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Tag: Abubakar Bukola Saraki

  • Senate assures on immediate review of tax laws

    Senate assures on immediate review of tax laws

    …PIB to be broken into sections for easy passage, says Saraki

     

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has assured that the Senate will streamline the country’s multiple taxation system to improve the ease of doing business in Nigeria.

    Saraki stated this during a dialogue at the 22nd Edition of the Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja.

    While answering questions from the audience, Saraki noted that Nigeria’s corporate taxation system needed to be reformed and revamped to get the country out of the economic recession.

    He said, “With 37 million small and medium scale enterprises providing about 95 percent of our jobs, as we promote ‘Made in Nigeria’, we must also use our legislative powers to amend the taxation laws

    “To get out of this recession, we must provide a business-friendly environment.”

    Speaking on the ‘Made in Nigeria’ theme of the summit, the Senate President lauded the organisers for keying into the Senate’s plan to empower home-grown businesses and ensure that Nigerian brands are strong enough to be patronized by our people and exported abroad.

    He said, “Earlier this year, when in the Senate we started the ‘Made in Nigeria’ campaign, we knew how important it was, but even we did not foresee how far it would go.

    “To promote the patronage of our domestic businesses, the Senate has gone as far as amending the Public Procurement Act to compel government ministries, departments and agencies to key into this initiative.”

    “It is our hope that Nigerian businesses can begin to benefit from the over N2 trillion in government expenditure in the 2016 budget,” he continued, “So that we can reduce the demand on foreign exchange while simultaneously creating employment, moving towards self sufficiency, increasing our GDP and boosting our Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

    Saraki also stated that the anti-recession Bills that the Senate has scheduled for passage by December ending include: the Petroleum Industry Bill; the National Development Bank of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill; the Nigerian Ports and Habours Authority Act (Amendment) Bill; the National Road Fund (Establishment) Bill; the National Transport Commission Act of 2001; the Warehouse Receipts Act (Amendment) Bill; the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA); the Investment and Securities Act (ISA); the Customs and Excise Management Act; the Federal Competition Bill; and the National Road Authority Bill.

    He noted that since the beginning of the year,  the Senate has worked to fast-track the over 40 priority bills recommended by the National Assembly Business Environment Roundtable (NASSBER), an initiative in which the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) is a major partner.

    The Senate President also said that one of the plans that the Senate has to ensure the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) in this administration, was to break the Bill into different sections for easier passage.

    The Senate President emphasised that with the passage of the PIB, Nigeria would generate more revenue from oil, putting it on track to come out of the economic recession.

    He noted that by focusing more on outcomes, rather than processes, the Senate has been able to pass 20 Bills for final reading in two weeks.

  • Teachers’ Day: Saraki makes case for teacher’s welfare

    Teachers’ Day: Saraki makes case for teacher’s welfare

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on Wednesday urged governments at all levels to prioritise the payment of salaries and general welfare of teachers in order to secure the future of the country.

    Saraki in a statement by his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity), Yusuph Olaniyonu, in Abuja, to mark this year’s Teachers’ Day, congratulated Nigerian teachers and their counterparts the world over for their sacrificial contribution to the advancement of knowledge and by extension, world civilization and development.

    Saraki reiterated his earlier call that teacher’s salaries should be included as an item in the capital vote of the budget to enable them receive their salaries and allowances as at when due.

    Saraki said: “There is an overarching need to prioritize teacher’s welfare so as to enable them continue to discharge their duties creditably and effectively particularly in this age of knowledge. It is only by doing that that we eliminate a situation where people either reluctantly go into the profession or go into it as a last option

    “It is a well established fact that teachers occupy a pristine place in our drive towards progress and development as a nation. Moreover, Teachers are the custodians of the repository of knowledge and as such should be seen as an integral partner towards an enduring development of our educational sector.

    “Issues of capacity building, training and re-training of teachers across the various tiers of our education architecture must form a fundamental aspect of our policies and national strategic plans. We must make deliberate and concise effort to boost teachers’ confidence and welfare. Every teacher must be assured of a minimum safety net during their pre and post retirement life.

    “Our teachers must be effectively protected by the existing pension schemes irrespective of their level of engagements i.e. Federal, State and at Local Government levels. Our teachers remain critical to the change we most earnestly desire in our educational sector in particular and the nation in general. We cannot afford to treat them any less,” he stated.

