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Tag: commission

  • Drama as Senate confirms Okiro chairman of police commission

    Drama as Senate confirms Okiro chairman of police commission

    There was drama in the Senate yesterday as the upper chamber confirmed former Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mike Okiro, as Chairman, Police Service Commission.

    The lawmakers rejected the nomination of former Action Aide boss, Dr. Otive Igbuzor, despite effort by Senator Babafemi Ojudu to ensure that Igbuzor was confirmed.

    Chairman, Senate Committee on Police Affairs, Senator Paulinus Igwe, presented the report of the screening of those nominated by President Goodluck Jonathan to serve in the commission.

    They included, Mr. Mike Okiro, Chairman, Mr. Yakubu Mohammed (DIG rtd,) (Katsina State) to represent Northwest, Hon. Justice Olufunke Adekeye (rtd) (Ogun State) to represent Southwest, Aisha Larai Tukur (Taraba State) to represent Northeast, Mrs. Comfort Obi (Imo State) to represent Southeast, Chief Torngee Gem Toranyiin (Benue State) to represent Northcentral) and Dr. Otive Igbuzor (Delta State) to represent Southsouth zone.

    Although some senators applauded the report, Senate President David Mark wondered why there was no representation for the youth among the nominees.

    Mark noted that the Act of the commission specified that the youth should be represented in the commission.

    Senator Ayogu Eze said Igbuzor, who was to serve his second term in the commission, represented the youth when he was first nominated in the Sixth Senate.

    Mark also wanted to know what new thing Okiro, whom the screening committee rated high, would do that he did not do when he was Inspector- General of Police.

    He wanted to know how Okiro would improve the police force as the committee claimed in its report.

    Igwe said the committee believed that Okiro’s position as a former IGP has equipped him to serve better as Chairman of the commission.

    Senator Zainab Kure observed that the dates some of the nominees obtained their qualifications were not captured in the report.

    Senate Leader Victor Ndoma-Egba said Toranyiin was referred to as a doctor in the report when there was nothing in the report to show that he is actually a doctor.

    Igwe said Toranyiin is not a PhD holder, the title was only an award to him.

    Senator Awuse Kuta wondered whether the practice of asking senators from states where nominations were made for their input had been jettisoned.

    Senator Ahmed Lawan reiterated the need for the youth to be represented in the commission.

    He noted that although the Peoples Democratic Party has a youth leader, who is 58 years old, the youth should have their representation in the commission.

    Mark, however, cut the Yobe State lawmaker short by reminding him that the PDP youth leader is an internal affair of the party and should be left to the party.

    On the Northcentral’s nominee, Mark explained that the letter from President Jonathan did not refer to him as a doctor.

    He wondered where Igwe and his committee got the title.

    Mark proceeded to call the nominee one by one for confirmation.

    Okiro was unanimously confirmed by the Senate.

    When the name of Igbuzor was called, the opposition for his nomination was overwhelming.

    Again, Mark put the question for Igbuzor’s confirmation, the lawmakers rejected his nomination. For the third time, Mark put the question and Igbuzor was rejected.

    Ojudu fought hard to ensure the confirmation of Igbuzor by calling for a division through a point of Order.

    He said: “If we are serious about having a Police Force of our dream, we should not reject Igbuzor because he is a man of integrity.”

    The Ekiti State-born lawmaker reminded the Senate that Igbuzor as a member of the civil society is qualified to serve in the commission.

    But Mark ruled him out of order on the basis that his Point of Order was belated.

     

  • Rights Commission plans independent probe of Baga killings

    The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has said it will probe the recent killings in Baga community of Borno State.

    The commission said the probe would ascertain the actual casualty figures, those involved in the violence and its cause.

    In a statement yesterday in Abuja by its Chairman Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, the NHRC expressed concerns about the unending violence in the Northeast and the failure of relevant government agencies to provide reliable information on the state of affairs.

    The commission said it was relying on the NHRC Act, which empowers it to conduct such probes and make appropriate recommendations to the President and the National Assembly.

    It sought the assistance of all levels of governments, relevant agencies and individuals on the matter.

    The statement reads: “While the exact identities of the parties involved, what triggered this incident, the specifications of ordinance that may have been deployed and the number of casualties remain unclear, it seems that an incident of humanitarian and human rights significance occurred, resulting in fatalities.

    “To understand what happened, it is necessary to undertake an independent and credible assessment of the situation in the affected locations.

