The Nation Newspaper

Tag: agencies

  • Fed Govt finalises plan to merge aviation agencies

    Despite the controversy that greeted the proposed merger of three aviation agencies – the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) – into the Federal Civil Aviation Authority (FCAA), the Federal Government has concluded plans to implement the report of the Steve Oronsaye Committee, which proposed the merger.

    Investigation at the weekend revealed that the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), in a letter to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation, dated July 14, 2014, requested the affected agencies to send a progress report on or before Monday, July 21.

    Aviation unions and industry experts, in May, protested against the planned merger.

    They said the arrangement is against international regulations, which prescribe that aviation services provision should be separated from regulation.

    They argued that vesting services provision and regulation in one body could compromise air safety.

    The Federal Government, in May, accepted the recommendations of the Steve Oronsaye Committee.

    The committee said the enabling laws of the agencies be amended to accommodate the merger.

    The letter, by the Aviation Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mohammed Abubakar, to SGF Senator Anyim Pius Anyim and the ministry, said the submission of the report was to enable the government merge the agencies.

    The letter said upon the receipt of the committee’s report, the government directed each ministry to set up Ministerial Technical Committees (MTCs) for the implementation of the White Paper on the restructuring and rationalisation of Federal Government agencies, corporations and commissions.

    The letter adds: “As specified in the circular, each technical committee is to undertake the detailed day-to-day implementation of the decisions in the White Paper, as may be applicable to the agencies being supervised by your ministry/office. It is, therefore, expected that your technical committee has proceeded with the implementation of the decisions of the White Paper as they affect the agencies under your ministry.

    “Accordingly, I am to inform you that the Secretary to the Government if the Federation/Chairman of the implementation committee of the White Paper on restructuring and rationalisation of Federal Government agencies, corporations and commissions has directed that each ministerial technical committees should submit a progress report on its assignment to the undersigned on or before Monday, July 21, 2014…”

  • Agencies indict Agip for toxic waste dump

    Agencies indict Agip for toxic waste dump

    The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) have indicted the Nigeria Agip Oil Company over alleged toxic waste dumped in some communities in Delta State on June 10, last year.

    The toxic waste was allegedly dumped in Ndokwa East Local Government Area by a waste management company, Allman Global Services, which was under Agip’s employment.

    The DPR, in its submission presented to the Uche Ekwunife-led House of Representatives’ Committee on Environment yesterday by a Deputy Director, A.A  Balogun, , recommended that Agip should “clean up and remediate the impacted sites accordingly and with immediate effect”.

    The resumed investigative hearing was on the alleged dumping of 469 tonnes of toxic waste by Agip on Agbor Road in Ndokwa East Local Government Area.

    DPR also said Agip should forward to it the details of the contractor to enable it take appropriate sanctions, including charging the contractor to court.

    NOSDRA said the allegation of waste dumping has been confirmed.

    “There were conspicuous signs of indiscriminate dumping of materials suspected to be drilling wastes in various locations at Obikwele, Umueleke- Ossissa, Ola- Ossissa, Isheagu and Oloh- Ogwashi in Delta State,” DPR said.

    It added: “The DPR views the above pieces of circumstantial evidence as strong enough to make Agip and Allman Global Services liable for the dumped wastes.

    “The firms have violated DPR regulations. Consequently, the DPR is considering appropriate sanctions to impose on Agip and Allman Global Services Limited.”

    NAOC’s lawyer Chidozie Okafor said: “Investigations are still on to assess the activities of other companies in the area.

    “My company cannot be accused of dumping the toxic waste as there are five other oil companies in the region.”

    But NOSDRA’s representative Musa Idris said evidence showed that Agip was responsible for the dumping.

    Mrs. Ekwunife said the committee would go back with its submissions to the House, adding: “It is clear, clean and open that we have enough evidence to conclude this investigation.”

    According to her, the Delta State Commissioner for Environment, NOSDRA, DPR, and the communities have all made submissions and that the committee’s recommendations would be on the presentations.

    She said the people are suffering because of exposure to the toxic waste.

  • Hotels to submit guests’ list to security agencies

    In his determination to ensure that life and property are better secured in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the Minister of the FCT, Senator Bala Mohammed has directed all hotels in the Capital City to forward the list of their guests to the FCT Directorate of State Security Services (SSS) and the FCT Police Command on a daily basis.

    The hotels are equally required to install their individual security cameras within their vicinity and ensure thorough check of all vehicles entering the hotels and within their surroundings.

