Hon. Sohchang Zingtim, confirmed to The Nation that the peace deal was real.
He said: “There is something like that. We are travelling back to Jos but I cannot tell you the time when sitting will commence, but, there is something like that.”
After a review of last year’s Budget of Rekindled Hope before the Lagos State House of Assembly, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu yesterday proposed a N1.39 trillion Budget of Consolidation to the lawmakers as 2022 Appropriation Bill.
The governor announced a huge capital vote to service critical sectors to consolidate the recovery of the state’s economy.
In the proposed ¦ 1,388,285,459,990.51 Bill, Sanwo-Olu said his government would be disbursing N325 billion to deliver infrastructure projects in key sectors to stimulate the economy.
The governor listed the critical sectors as Works and Infrastructure, Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Agriculture, Transportation, Energy and Mineral Resources, Tourism, Entertainment and Creative Industry, Commerce and Industry, Wealth Creation and Employment.
About N823.4 billion (representing 59 per cent of the 2022 budget) is earmarked for capital expenditure and recurrent expenditure of N565 billion (representing 41 per cent) would go into personnel cost, overhead and debt services.
The budget has N1.135 billion total revenue deficit financing of N253, 126 billion.
Sanwo-Olu put the recurrent expenditure at N564.93 billion (representing 41 per cent) and capital expenditure at N823.35 billion (representing 59 per cent) of the total budget size.
In reviewing outgoing year’s Appropriation Act, Sanwo-Olu said the “Budget of Rekindled Hope” has performed well, despite the challenges encountered in the fiscal.
He said: “In the first quarter of 2021, Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) stood at N128.2 billion, about 28 per cent higher than IGR in the corresponding quarter of 2020, which stood at N100.3 billion.
“Also, in that Q1 2021, capital expenditure amounted to N119.92 billion, representing 68 per cent performance on target.
“Q2 2021 revenue recorded a performance of 76 per cent of our projected target for the quarter, while expenditure came to 82 per cent of target. In the third quarter, the total revenue amounted to 78 per cent of projection, while total expenditure attained 79 per cent of the target.”
Presenting the 2022 estimates, Sanwo-Olu said: “This 2022 Budget is the next step on our journey to true and sustainable greatness in Lagos State. 2022 is a year in which we will focus obsessively on completing ongoing projects, while also expanding our social intervention programs and support for citizens, and for micro and small businesses.
“Despite experiencing one of the most challenging times in modern history in our beloved state, we have advanced in a manner that ensures that conviction of our progress is incontestable.
“The results speak very eloquently in the various facets of our communities, even in the face of numerous devastating situations, which would have been acceptable justifications for underperformance.
“Lagosians can testify to the improved standard of infrastructure delivered by our administration throughout the 377 wards across the state, which aligns with the state’s mission to eradicate poverty and promote economic growth through infrastructural renewal and development.
“But we cannot afford to rest on our oars. We are therefore using this opportunity to again announce our commitment to delivering the Lagos of our dreams: Africa’s model mega city, a global economic and financial hub that is safe, secure and productive
“The 2022 budget is aimed at consolidating all our efforts so far into timely delivery of our electoral promises of a ‘Greater Lagos’ to all citizens and residents of the state. Our destination is now in sight.
“This budget projects a continuing but very gradual recovery to growth in economic activity as the global economy cautiously recovers from the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic. We have therefore approached our revenue expectations with cautious optimism.
“Lagos will continue to be at the forefront of the push for a fiscal framework that is truly reflective of the contributions and status of the constituent parts of our Federal Republic, and that empowers the units that are closest to the people to deliver the dividends of democracy more effectively.
“We, as a nation, must realise that every investment in Lagos has implications for national development, whether it is the ten-lane airport road leading from the International airport, or the Lekki deep sea port, together with the six lane Lekki Epe expressway, or the Red and Blue rail line moving 32 million commuters from Okoko and Agbado to Marina – these all serve to improve the commercial capacity of Nigeria and prepare her as a trading hub ready for the African Continental free trade area agreement.
“We no doubt have attained considerable success, while we have progressed much further than where we used to be, we are still not where we would like to be. There is still so much work to be done and we cannot allow complacency to set in.
“As we move forward, we will intensify the ongoing public sector reforms to enable better and more efficient delivery of quality service to the public with transparency, integrity, accountability and the spirit of true service.
“I urge all our workers to embrace the change that is upon us, and to constantly seek to improve on your skills, knowledge, and capacity, in the public interest.
“I assure you that we will amplify the pace and scope of our work in the days and weeks and months ahead. There lies ahead of us even more challenging roads that we must walk together if we must achieve the Lagos of our dreams. I will always remain committed to Lagosians and the Lagos project, leading from the front, communicating, welcoming, receiving counsel, and taking decisive action.
“I will strive to deliver on your hopes and aspirations, never letting you down”, he said.