    “As an independent and statutory national institution for the protection of human rights, the NHRC has a responsibility to undertake this assessment. For this purpose, we are undertaking separate consultations with relevant agencies as well as people from the affected communities.

    “An assessment will also involve a visit to the affected communities. The commission also proposes to monitor and undertake an assessment of the wider humanitarian situation in the Northeast of Nigeria.

    “Sections 5 (b)-(e) and 6(1) of the amended NHRC Act requires the Commission in such situations, to undertake investigations, assessments or studies and address recommendations to the President, the National Assembly or any other institution on what may be done.”

    “If an assessment discloses human rights crimes, the NHRC Act also empowers the Commission to make appropriate recommendations for accountability. The Act also gives the Commission full powers of a commission of inquiry, if necessary. As an independent institution, the NHRC must act with fairness, rigour and professionalism and we are committed to doing so.

    “For their parts, the NHRC fully requests the agencies of government at all levels, federal, state, and local government as well as elected representatives of the affected communities to afford it full co-operation and assistance in the conduct of this important work.

    “We will also appeal to the affected communities to extend similar co-operation to the Commission. Any persons who may have any information that can assist the Commission in forming a view of what may have transpired can avail it of such information through its Executive Secretariat, 19 Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja.

    “The commission is maintaining full consultation with relevant international and regional institutions and Mandates and will keep all apprised of our progress and findings.

    “In the interim, the NHRC transmits sincere condolences to the communities, families and persons affected or bereaved by violence in different parts of Nigeria,” NHRC said.

  • NYSC: National Youth Slavery Commission?

    NYSC: National Youth Slavery Commission?

    The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme was created in a bid to reconstruct, reconcile and rebuild the country after the Nigerian Civil war. It was established by decree No.24 of May 22, 1973 which stated that the NYSC is being established “with a view to the proper encouragement and development of common ties among the youths of Nigeria and the promotion of national unity”. The purpose of the scheme was to inculcate in Nigerian youths the spirit of selfless service to the community, and to emphasize the spirit of oneness and brotherhood of all Nigerians, irrespective of cultural or social background.

    In the months of March, July and November, Nigerian graduates are mobilized and sent to any of the 36 states and the federal capital territory to obey the clarion call of lifting their nation high under the sun or in the rain with dedication and selflessness. Then the suffering either begins or continues.

    There is usually a mad crowd at the point of collection of call-up letters in the various institutions. The queue at this point sometimes turns out to be the shortest in the whole of the service year. At the entrance of the 21 day incarceration camp called NYSC orientation camp, prospective corps members, as they are called, queue to be searched and before going in to begin their term and from then it becomes ‘Every man for himself, God for us all whoever is slow let the soldier take’. Depending on the local arrangements made by individual states, prospective corps members are registered, accommodated and kitted. At 4p.m the first parade is held, 7p.m dinner is served and 10p.m lights out.

    At 4:30a.m the soldier’s bugle is blown and the sound it makes is interpreted to mean it is you that finished schooling so you brought this yourself. At least if you didn’t graduate, you wouldn’t have to serve! Devotion, parade and drills are followed by a poor breakfast; long and boring lectures followed by a poorer lunch and by the time its dinner the poorest of meals is expected. However, miracles sometimes happen. The camp clinic usually receives a number of visitors in the first few days because of the ‘new food’ and paramilitary exercise but in no time the body acclimatizes and life goes on smooth and steady. The orientation programme gets more interesting as the days go by and when it is getting to the peak, the 21 day term comes to a rude end. Letters are handed out once again, but this time around it is either a posting letter or redeployment letter and fresh bouts of sobs begin for some people.

    Posting ought to be done based on the discipline of the corps member but preference is usually given to corps members who distinguished themselves during the orientation course, personal favourites of resident NYSC officials, and soldiers alike and those who arranged their posting with corporate bodies beforehand. Every posting letter has the name and address of the corps member’s place of primary assignment. It also carries a short note appealing to the prospective employer to offer necessary help to the bearer among other things. Some employers however ignore this note because they see corps members as national slaves and therefore sap them of all they can with little or no incentive; once again the tune of the soldier’s bugle comes to mind.