    According to a statement issued by Special Assistant (Media) to the Minister of FCT, Nosike Ogbuenyi, the minister also directed all residents and associations in various parts of the territory to embark on “operation-know-your-neighbour” campaign. The measure is to ensure that all criminally-minded elements are detected easily within the FCT.

    The security department of the FCTA is to liaise with the various security agencies in the FCT on modalities for implementing the ministerial directive.

    The minister directed all traditional rulers in the FCT to, as a matter of necessity, start conducting periodic meetings with various communities within their domains to take stock of strange faces living with them, as well as report all new comers within 48 hours to the local Divisional Police Officer (DPO) and State Security Service (SSS) office. This is in furtherance of “operation-know-your-neighbour” campaign.

    He enjoined all residents to be vigilant and cautious of strange objects or movements of persons and vehicles around them, as well as stationary vehicles. They should report same to the nearest security agencies.

    The minister further directed that all trailers/lorry operators bringing goods to the city shall no longer be allowed to offload their contents at night.

  • Jonathan appoints heads for 42 Fed Govt agencies

    •Tokunbo Kayode, Ray Ekpu, Kanayo O.Kanayo make list

    President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday approved the appointment of chairmen and members of the Governing Boards of 42 Federal Government corporations and agencies.

    A statement by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, said membership of each governing board shall include all the statutory ex-officio members in accordance with enabling laws of the corporations and agencies.

    According to him, the dates for their inauguration would be announced by the supervising authorities and ministers.

    The chairmen and non ex-officio members as announced yesterday were:

    Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology – Chairman: Prince Olusola Akanmode,while members are Idonibin Obagama, Garba Dahiru, Mahmud A. Gurumpawo, Mohammed Bello Abdulkadir (Salankan Zazzau).

    National Mathematical Centre – Chairman: Abubakar H. Girei, while members are Prof. G.A Badmus, Stephen Ahaneku, Zilkifilu Abdu.

    Universal Basic Education Commission – Chairman: A. J. Turner, while members are Mohammed Bello, Chuma Nnaji, Hauwa Musa Kida, Abubakar L. Audu, Tarfa Atu, Kunle Yusuf, Nnalue Kingsley Chizobam, Sharon Oviemuno, and Mathias Ekweremadu.

    National Commission for Colleges of Education – Chairman: Chukwuemeka Ezife, while members are Mrs. Margaret Zidon, Mohammed Dantsoho and Mrs. Ngozi Nnadozie.

    National Institute for Education Planning and Administration – Chairman:Bolaji Anani, while members include Jamila Baba Buhari and Nma Mowete.

    National Institute for Fresh Water Fisheries Research – Chairman: Arma Abubakar, while members are Francis Ayodele Akinkiawe, George Moghalu, Bimbola Yusuf and Oche Ekoza Elias.

    Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria -Chairman: Sulieman Galadima, while members include Umoru Barau Ningi, Bennette E. Ughamadu, Oluomo Yinka Adeojo and Uche Igbokwe.

    Nigerian Institute of Oceanography and Marine Research – Chaiman: Bello Gusau, while members include Ahame Adamu Bawa, Mrs. Aduke Waziri, T. Dawari Horsefall, Felix Mgbada and Abdullahi  Ohiomah.

    National Cereals Research Institute – Chairman: Igwe Ginger Ibeneme, while members are Adeboro Onibalusi, Mrs. Margaret John Zamdai, Mrs Toru Ofili and Otuu Irukwu.

    National Eye Centre – Chairman: Prof. C.I.P. Anibeze, while members include Chimezie D. Ugochukwu, Femi Babalola, Abdulrahman Abdullahi Wase and Nma Nwokeocha.

    National Root Crops Research Institute – Chairman: Oluwole Oludaisi Aina, while members include Steve Nwachukwu, Folake Olunloyo Osinowo, Mrs. Hannatu Ullam, Ahmed Sani Kaura and Shola Ogbemi-Daibo.

    National Horticultural Research Institute – Chairman: Juliet Wayoka, while members include Chael Kusah, Bello Abdullahi, Ituma Valentine Emeka and Abdulmumuni Vaki.

    National Inland Waterways Authority – Chairman: Bashir Dalhatu, while Mike Onah is a member of the board.

    National Animal Production Research Institute – Chairman: Emeka Otozi, while members are Robinson Ejifoma, Mrs Felicia Diejemao, Saidu Ahmed Jere, Anicho Sunday Okoro and Babagana Zanna.

    Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority – Chairman: Cairo Ojougbo, while members include Emmanuel Ekuwem and Husaini Jalo.

    National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism Studies – Chairman: Kanayo O. Kanayo. No members yet.

    National Institute for Nigerian Languages – Chairman: Tosin Awolalu, while members are Prof. S.O. Igwe, Kabiru Ladan Barwa, Venesa Tobechukwu Kemakolam, Francis Ozoemena and Nana Aisha Abdulqadiri.                      National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education – Chairman: Mrs. Esther Uduehi, while members are Prof Dakum Shown, Abiola Makinde, Tanko Kokwai, Alonge-Niyi Dennis and Geofrey Okpe.

    Nigerian Film Corporation – Chairman: Bongos Ikwue, while members are Sani Danja, Wada Musa, and Bright Chinedu Nnebedum.               Nigeria Building & Road Research Institute – Chairman: Dele Okeya, while members include John Alkali, Adamu Waziri, Austin O. Ene and Gunju Ojo.

    National Orientation Agency – Chairman: Edoh Obi. No member listed.

    Sheda Science and Technology Complex -Chairman: Nuhu Aliyu, while members are Eka Williams, Uchenna Daniel Oko, Tanko Ayuba, Garba Taura, Audu Bababyo, Solomon Adama Yisa, Bob Nege, Bola Jafojo-Adedeji and Prof Iwe Maduebibisi.

    National Commission for Nomadic Education – Chairman: Mohammed Sallah Shettima, while members include Abba Kura Jibrin, Yusuf Sulieman Jibiya, Zainab A. Gidado, Adeolu Aluko,     John Uhana, Nkem Obiako, P. Oristse Nanna and Yamkyeh Ebibu.

    Nigerian French Language Village – Chairman: Emmanuel Edohoeket, while members are Abbas Tijanni Hasshim, Mrs Rebecca Ogundare, and Sally Ogbogu.

    Centre for Black & Africian Arts and Culture – Chairman: Gen. Brimmo Yusuf, while members include Ray Ekpu, Paul Godfrey, Mary Ogbonnaia, Folorunsho Taiwo, Rhoda Fiberesima, Patrick Aiden Anuda, Oyedokun S. Oladepo and Frank Ikpeze.

    Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre – Chairman: Tokunbo Kayode, while members include Richard Lamai, Kunle Sulieman, Ibrahim Mohammed Gada, Abah Lewis and John Kalu.

    National Productivity Centre -Chairman: Innocent Nyingirefaka, while members include representatives of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC).

    National Oil Spill & Detection Response Agency – Chairman: Lancelot Anyanya. No member listed.

    National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency – Chairman: Ishiaku Huzi Mshelia, while members are Hajara Amadu, Lynn Nathan and Vitalis Okafor

    Project Development Institute – Chairmaan: Emmanuel Mbaka, while members are Phillip Ehigie, Dr. Okey Nnadozie, Udemba Chukwudolee and Bukar Zarma.

    Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission – Chairman: Ibrahim Bio, while members are Dauda Sulieman, Aliyu Datti Esq, Idris Abdullahi, Setonji Koshedo, Eboh Ihekwereme and Geraldine Oku.

    Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation – Chairman: Adamu Atta, while members include Miriam Onuoha and Sunday Olufemi Oroniyi.

    National Business and Technical Examination Board -Chairman: Garba Nadama while members are Ralph Nwike and Adewole Oludare Adewunmi.

    Nigerian Council for Management Development – Chairman: Emma Aguarivwodo. Members include Adeyemi S. Obakin, Amanuna Afragana, Anochie Haffner, Obong Emmanuel J. Akpan and Joseph Ahile.               Lake Chad Research Institute – Chairman: Yakubu Tsala, while members include Pastor Nonie Robinson, Prince Hope R. Lawson, Hajiya  Amina Takwai and Alhaji Abba Ahmed.

    Federal Road Safety Commission – Chairman: Felix Chukwu, while members are Jackie Umoru, Alhaji Ahmadu Inuwa Gambo, Mrs Maryam Gwaram, Mallam Aminu Bello, Senator Dahiru Bako Gassol, Emmanuel Egwu and Yinka Taiwo.

    Nursing & Midwifery Council of Nigeria – Chairman: Mrs. Abisola Clark, while members include Mrs. Bridget Torbua and Asmau Saad Usman.

    Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation – Chairman: Mrs. Chioma Ohakim, while members are Grace Eni Nsot, Igwe B.N. Eze and Lawrence Onoja.

    Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria – Chairman: Prof. Francis Fadahunsi, while members include Dadawei Terilayefa Ebimo, Hadjia Meiro Momoh, Mike Inalegwu, Mrs. Ugo Ukpai and Hadiza D. Mohammed.             News Agency of Nigeria – Chairman: Ibrahim Buba, while members include Tony Prest, Dr. Atah Pine, Ifeanyi Ossai and Tons Fetepigi.

    Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute (ARMTI) – Chairman: Goodluck Opia, while members include E. N. Mordi, Maigida Stephen, Muhammad Sallah Shettima, James Katagba and Haruna Dabin.

    National Information Technology Development Agency – Chairman: Tosin Ajayi , while members are Musa Bello, Saidu Gwadabe, Ben Bako, Wilson Chinedu Agu, Harami B. Balami, Segun Ilorin, Sa’adatu Ayitogo and Emmanuel Ighomena.

  • Fed Govt to close revenue agencies’ bank accounts

    Fed Govt to close revenue agencies’ bank accounts

    Beginning from next Monday, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation will close the accounts of agencies, which have withheld the revenue that should have accrued to the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

    The Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, stated this yesterday in a statement circulated to media houses.

    She said: “Starting Monday, June 17, 2013, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, in exercise of its powers under the extant laws and rules, will close the accounts of agencies involved in this practice in all banks.”

    The minister explained that “this process of systematic closure will continue until all monies that should be in the Consolidated Revenue Fund are retrieved”.

    She said it has come to the attention of her ministry “that some Federal Government agencies that generate independent revenue, in collusion with some banks, have refused to remit monies to the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) of the Federal Government which they are obliged t do by law”.

    The Ministry of Finance, she said, has identified about N58 billion of such monies, which rightfully belongs in the CFR.

    Dr Okonjo-Iweala added that “the objective of this conspiracy against the national interest is clear: to keep government monies indefinitely in accounts earning interest for individuals at the expense of the Federal Government and the Nigerian people”.

    This practice, the minister stressed, “is totally unacceptable and the Federal Ministry of Finance is determined that this practice must end forthwith”.

    According to her, this unwholesome practice “has persisted, despite the efforts of the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) to encourage the agencies and the affected banks to do the right thing”.

    “Rather than comply, the agencies and banks, through their lawyers, have engaged in all manner of legal subterfuges to ensure that monies which are due to the Federal Government are not remitted,” she added.

  • 220 federal parastatals may be scrapped

    220 Federal Government’s parastatals, agencies and commissions may be scrapped in the on-going restructuring and rationalization exercise of the government.
    Briefing State House correspondents at the end of Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Wednesday,  Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati said that the White Paper Drafting Committee have accepted 321 out of the 541 Federal parastatals, commissions and agencies recommended by the Presidential Committee on the Rationalisation and  Restructuring  led by ex-Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Steven Oronsaye.
    But he noted that the final decision on the recommendations of the two committees would soon be taken by the Federal Executive Council.
    He also assured that the on-going exercise is not meant to witch-hunt but to boost efficiency, reduce cost of governance towards delivering quality service to Nigerians.
    “There is no cause for any anxiety. The Oronsaye Committee considered suggestions, recommendations from different quarters and in total, that committee looked at 541 federal parastatals, commissions and agencies. The white paper drafting committee out of that accepted 321, noted some recommendations, rejected some.“At the end of the day, the FEC will take final decision on this recommendation and when that is done, the white paper will be made public. I don’t think we should jump the gun, the thing to note is that all of this is being done to ensure efficiency, to reduce the cost of government, to avoid leakages and wastage and to make government far more effective in delivering quality service to Nigerians.

    “This is not targeted at pushing anybody out of work, this is not an exercise in making life difficult for anybody. This is just government restructuring for better level of efficiency. People should not be unduly anxious,” Abati stated.

  • Character Commission to sanction erring govt agencies

    The Chairman of the Federal Character Commission, Prof. Shuaibu Oba AbdulRahaman, has said erring government agencies that violate the commission’s directives on the submission of workers’ nominal rolls would be sanctioned.

    Prof AbdulRahman spoke at a two-day sensitisation workshop for ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) on the submission of nominal rolls in Abuja.