House Speaker Mudashiru Obasa praised the governor for the ‘outstanding performance’ of the 2021 budget, especially in infrastructural renewal and wealth creation. He promised a speedy and meticulous vetting of the 2022 Appropriation Bill.
Describing the progress recorded under Sanwo-Olu’s watch as commendable, Obasa urged the executive arm to look inward and devise other methods of improving on the state’s IGR.
The speaker said: “While the projections of this administration are being guided by its THEMES agenda, we need to further strengthen it to touch the lives of the people.
“It is a known fact that Lagos has the highest foreign debt profile. This loan has been the secret behind most of the infrastructural developments we all see all over the state. Nevertheless, I will advise the executive to focus more on intense projects that will be geared towards alleviating poverty in our state.”
The Speaker pledged more legislative support for the executive to achieve all the outlined objectives in the proposal.
Yesterday’s presentation was witnessed by Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat, members of the State Executive Council (SEC), lawmakers, royal fathers, white cap chiefs, Lagos State Commissioner of Police Hakeem Odumosu, members of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), heads of security agencies, local government chairmen, and concerned stakeholders.
Source of N5,000 transport grant to 40m Nigerians not yet determined, says minister
Senate: no provision for palliative in next year’s budget
NLC: no agreement with govt
Labour yesterday rejected the proposed hike in pump price of fuel to N340 per litre next year.
It warned that an increase in the price of petrol will lead to hyper-inflation and an astronomical rise in the cost of goods and services.
Besides, the trade union said talks over petrol subsidy with the government was inconclusive.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), in a statement by its President Ayuba Wabba, restated its rejection of deregulation based on an import-driven model.
Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer Mele Kyari said on Tuesday that petrol will sell between N320 and N340 per litre from February next year.
He said Nigeria would be out of the subsidy regime in the first quarter of 2022, but that the Federal Government plans to give N5,000 each to 40 million citizens to cushion the effects.
The NLC described the plan as “comical”, saying the amount involved in the “queer initiative” exceeds what is spent on fuel subsidy.
Also yesterday, the Senate said there was no budgetary provision for such palliative intervention.
Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, said the Federal Government has not taken a final decision on N5,000 disbursement.
Labour urged the Federal Government to fix the four refineries and make them work.
The statement reads in part: “The response of the Nigeria Labour Congress is that what we are hearing is the conversation of the Federal government with neo-liberal international monetary institutions.
“The conversation between the government and the people of Nigeria, especially workers under the auspices of the trade union movement on the matter of fuel subsidy, was adjourned sine die so many months ago.
“Given the nationwide panic that has trailed the disclosure of the monologue within the corridors of government and foreign interests, the Nigeria Labour Congress wishes to posit that it continues to maintain its rejection of deregulation based on import driven model.
“It is difficult to convince Nigerian workers why our dear country is the only country among the OPEC member countries that cannot produce its own refined petroleum products and thus adopts the neo-liberal import production model of refined petroleum products.
“We wish to reiterate our persuasion that the only benefit of deregulation based on the import-driven model is that Nigerian consumers will infinitely continue to pay high prices for refined petroleum products.
“This situation will definitely be compounded by the astronomical devaluation of the naira, which currently goes for N560 to 1US$ in the parallel market.”
NLC believes that any attempt to compare the price of petrol in Nigeria to other countries would be set on a faulty premise.
It said such a comparison would be akin to comparing apples to mangoes.
NLC added: “The contemplation by the government to increase the price of petrol by more than 200 per cent is a perfect recipe for an aggravated pile of hyper-inflation and astronomical increase in the price of goods and services.
“This will open a wide door to unintended social consequences such as degeneration of the current insecurity crises and possibly citizens’ revolt. This is not an outcome that any sane Nigeria wishes for.
“The argument that the complete surrender of the price of petrol to market forces would normalise the curve of demand and supply as is being wrongly attributed to the current market realities with cooking gas, diesel and kerosene is very obtuse.
“The truth is that these commodities which Nigeria can easily produce have been priced out of the reach of most Nigerian families with the majority of our people resorting to tree felling and charcoal for their energy needs.
“Finally, we wish to warn that the bait by the government to pay 40 million Nigerians N5000 as a palliative to cushion the effect of the astronomical increase in the price of petrol is comical, to say the least.
“The total amount involved in this queer initiative is far more than the money government claims to spend currently on fuel subsidy.
“Apart from our concerns on the transparency of the disbursement given previous experiences with such schemes, we are wondering if the government is not trying to rob Nigerians to pay Nigerians? Why pay me N5000 and then subject me to perpetual suffering?”
According to the Congress, the government’s decision to remove the petrol subsidy is “cloudy”.
“Clearly, government thoughts on the so-called removal of fuel subsidy is cloudy and appears to be a ‘penny wise-pound foolish’ gamble.