    To correct some of the abnormalities that characterise the ‘posting exercise’ as expressed above, a new posting policy was proposed. The policy is said to be aimed at making the scheme more responsive to the development needs of the country and this new posting policy seeks to post corps members only to four key sectors of the economy namely; agriculture, education, rural health, and infrastructure. As always, (a common Nigerian factor) the government did not prepare adequately for this causing the rejection of many corps members in these sectors across the country because they do not have enough to bear the burden of paying corps members’ stipends. Now, more corps members are roaming aimlessly about the streets looking for a place of primary assignment if only just to get their clearance form monthly but to no avail.

    Gone are the days when Corpers Beatitudes read thus: Blessed are you when you are posted to a bank for your account will be fat; Blessed are you when you are posted to a school for you’ll have students at your beck and call; Blessed are you when you are posted to a village for foodstuff will never be your problem; Blessed are you when you are posted according to your discipline for you have hopes of being retained.

    Now the closest it can be is: Happy are you when you are accepted in the village health post for many others were rejected; Happy are you when your school goes on break for you can run home to refill; Happy are you when wake up early to report on the farm, at least you have somewhere to go to; Happy are you when you maintain your country’s roads, bridges and buildings for many prayers would be offered for you.

    Even the service year that was once a year of learning on the job and knowing other parts of the country among other things is now a year of slavery and undue suffering. The National Youth Service Corps should not be scrapped but it should at least be transformed from a slavery commission which it has grown to become one that fulfils the basic aspiration of the nation’s youths.

    • Ms Omotayo, an ex-Corps member, writes from Ibadan

  • Security agencies, British High Commission probe Ansaru claim

    Security agencies and the British High Commission are probing claims by the Islamic sect, Ansaru, that it had killed the seven foreign workers of Setraco it seized in Bauchi State last month.

    The sect posted notice of the killing on its web site late on Friday.

    Security agencies and the British High Commission swung into action soon after the news broke to establish the veracity of the sect’s claim.

    They are keen to establish where and when the hostages were killed.

    They also have a mandate to retrieve the bodies, if true, for forensic examinations.

    Those purportedly killed were three Lebanese and one each from Britain, Greece, Italy and the Philippines.

    They were all employees of SETRACO, a Lebanese construction company.

    According to findings by our correspondent, security agencies and the affected embassies had been working round the clock to establish the veracity or otherwise of the claim of Ansaru.

    A reliable source, who spoke in confidence, said: “We have been working with other international security agencies to verify the claim of Ansaru on the alleged killing of the seven hostages.

    “The sect members knew that security agencies were actually closing in on them. If they killed these hostages, it might just be pre-emptive.

    “All along, they had been running a make-shift life with the hostages. This investigation will enable us to know if the hostages had been killed, where and how.

    “There is also plan to recover the corpses of these innocent hostages for forensic examinations. With the examinations, it will still be possible to trail those who did it.”

    Another source said: “We are working in concert with foreign missions to know the truth or otherwise of the killing of the hostages.

    “We are deploying necessary technology in this assignment. Within the next 24 hours, we would able to confirm.”

    Spokesman for the British High Commission, Hooman Nouruzi, said: “We are aware of the reports being filed online, we have not been able to confirm. But the only thing I tell you is that we are investigating and it after this exercise that we can making information available. This is how far we can go now.”

  • CIPM to commission office

    The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM) has said its new office complex due to be commissioned next week is a sign of growing capacity.

    In a statement, the building project’s publicity sub-committee chairman, Venerable Olawole Omotuyi, said “the new office complex, to be called Millennium Building, will accommodate the expanded activities and operations of the institute and would also be open to use by interested players in corporate Nigeria and the general public.”

    The five-floor complex, according to him, boasts of a modern e-library, training and workshop room, and conference rooms to accommodate the institute’s mission of regulating the practice of human resource management in Nigeria, as well as promotion of excellence in the acquisition and application of knowledge and skills of HR Practitioners.

    He said the institute’s present office complex has become extremely limited in space for its operations, adding that “as the scope of the institute expands, there is increasing pressure on our current office facility, prompting us to initiate the process of developing a modern office complex large enough to accommodate all the institute’s activities.

    “We are thrilled to begin the process of moving into a new, creative, modern and contemporary home for our staff, members and other stakeholder which is part of our desire to rebuild the institute to what is obtainable internationally”.

    Expected at the commissioning of the event on Thursday March 14, 2013 are: the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Mr. Emeka Wogu, Head of Service of the Federation, Alhaji Aminu Bello Sali, Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulure, and past presidents of CIPM.