    He also called on teachers to rededicate themselves to their all important duty of spreading knowledge and banishing ignorance.

    “Our teachers must possess the necessary wherewithal for effective discharge of their assignment,” he said.

  • Senate receives 2017 MTEF

    Senate receives 2017 MTEF

    President Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday forwarded the 2017-2019 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) to the Senate for consideration and approval.

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki read the memo containing the fiscal document on the floor of the Senate Tuesday.

    The MTEF and FSP lay the framework for the 2017 budget which members of the National Assembly are expected to debate and approve to pave the way for the presentation of the budget.

    President Buhari in the memo said that he is pleased to submit the 2017-2019 MTEF and FSP to the National Assembly.

    The memo read in part, “Let me use this medium to express my gratitude for the enduring partnership between the legislative and the executive arms of government.

    “In particular, I note with appreciation the commitment and support that distinguished senators have continued to demonstrate with respect to the preparation, passage and implementation of the federal budget.

    “Pursuant to provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2007, the preparation towards the submission of the 2017 budget to the National Assembly is progressing well.

    “The MTEF and FSP which provides the framework for the development of the 2017 budget was designed against the backdrop of a generally advanced global economic environment as well as fiscal challenges in domestic economy.

    “In this regard the 2017-2019 MTEF and FSP articulates the Federal Government economic, socio and developmental objectives as well as the strategies for achieving this divine objectives and priorities.

    “I hereby forward the 2017-2019 MTEF and FSP to the distinguished Senate and trust that it will be kindly considered expeditiously and approved so as to move the 2017 Federal Budget process forward.”

  • Buhari names six INEC, five NPC commissioners

    Buhari names six INEC, five NPC commissioners

    President Muhammadu Buhari Thursday sent names of six proposed commissioners for the Independent National Electoral Commissioners (INEC) to the Senate for consideration and confirmation.

    The President also forwarded five names of proposed commissioners for the National Population Commission (NPC).

    In a letter read by Senate President, Abubakar Bukola saraki on the floor of the Senate Thursday, President Buhari said that he was forwarding the list of names in accordance with the provision of Section 154(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

    President Buhari said that the appointees were made from the six geo-political zones of the country.

    Those nominated included, Prof. Okechukwu Obinna Ibeanu  Anambra (member) (South East), May I. Agbamuche-Mbu (Delta) (member) South South, AVM Ahmed Tijani Mu’azu (rtd) (Gombe) member (North East), Mohammed Kudu Haruna (Niger) North Central (member), Dr.Adekunle Ladipo Ogunmola (Oyo) South West, (member) and Abubakar Ahmed Nahuche (Zamfara) North West (member).

    Those appointed to serve as commissioners of the NPC included Engr. Benedict Ukpong, (Akwa Ibom) member, Gloria Fataya Izonfuo (Bayelsa) member, Barrister Kupchi Patricia Ori Iyanya (Benue) member, Dr. Haliru Bala (Kebbi) member and Dr. Eyitayo O. Oyetunji (Oyo) member.

    President Buhari asked the Senate for early consideration and confirmation of the appointments.

    On September 27, 2016 the Senate adopted a motion which urged the President to quickly constitute commissioners of INEC in line with extant laws.

  • Recession: Senate oppose sale of national assets

    Recession: Senate oppose sale of national assets

    Senate Tuesday unanimously rejected recommendation seeking the sale of national assets as a means of raising funds to shore up foreign reserves to bail out the country from recession.

    Sale of national assets to reboot the economy was one of the suggestions of Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki during the debate of the state of the economy by the upper chamber.

    The recommendation to reject the sale of assets was contained in the report presented by a six- man ad- hoc committee set up by the Senate last week to harmonize contributions of senators during their general debate on the economic recession and possible way out.

    The Senate also urged President Muhammadu Buhari to as a matter of urgency, prepare an economic stimulus Bill containing all the fiscal stimulus packages, investments, and incentives designed to pull the country out of recession, and forward same to the National Assembly for accelerated consideration and passage.