“It is clear that the palliative offered by the government will not cure the cancer that will befall the mass of our people who suffer the double jeopardy of hype-inflation while their salaries remain fixed.
“As we had done several times, we call on the Federal Government to consider various options that can help Nigeria navigate out of the quagmire constructed by the failure of successive governments to embrace developmental governance and accountable leadership. Some of the viable options that can help include:
“Insulate the domestic consumers from the market pressure brought about by the free fall of the naira by arranging with contiguous refineries not far from Nigeria to swap crude oil with refined petroleum products;
“Accelerate work on the rehabilitation of Nigeria’s four major refineries which are all currently operating at near-zero installed capacity; and
“Establish empirical data on the quantity of refined petroleum products consumed daily by Nigerians.
“It is unfortunate that this record remains a myth and a huge crater for all manner of official sleaze and leakages in the downstream petroleum sub-sector of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.”
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu highlights the challenges of conducting credible elections and democratic consolidation at a parley with the media in Lagos.
Nigeria’s size and population make it one of the biggest democracies in the world. It is certainly the second largest presidential democracy after the United States of America. The size of our voter population and elective institutions make elections in Nigeria a huge undertaking. This fact is better appreciated within our regional context. There are 15 countries in West Africa today, including Nigeria. However, with the current voter population of over 84 million, Nigeria has about 11 million more registered voters than the other 14 countries put together which have 73.6 million registered voters. Conducting a general election in Nigeria is like holding election in West Africa and beyond.
Furthermore, the statutory responsibilities of INEC make it both an Election Management Body and Electoral Commission. Section 53 (f) of Part 1 to the Third Schedule the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) requires the Commission to organize, undertake and supervise all elections to the offices of the President and Vice-president, the Governor and Deputy Governor of a state, and to the membership of the Senate, the House of Representatives and the House of Assembly of each State of the Federation. In order to do so effectively, there are other extensive responsibilities undertaken by the Commission which include:
The registration and regulation of political parties, including the monitoring of party and campaign finance as well as their primaries, congresses, meetings and conventions;
Nationwide continuous registration of voters and the maintenance of the national register of voters;
Prosecution of electoral offenders; Creation of polling units; Delimitation of electoral constituencies; Voter education and publicity; Management of electoral logistics; Election security in consultation with the security agencies; Strategic engagement with stakeholders;
Formulation of regulations and guidelines for the conduct of elections and electoral activities to give clarity to the provisions of the Constitution and Electoral Act; and maintenance of extensive physical assets (offices, residential accommodation and other facilities) nationwide.
In addition, elections are held all-year round between one General Election and another with no respite. There is no election season any longer in Nigeria. The Commission has to think literally on its feet as it reflects, strategises, and innovates and pilots the new innovations. For instance, since the 2019 general election, the Commission has conducted 36 elections made up of 5 Governorship constituencies (Anambra, Bayelsa, Edo, Kogi and Ondo), 6 Senatorial Districts, 7 Federal Constituencies (House of Representatives seats) and 18 State Assembly constituencies. Yet, there are more elections to be conducted in the next 8 months. The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections made up of 68 constituencies (6 Council Chairmen and 62 Councillors) is scheduled to hold on 12th February 2022, followed by the Ekiti and Osun State Governorship elections holding on 18th June 2022 and 16th July 2022 respectively. There are also three pending Federal constituency bye-elections (Jos North/Bassa in Plateau State, Akure North/Akure South in Ondo State and Ogoja/Yala in Cross River State) and 3 State constituencies (Ekiti East I in Ekiti State, Shinkafi in Zamfara State and Akpabuyo in Cross River State). While the off-season Governorship elections are known in advance, the bye-elections, mainly caused by the deaths of serving members of the National and State Assembly, are unpredictable.
Elections COVID-19 Pandemic:
The world was confronted with the emergence of the deadly COVID-19 Pandemic in November 2019 The first case was reported in Nigeria on 27th February 2020, forcing the Federal and State governments to take series of actions to protect citizens. The pandemic caused extensive disruptions in the country’s electoral system, forcing the Commission to the postpone four bye-elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Plateau States. The highly contagious nature of the virus meant that the Commission cannot conduct these elections without considering how to protect election officials and other stakeholders from the risk of infection. In response, the Commission came up with the Policy on Conducting Elections in the Context of the COVID – 19 Pandemic in May 2020. The policy, which was first of its kind in Africa outlined the measures to be put in place to ensure the safety of citizens that would participate as voters, candidates, or officials on election day. It was successfully applied during the Nasarawa Central State Constituency bye-election, held on 8th August 2021 and in other elections thereafter, including the Edo and Ondo Governorship election in September and October this year.