  • British High Commission denies Commonwealth boxing champion visa to defend title

    British High Commission denies Commonwealth boxing champion visa to defend title

    A Nigerian boxer’s dream of defending his title in Liverpool, United Kingdom, is threatened by the British High Commission’s refusal to grant him and his trainer entry visas, reports OLUKOREDE YISHAU

    IF nothing happens between now and March 8, Kareem Yakubu Olaitan’s dream of defending his Commonwealth Super-flyweight boxing title will not be realised. Reason: the British High Commission has refused him and his trainer, Isiaka Olatunji, visas to enter the United Kingdom. This is despite the fact that their applications were supported with letters from the promoter of the bout, Frank Warren Promotions, the Nigerian Boxing Board of Control and the Chairman of the Commonwealth Boxing Council, Phillip Brook Smith.

    The letter from Warren Frank Promotion shows that Olaitan is to defend his Commonwealth Super-flyweight title against Paul Butler at the Liverpool Olympia, Liverpool, UK on March 8. It also shows that the promoter will foot the bills for food, accommodation and round trip airfares for the team.

    The letter reads: “Frank Warren Promotions will meet all of the food and accommodation expenses for the duration of their team’s time in the UK as well as the round trip airfares. They will depart Lagos, Nigeria on Monday, 4th March, 2013 and return from the United Kingdom on Sunday, 9th March ,2013.

    “During their stay in the United Kingdom, they will be residing at Liverpool City Centre, Vernon Street, Liverpool, 122AY.”

    Smith, in a document supporting Olaitan’s application, pleaded with the High Commission to issue the visa.

    He said: “I confirm that the above mentioned Mr. Olaitan is the current Commonwealth Super flyweight champion under his ring name of Yaqub Kareem. He has contracted with licensed British Boxing Board of Control promoter Frank Warren to defend his title at the Olympia Stadium, Liverpool of Friday, 8th March, 2013 against current British Super-flyweight Champion Paul Better.

    “In order to fulfil this contractual obligation, it will be necessary for a UK entry visa to be granted to Mr. Olaitan and to his Trainer/Second Mr. Olatunji.

    “I confirm that Mr. Warren is a licensed promoter of over 30 years standing who has promoted some of the major Championship contests in British during this time, including those featuring well-known boxers, such as Lennox Lewis, Mike Tyson, George Foreman, Nigel Benn, Maseem Hamed, Richard Hatton and very many others.

    “The hotel, transport, food, training and accommodation requirements of both named gentlemen will be taken care of by Mr. Warren’s organisation, which will also be responsible for returning both to the airport after the contest date.

    “On behalf of the CBC, l kindly request that you deal with both visa applications as expeditiously as possible in order that Mr. Olaitan (and his Trainer/Second) can arrive in the UK with sufficient time to refresh and prepare himself to enable him to take part in this contest, which will be broadcast live on the subscription TV channel Box Nation.”

    But the High Commission was not convinced by the recommendations made for Olaitan by the Commonwealth Boxing Council, Frank Warren Promotions and others. It said it was not convinced the boxer had enough ties with Nigeria that would compel him to return after the fight. It said the boxer, despite the fact that he was being sponsored for the trip, must also be personally qualified to receive an entry visa.

    The embassy’s rejection letter reads: “In order to be able to make a decision on whether or not to grant you entry clearance in this category, l have taken into account your stated circumstances in Nigeria, the reasons for your visit and your proposed travel arrangements. You have declared that you are self-employed as a tailor with no fixed income and that you have one child to support. You also state that you are a boxer and wish to defend your boxing title in the United Kingdom. Whilst I acknowledge your statement that your proposed trip to the UK is to be sponsored by your sponsor, I must take into account your personal socio-economic circumstance in Nigeria when reaching my decision. The Immigration Rules require me to be satisfied that you personally qualify for a visa. None of the money being used to fund your trip is your own. I am not satisfied that you have sufficient economic ties to Nigeria to suggest you would not seek to remain in the UK if admitted as a visitor now. Given the statements you have made and the documentary evidence you have presented to support your application, l am not satisfied that your circumstances in Nigeria, coupled with your reasons for wishing to travel to the UK, are such that you have shown your intentions are as stated or that you intend to leave the UK at the end of proposed visit.”

    The Nigerian Boxing Board of Control, in a statement, yesterday urged the embassy to rescind its decision.