    The committee in its recommendation opposing the sale of national assets declared that sale of asset “being a sensitive issue should be approached from a commitment to protecting the common patrimony of Nigerians by preventing the assets from falling into the hands of sharks, assets strippers and cannibalizes while also guarding against the fuelling of further inequities in the society and polity”

    Other recommendations of the committee also adopted by upper chamber included: “To urge the executive to ensure constant meeting of fiscal and monetary authorities for harmonization of all policies, particularly lower interest rates for genuine investors in the real sector as well as medium and small scale farmers and processors.”

    “That Government must engage in meaningful and inclusive dialogue with the aggrieved Niger Delta militants to avoid escalation of the unrest in the region and ensure protection of Nigeria’s oil and gas assets to facilitate increase in oil production and boost revenue there from.

    “That the President should as a matter of urgency, appoint a Senior Special Assistant who should lead a team that coordinates the government’s engagement with all stakeholders in the region, specifying that the team should include Senators from the Zone.

    “The President to reconstitute the Board of Central Bank (CBN) and all other critical agencies in order for them to operate in accordance with the enabling laws.”

    Government to solve the age long problem associated with saving for the rainy day by the federal government.

    The upper chamber adopted the recommendation seeking for the amendment of section 162 of the constitution to make it possible for the federal government to save money to that effect for the rainy day.

    The lawmakers resolved that the 22-point recommendations should be personally delivered to the President by the Senate President.

    The Senate also resolved to invite the Executive Secretary Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria to brief the Senate on some financial matters.

    After the adoption of the resolutions, Senate Chief Whip, Senator Olusola Adeyeye (Osun Central) emphasize that the adopted resolutions represented the corporate decision of the Senate as against individual submissions made by Senators during the general debate last week.

  • Breaking News: Dariye defects to APC

    Breaking News: Dariye defects to APC

    The Senator representing Plateau Central, Joshua Dariye, on Thursday announced his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) after the Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki read the letter of the Senator’s defection on the floor of the Senate.
    Dariye who moved from the PDP to the Labour Party and back to PDP and now APC said that his decision to leave the PDP was informed by the protracted division at the national level of PDP.
    His words: “After due consultation with my constituency, I write to notify you of my intention to cross over from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
    “My decision is informed by the protracted division at the national level of the PDP that led to the massive movement of my supporters to APC. Arising from this, I therefore write to formerly inform you of my decision to go along with my supporters. I thank you for your understanding”
    With the defection of Dariye, APC now has 59 senators, PDP has 43 senators while Labour Party has one.
    Elated Saraki commended Dariye for his action to leave the PDP.
  • Saraki seeks implementation of UN resolutions on environment 

    Saraki seeks implementation of UN resolutions on environment 

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, Thursday asked world leaders to develop necessary political will to implementation United Nations’ (UN) resolutions on environmental issues.

    A statement by the Special Assistant to Senate President on Print Media, Chuks Okocha said that Saraki made the call when a delegation of the Working Group on Environmental Audit of African Organisation of the Supreme Audit Institutions (AFROSAI WGEA) paid him a courtesy visit at the National Assembly, Abuja.

    Senate President, who was responding to the address by the leader of the delegation, acknowledged that some of the issues already highlighted remained to be implemented due to absence of appropriate political will by the leaders.

    Saraki said,  “I think some key points you made, some of the agreements you talk about that you have signed with some organisations, the point is how far have they have gone on implementation? Who is making sure that they are being implemented?

    “By the time we leave all those conferences as politicians, we shake hands with ourselves, we take pictures, the real issues are these commitments. Are they being met.

    “I think these are the areas we truly want to say that what you are doing will play a key role to ensure that some of these environmental policies and solutions that we put aside are addressed.”

    He added, “In Nigeria, we talk about deforestation, we talk about oil spillage, and it is clear that it is affecting the lives of our people all over. This shows the point we are and what we need to do.

    “I think we don’t need to wait every 10 years for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to do reports. Groups like this can keep us constantly on our toes and I appreciate the fact that the Auditor-General have also decided to identify ways, apart from your core mandate, of addressing the issue of environment.

    “So, I want to commend the efforts you are making and to assure you that we are going to cooperate to bring more successes to what you are doing.

    “We can do that as part of efforts to make your work easier and to bring more success to what you are doing. I think that it will go a long way in helping and making the environment much better.”

    The Senate President commended the relevance of AFROSAI on environmental issues and assured that the National Assembly would lend necessary support to the group.