    The commission chief explained that the MDAs need to ensure that information sent out is not only accurate but also complies with the guidelines provided by the commission.

    He said: “Let me warn that henceforth the commission will not hesitate to sanction any agency of government which is found violating the commission’s directives on the submission of staff nominal rolls required by law.

    “This workshop is to charge MDAs with the responsibility of collation and submission of staff nominal rolls to the commission. By law, all MDAs are required to remit returns of staff nominal rolls annually and periodically for the purpose of monitoring compliance with the commission’s guidelines on principles.

    “The commission recently integrated its website with a robust and dynamic portal to facilitate real time, online data collection for the processing of manpower statistics.”

     

  • Agencies rescue 25 pupils from drowning in Lagos

    Agencies rescue 25 pupils from drowning in Lagos

    Over 25 pupils were yesterday saved from being swept away by flood by officials of the Lagos State Emergency Response Agency (LASEMA), theNational Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS).

    The pupils of Ogba Primary School were playing in the rain on their way home after school when the incident ocurred.

    A LASEMA official said some of the pupils were injured.

    He said: “We were called that there was a situation around Ogba Prayer School and that over 25 children were drowning.

    “They said the head teacher asked them to go home while it was still raining and instead of running home, the children were playing in the flood.

    “When we got the information, we quickly alerted LASAMBUS and got there on time to save the situation.

    “Officials of NEMA also joined hands with us to ensure that the situation did not get out of control.”

    NEMA’s Southwest spokesman Ibrahim Farinloye said: “We were called while we were going round the state to check the flood situation and ensure that the people were safe.

    “The pupils were trapped in the flood. I appeal to schools not to send children home when it is raining, even if it is closing hour.

    “To ensure their safety, schools can hold back their pupils till 5pm on a rainy day.”

     

  • Ekweremadu bemoans weak regulatory agencies

    The Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, yesterday criticised regula-tory and enforcement agencies in the country for performing below expecta-tions.

    Ekweremadu, who spoke during a courtesy visit to the Director General (DG) of National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC), Mr. Peter Igho, accused government of appointments of leaders of government agencies and parastatals.

    He said: “There are so many sectors in Nigeria with potentials which if you put the right people there, they will make a difference.

    “We need more of regulatory and enforcement agencies in order to get our people do the right thing.

    Ekweremadu said despite the media background of the DG, Igho brought significant development to the lottery sector, created employment and generated revenue for the government.

    According to him, the commission was able to sanitise the society through lottery and re-orientate the public on the misconception of lottery as gambling.

    He called for more enlightenment on the operations of the commission.

    Igho said since his assumption, the commission has saved over N3billion with additional over N20 billion won by beneficiaries.

    He added that staff strength also grew from 11 to over 1, 000.

     

  • Concerns over appointments in agencies

    Concerns over appointments in agencies

    FORMER general manager Administration, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr Bitrus Ogba, has spoken in support of Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Oduah’s appointments into some agencies.

    He said contrary to insinuations, she was not engaged in ethnic cleansing.

    He said it was unfair for professionals to allege that people of certain ethnic groups were marginalised in recent appointments, adding that the minister has been more considerate in upholding the principles of fairness and geo-political spread as opposed to appointments done by some of her predecessors in office.

    Ogba spoke against the background of last week’s public hearing organised by the National Assembly to investigate allegations of lopsidedness in appointments into aviation agencies without recourse to the principle of federal character.

    Ogba said: “When the people of the southwest allege that they were marginalised by the appointment of the Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, I get amused. And when I hear that the appointments she made were dominated by people from the southeast, I get bewildered.

    “If you check it, you will discover that Oduah’s appointments were the most balanced in the industry since 1999 because it gave full representation to every part of the country. But I know why the southwest is surprisingly crying marginalisation. In the past they used to dominate every appointment made in the industry. And even now, if you get the list of all the workers in all the aviation parastatals, you will find out that they have the highest number of appointments.

    The President of Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), Comrade Benjamin Okewu, said last week the unions would continue to insist that appointments to aviation agencies should refelect the principles of federal character to checkmate lopsidedness.

    Last year, the National Uinon of Air Transport Employees(NUATE), through, Comrade Adbulkareem Motajo, kicked over the appointment of some general managers into the FAAN, saying their appointment fell short of the stipulated requirements into public service.

    But, the Media Assistant to Oduah, Mr Joe Obi, said the minister approved appointments to enable government to have the right persons to actualise the government’s transformation agenda.