    The Board said the High Commission’s decision was capable of derailing Olaitan’s career.

    It said: “With this denial of entry visa to Yakubu Kareem and his trainer, Isiaka Olatunji, the implication is that come the 8th of March, 2013, the British boxer Paul Butler, who happens to be the challenger, would be declared as the new champion without throwing a punch.”

    The secretary of the Board, Mr. Remi Aboderin, said: “This is a great injustice and we plead with the sport minister/ministry to please help address this issue before it is too late. The High Commission keeps denying applicants on the basis of the applicants not having sufficient ties or not being economically sound. This boxer needs to be allowed to travel and defend his title; if he is allowed to travel for this fight alone, he stands to earn $7,500.”

     

  • Rape: Commission seeks probe of army officers

    Rape: Commission seeks probe of army officers

    The National Human Rights Commission has called on the Chief of Army Staff, Azubuike Ihejerika and the FCT Commissioner of Police, Adenrele Shinaba to investigate the alleged rape of some women in Abuja by men said to be in army uniform.

    The suspected rapist reportedly tagged the women “prostitute”, abducted them and later violated them.

    A statement issued in Abuja from the Public Affairs and Communication Department of the NHRC and signed by Fatimah Agwai Mohammad urged the FCT Commissioner of Police to update it with any action taken on the matter.

    This, the commission said will enable it take necessary action in line with its mandate.

    The statement said, “The NHRC monitored the report of the incident as aired by the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, on January 14, 2013 in which it was reported that on the 20th, 21st and the 22nd of December last year, some women were allegedly abducted by men in army uniform in an unidentified black Hilux Van around Wuse 2, Abuja under the guise that they were prostitutes and taken to an unknown destination where they were beaten and raped.

    “Although the matter is said to be presently before the Federal Secretariat Police Station, the NHRC condemns in its entirety all forms of rights violation and it is ready to ensure that the rights of the victims are enforced.”

     

  • Commission, operators to meet on ‘no premium, no cover policy’

    The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) will soon meet some key players in the sector to find solutions to some challenges in the ‘no premium no cover policy’of the commisssion that started on January 1, The Nation has learnt.

    It was learnt that brokers are worried that underwriters may by-pass them to provide cover for businesses rejected by them due to non- payment of premium.

    President Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB) Mrs Laide Osijo said the operators have agreed with NAICOM to call the stakeholders in the industry – representatives of the brokers and underwriters – to chart the way forward for the implementation of the policy.

    She said: “These issues are fundamental to the operations of brokers, for 80 per cent of insurance business in the country is done through brokers. If we follow the law and underwriters refuse to follow, the whole thing would be a mess. We would try to ensure we get the modalities as to how to go about the policy.”

    She lauded NAICOM for its decision to bring sanity into the industry through the policy, adding that the idea of underwriters accusing brokers of non-remittance of premium will now be a thing of the past with the introduction of the policy.

    According to the Commissioner for Insurance Fola Daniel, when they were doing verification of accounts of brokers and underwriters, they observed that most of the outstanding premiums that brokers were accused of were not actually true. Some of the underwriters raised their books to cover their expenses.

    “NAICOM observed the mis-representations and sanctioned the errant underwriters. Some brokers who erred by keeping premium beyond the stipulated date were also sanctioned. I am not saying that brokers are perfect, but most of the accusation by underwriters is not really true. NAICOM observed that most of the withheld premiums are receivables,” she said.

    She said brokers have been enjoined to report underwriters who by-pass them to take a business they rejected, stressing that the operators have agreed to abide by the policy.

  • ‘Power Commission ‘ll not lose budget’

    The Minister of State for Power, Hajiya Zainab Kuchi, yesterday allayed fears that the Hydro-electric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC) will lose its N220 million 2012 budget.

    According to her, the Federal Government will pay the fund before the end of 2012 financial year.

    Kuchi recalled that “in 2010 something was budgeted as the act had not come into force. In 2011 something was also budgeted and lost because the commission had not taken off.”

    She spoke when the Committee on HYPPADEC visited her in Abuja.

    The minister said the framework for the takeoff of the commission is in place. “As to whether this is December, we are going to lose the money, I say no. We are not going to lose the money. The framework has been in place. The committee headed by Dr. Hassan has done the framework. Payments will be made before the end of this year’s budget.”