    Leader of the delegation, Mrs. Mbah Acha Rose Fomundam, explained that AFROSAI – WGEA is mandated to contribute to the understanding by member institutions on specific issues linked to environmental auditing, facilitate the exchange of information and experiences among Supreme Audit Institutions, update and improve standards and tools for environmental audit, including dissemination of guidelines and other current materials on the environment.

    She noted that the theme of this year’s meeting hosted by Nigeria, is “Working together for a sustainable and healthy environment in Africa.”

    The theme, she said, calls on all to respect the environment, the common heritage without which no life is possible.

    She said, “Environmental sustainability has become a global challenge, synonymous to responsibility towards future generations. Through many initiatives, conferences and summits, world leaders came to the understanding that the natural resources of the earth are not unlimited.”

  • Recession: Senate to seek sack of incompetent ministers

    Recession: Senate to seek sack of incompetent ministers

    ….Wants teacher’s salaries transferred to capital vote

     

    The Senate will recommend immediate removal from office ministers and other presidential aides who fail to measure up in the Federal Government’s efforts to exit the country from economic recession, Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has said.

    Saraki also said that the upper chamber would invite on resumption next week, all those involved in the management of the economy to tell Nigerians what steps they were taking to rescue the economy from recession.

    Statement by the Special Adviser (Media and Publicity) to the Senate President, Yusuph Olaniyonu said that Saraki spoke during an interactive Town Hall meeting on Sunday tagged ‘#AskSaraki’, which was organized for constituents of his Kwara Central Senatorial district, as part of the activities to mark the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.

    Saraki was quoted to have said, “Those of us that you have elected into office are aware of the difficult economic situation in our country. We know we have to find a solution as fast as possible. We have no option. Once the Senate resumes, we will invite all those involved in the management of the economy to explain to the people what they are doing to solve the problem. Whoever among them does not measure up to expectation in his or her explanation we will recommend that he should be removed. This is time for co-operation and exchange of ideas.”

    It said that Saraki who gave account of his stewardship as both Senator representing Kwara Central District and the Chairman of the 8th National Assembly emphasized that a concerted legislative and policy thrust from both the National Assembly and the executive arms was needed to bring Nigeria out of recession.

    “As things stand, I understand your concerns and feel your pains about the economy. “I assure you that we will work together to bring about legislative and policy solutions to address the lingering economic situation,” Saraki was quoted to have said.

    It said that Saraki answered questions from citizens and community leaders representing various interests in the state, primarily about the economic recession, unemployment rates, and his legislative stewardship throughout the 8th Assembly, highlighting his advocacy and lawmaking activities which have brought about the passage of bills like the Public Procurement Act amendment, aimed at giving local producers and service providers first-option priority in government procurement process and the championing of the Made in Nigeria campaign.

    Saraki was also quoted to have said, “What we have done with your mandate at the National Assembly is to push for bills and initiatives that will put more money in your pockets.

    “With the amendment of the Public Procurement Act, more entrepreneurs from Kwara and across the country will be able to participate in the government’s procurement process, and the ‘Made in Nigeria’ campaign will boost the internally generated revenues of both our state and the Federal government.”

    The Senate President further insisted that a concerted approach of both the legislature and the executive is needed to combat the lingering economic crisis, while underscoring the importance of seeing obstacles like the recession as opportunities to focus inwards to achieve economic diversification and better fiscal management.

    He said, “I assure you, when the National Assembly resumes, we will all work together to achieve legislative and policy solutions to the lingering economic situation. We understand that no one branch of government can solve this crisis alone.”

    The Senate President explained that he understood the impact of the economic crisis in the lives of the people and that he would work with other people in government to find quick solution to the problem.

    While calling for patience and understanding from the people, he said the current situation calls for urgent and constant dialogue between the people in government and the electorate as nobody is happy with the current situation.

    He said, “I appreciate our people. I empathize with you and I am genuinely concerned and disturbed about what our people are going through. The situation is grim enough for you to ignore our invitation to this event. Let it be known that I will never take your support for granted. We will not disappoint you. The growth of the economy is my major pre-occupation and that of the Senate.”

    Saraki also advocated that teacher’s salaries should be made an item in the capital expenditure in the budget of states and Federal Governments to ensure its prompt payment to beneficiaries.