Voter Access to Polling Units:
For 25 years, between 1996 and 2021, the number of polling units in Nigeria remained the same, despite the progressive increase in the number of the voting population over the years. For instance, in 1999, the number of registered voters was 57,938,945, 60,823,022 in 2003; 61,567,036 in 2007; 67,422,005 in 2015 and 84,004,084 in 2019. Yet, the number of PUs remained the same. While the law gives INEC the power to create new PUs and allocate voters to them, all attempts made by the Commission to do so within the period were met with spurious allegations based on political considerations. Following several unsuccessful attempts to create additional PUs, the Commission established Voting Points and Voting Point Settlements across the States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). After wide-ranging consultations with stakeholders and fieldwork by our officials, the 56,872 Voting Points and Voting Point Settlements were converted to full-fledged Poling Units in April 2021 bringing the total number of PUs in Nigeria to 176,846. The Polling Units can be viewed at (https://www.inecnigeria.org/elections/polling-units/).
Determined to deepen the use of technology and reduce human intervention in the critical stages of the electoral process, the Commission introduced new innovations. A few of them are identified as follows:
Processing of Nominations Forms:
The Commission has been discouraging human intervention in the electoral process. Since the 2019 General Election, the following activities are now conducted either partially or entirely online through dedicated portals:
Online Registration:
You will recall that the Commission often undertakes a fresh registration of eligible voters with every general election until 2010 when the first reliable biometric register of voters was compiled. Thereafter, the practice is to undertake intermittent registration of voters on the eve of major elections.
However, in April 2017, this Commission for the first time began the implementation of the registration of voters on a continuous basis as provided in the Electoral Act. By the time the CVR was suspended in August 2018 to prepare for the 2019 General Election, a total of 14,283,734 new voters had been registered and added to the national register of voters, increasing the overall number to 84, 004 084. As of 22nd November 2021, the CVR platform had recorded a total of 4,297,494 fresh registrants while 1,856,771 registrants have validated their application
INEC Voter Enrolment Device (IVED):
In June this year, INEC introduced a special gadget designed in-house by the Commission’s Engineers but fabricated abroad. It performs a variety of functions including physical registration of voters, fingerprint and facial authentication on election day and uploading of the polling unit result sheets to the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal. While the device was used as the INEC Voter Enrollment Device (IVED) at the resumption of the Continuous Voter Registration in June this year, it first was deployed for the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) in the Isoko South 1 State Constituency bye-election in Delta State on 11th September 2021 and later for the recently concluded Anambra Governorship election. In both elections, the equipment performed the functions of the Smart Card Readers (SCR) and the Z-Pad.
INEC Result Viewing Portal:
In our effort to engender transparency in the electoral process, the Commission unveiled the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal to make available for public view copies of the polling unit election result sheet, known as Form EC8A on Election Day. By Clicking on http://inecelectionresults.com and creating an account and password, any interested Nigerian can have access to the portal and view polling unit results are they are uploaded live. The Nasarawa Central Constituency by election held on 8th August was the first to have its polling units’ results uploaded to the portal, followed by the Edo and Ondo Governorship elections. However, before the introduction of IReV, the Commission had, during the 2017 Anambra State Governorship election, introduced the pasting of Form EC 60E, also known as the “People’s Result Sheet” at Polling Units, where citizens could view the result of each polling unit.
Direct Primaries:
Since it emerged that the Direct Primary clause was included in the Electoral Act amendment Bill, many of you have been asking the Commission for its position. But the issue is not about our position, but the process. In the exercise of its constitutional power, the National Assembly has passed the Bill into law awaiting presidential assent. Once the process is concluded, the Bill becomes law and every person and authority in Nigeria, including the Commission, must obey. The Commission will give expeditious consideration to the law, including the detailed regulations and guidelines for its implementation where necessary.
INEC/media partnership
One major area where we need your help is in containing fake news. The emergence of the Internet brought with it tremendous opportunities for all sectors, including the media and it has broadened the scope of human abilities to share information and knowledge within seconds. The dynamism of the social media, enabled by the power of the internet, has made it possible for media organisations like yours, to upload narratives which in turn are transmitted to digital platforms such as cell phones, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and so on, providing an opportunity for millions of people all over the world to watch them within a short time.
Quite often, those who try to undermine the electoral system and their sympathisers take advantage of the free social media space and sometimes even the traditional media to advance their interests and spread falsehood. This can take various forms. They can, for instance, cook up wild allegations against the Commission and/or its officials to frustrate a good policy which they perceive as inimical to their selfish interest. When such allegations get to you, please, thoroughly investigate. Afterall, one of the tenets of your noble profession is “fairness’ and “objectivity.” I implore you to always balance your stories.
Equally importantly, I urge you to understand the Commission’s processes and procedures and the laws governing our activities. The Commission does not believe in censorship. We are also aware that the greatest antidote to fake new is greater transparency and openness. We are committed to that. Let us work together to fight the scourge of fake news.