    Hajiya Kuchi noted that the Power Holding Company of Nigeria’s (PHCN’s) successor companies will work in collaboration with the commission.

    She said: “Private companies have to operate under the ambit of the law. When you are a successor company, you have to take over everything. There will be continuity. There will be no issue as far as social responsibilities are concerned.”

    The committee, led by the Secretary to Niger State Government, Mr. Clifford Shamehe, also presented a request to the minister, saying it needed to ensure that funds allocated to the commission in the 2012 budget are made available for its activities.

    The committee noted “the need to fast-track the constitution of the Federal Management Committee on the commission. The burning desire of all and sundry for the development of the common people and more importantly, the provision of infrastructural facilities for the benefit of all.”

     

  • Reps to pass bill to establish Commission for flood, erosion

    Reps to pass bill to establish Commission for flood, erosion

    •Dickson signs supplementary budget 

    A bill to establish a commission for flood and erosion yesterday passed the second reading at the House of Representatives.

    The bill, which was sponsored by a member, Uzoma Abonta, was referred to the Uche Ekwunife-led House Committee on Environment for further legislative input.

    “A bill for a Act to provide for the establishment of the Coastal Erosion and Flood Control Commission, and to vest it with the responsibility for the control and management of coastal erosion and flood and for other related matters” was supported by most of the members on the floor.

    Abonta, presenting the bill, said the commission has become imperative.

    He said: “Like the bill suggests, we should have the commission that will handle such disasters. The problem of flood cannot be overemphasised. We have seen the damaging effect of flood on our nation. States like Lagos, Delta, Edo, Anambra, Bayelsa, Nassrawa and others are under threat of flood.

    “Farms and animals are facing serious threat from flood. We face the threat of starvation. We should seek a permanent solution. It is not something we can deal with on a temporary basis.

    “Therefore, I think that the management of the total fund, which is very huge, is important. If you look at the budget, a lot of money is being voted for the threat and there is no agency to manage the fund. If we do not plan to mitigate the floods we might run into trouble in future.”

    The Deputy Leader, Leo Ogor and other members, such as Nkiruka Onyejeocha, Garuba Datti Mohammed and Abubarkar Momoh, threw their weight behind the bill.

    Ogor said: “As we speak, more than 18 to 19 states are submerged under flood. What are the solutions to it? This bill seeks to find a final solution. We should stop throwing money at a problem whenever it occurs. We should be proactive. The management of the Ecological funds is not transparent.”

    The lawmaker said the incursion of the floods have security implications. He added: “There is another major issue facing us which is the issue of hunger. If we have a commission or agency that will advise us on this issue, we will not have this kind of problems with management of the situation.”

    Onyejeocha said if the bill had come up two years ago, “it may not have succeeded as we have said we will no longer support the setting up of agencies and commissions. But the present realities show we need it”.

    He added: “As for the Ecological Funds, who are those managing it? Already we have funds meant for ecological problems but it is not well managed.

    If we have a specialised commission, the funds may be put under it and it will be well management. If we have a commission to manage erosion and floods, it will be more effective.”

    Betty Apiafi drew the attention of the members to the fact that the scope of the bill was narrow.

    She said: “ The Ministry of Environment is in charge of such matters. If an agency or ministry designated for a particular role is not working, we should ask why. If Nigeria Meteorological Agency had broadcasted that we will have flood, what did the Ministry of Environment do about it? Why have we not built buffer dams? Setting up another agency is not the solution. The funds meant for that could be used to make the existing ones effective.”

    Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson has signed the 2012 State Supplementary Appropriation Bill into law.

    Speaking shortly after signing the bill at the Executive Council chambers of the Government House, Yenagoa, Dickson said the Bill was initiated to enable government tackle the challenges posed by the flood disaster.

    He said: “In accordance with the law, government secured an approval of two-third majority of the State House of Assembly to spend 1.5 billion naira from the State Compulsory Savings Account.

    “It is good to save. And because we have actually been saving…Outside this month alone, what we are going to put into that fund, the compulsory saving scheme is about 3.5billion naira.

    “I had to request the Bayelsa house of Assembly in accordance with the laws that the House should by Two-Third majority grant our request to spend 1.5 billion naira from our savings to address some of the immediate challenges posed by the crisis.”

    The Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Benson Kombowei, said the house passed the bill two days after its receipt.

    Kombowei said the timely passage of the Bill was to enable government immediately cushion the effects of the flood.