    The statement said that Saraki reiterated that he has always said that teacher’s salaries are one of the priorities that must not be neglected.

    It said that the Senate President explained that due to the importance of prompt payment of teacher’s salaries, governments at state and federal levels should consider making it a line item in the national and state budgets into capital expenditures.

    He noted that that will ensure that education is always a matter of greatest importance and teacher’s salaries are always promptly paid.

    It said that Saraki added that it is useless to put building of classrooms and provision of laboratory equipment in capital expenditure when the teachers who will teach students are not paid and therefore not happy.

     

  • Accountability key to North East development plan – Saraki

    Accountability key to North East development plan – Saraki

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, Friday said that accountability and oversight were necessary components in the country’s efforts to rebuild the insurgency-ravaged North East zone.

    A statement by the Special Adviser (Media) to the Senate President, Yusuph Olaniyonu, said that Saraki was responding to the conclusion of a four-day visit by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights, Dr. Chaloka Beyani to internally displaced persons (IDPs) camps.

    It said that Saraki indicated that he was encouraged to learn that the international community was beginning to pay more attention to the suffering in the North East.

    Oloniyonu quoted Saraki as saying, “We are hopeful about the increasing international attention being shown toward the North East. On our part, we need to make sure that our accountability mechanisms generate confidence in our ability to absorb and monitor the delivery of aid material and resources.”

    It said that the Senate President, who added that Nigeria was heading in the right direction in tackling the North East’s humanitarian crisis, however noted that “there are still many issues in the areas of accountability, such as sexual abuse, lack of protection and the provision of basic services that need to be addressed.”

    Saraki said “Gradually but surely, we are heading in the right direction. However, let us not take our foot off the gas pedal. We must make accountability an expectation in Nigeria’s humanitarian relief infrastructure. Accountability must be built into all aspects of the relief to rehabilitation effort to promote greater confidence in our capacity.”

    Saraki, the statement said, also emphasized the need to focus less on the sensational stories of corruption in the relief effort and instead focus on more transparent systems to root out corruption and profiteering.

    It said that Saraki assured that when the 8th Senate resumes sitting later in the month, the humanitarian crisis in the North East will be a high priority.

    “As Senate President, I am sure that I speak for many of my colleagues when I say that we are more than willing to work with any and all Nigerians and international stakeholders to restore development, dignity and hope to the people of the north east,” he stated.

  • Saraki mourns Balogun Fulani of Ilorin 

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, Tuesday expressed deep sadness over the passage of the Balogun Fulani of Ilorin, Alhaji Mahmud Durosinlohun Atiku at the age of 76.

    In a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, in Abuja, Saraki described the death of the elder statesman as a personal loss to him and a colossal loss to the Ilorin Emirate, the Government and people of Kwara State and the entire country.

    He stated that the contributions of the deceased to the development of Ilorin during his 15-year reign as Balogun in particular, and Kwara state in general cannot be quantified.

    Saraki stated: “Alhaji Mahmud Durosinlohun Atiku was a friend and father to me. He was a complete gentleman. He was always prepared to give up what is dear to him so long as such sacrificial gesture would contribute to the peaceful and harmonious coexistence of the people in his immediate domain and that of Kwara State.

    “He was an educationist par excellence who used his knowledge and wealth of experience to enrich the upcoming generation as a former Principal of the Government Technical College, Jebba.

    “His achievements marked him out for higher offices among which was his appointment as the Daudu of Afon town by the Emir of Ilorin – a position he held till he was elevated to the post of the Balogun Fulani of Ilorin 15 years ago.

    “On the political front, he was a progressive who ensured that peace reigned in the Emirate and beyond. As a committed peacemaker, he mediated and helped resolve several community disputes and clashes, among others.

    “I am indeed pained by his demise. I shall sorely miss his fatherly advice and counsel. I give glory to Allah for his glorious life. He was a constant source of inspiration to me. I cannot believe he has departed so soon,” he said.

    The Senate President commiserated with the immediate family of the late Balogun Fulani of Ilorin, the Government and people of Kwara State, the Emir of Ilorin and the Ilorin Emirate’s traditional council over the sad loss.

    He prayed Allah to grant the late Balogun Fulani of Ilorin Alijanah Fidaus, and his immediate family and loved once the grace to bear the irreparable loss.