The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Council

  • Set up Public Procurement Council, now

    SIR: The inauguration of new ministers and conferment of portfolio on them have set the ball of governance rolling. However, in order not place the cart before the horse, it is time for the President to constitute the National Council on Public Procurement (NCPP).  President Muhammadu Buhari during his campaigns promised to set up the NCPP and this was also re-affirmed in his inauguration speech. The constitution of the NCPP suffered set back during the last administration as a result, the Federal Executive Council took it upon itself to award contracts in breach of the law.

    Recall that the Public Procurement Act 2007, made provisions for the National Council on Procurement and gave it powers to set up the bureau for public procurement. Section (2) of the Act enumerated functions of the council: To consider, approve and amend monetary and prior review thresholds by procuring entity; consider and approve policies on public procurement amongst others. The NCPP is to certify federal procurement prior to the awards of contract, and supervise the implementation of established procurement policies. As provided in the PPA 2007, there are certain thresholds of contracts which cannot be approved by the permanent secretaries; such contracts are to be referred to the council. Contracts with thresholds above N10 million for works and N5 million for goods are to be referred to the council for approval.

    In the past regime, the President assumed the powers of the chairman of the NCPP, and was responsible for the approval of large-scale contracts. Meanwhile the Act provided that the council be chaired by the minister of finance who is expected to work with industry/sector experts. Nigeria Bar Association, Nigeria Association of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Nigeria Society of Engineers, Civil Societies and the media are amongst external members that make up the council. The composition of the council is meant to provide for transparency, professional advice and general oversight into the activities of the Bureau.

    Today, we are witness to the negative results being experienced as a result of mismanagement of resources, most of which have risen out of procurements and award of contracts. Contract-inflation and delay in the execution of contracts have been the order of events. The negative impact of the President meddling in the procurement process, will not only lead to distraction in governance it will also  question the integrity of the President in the event that such contracts fails to achieve value for money.

    As the ministers settle down to work, the President should as a matter of urgency, constitute the NCPP so as to ensure that the change agenda is realized ab-initio in the awards of contract. The constitution of the NCPP will create environment for sound procurement systems to thrive and will help to block leakages from contract awards. If the President responds positively to this, he would have once again, demonstrated his resolve to fight corruption and end up engendering quality procurement and cost savings in the awards of contracts.

    • Emejuiwe Victor,

    Centre for Social Justice, Abuja.

  • Council opens bid for roads construction

    Council opens bid for roads construction

    •Cross section of people at the event
    •Cross section of people at the event

    In line with the Lagos State government’s directive that the 57  council areas should construct two roads each, the Onigbongbo Local Council Development Area has invited competent contractors to bid for the two roads it would construct.

    Recall that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode had, while speaking during the monthly meeting with the Executive Secretaries of the 57 councils to review the progress report in their various communities as well as their challenges recently, said the decision to embark on the road rehabilitation was in line with the reforms at the local government level. He noted that the first phase will commence with the reconstruction of 114 roads (two in each council area) at the cost of N19 billion.

    The Governor, who said the execution of the project will be left in the care of the local governments, however, urged the Executive Secretaries to ensure that only the best contractors are engaged to ensure that the prescribed standard is met on all the roads. It was based on this directive that “best contractors are engaged to ensure that the prescribed standard is met on all the roads”, that the council, through its consultant, advertised for competent contractors to bid for the construction of two roads in the area. The roads for bidding are Olorunninsola Street and Ettal Memunat Street Onigbongbo.

    A release signed by the Information Officer of Onigbongbo LCDA, Mrs. Olubukola Ilesanmi-Fajinmi indicates that in all, nine contractors came for the bidding which took place at the council’s secretariat on Friday. Mrs. Ilesanmi-Fajinmi said: “Following the laid down rules by the Lagos State Government, there was a level playing ground for all interested companies which tendered bids for any of the projects.”Opening of bidding was attended by nine different companies, and the roads for bidding are Olorunninsola Street and Ettal Memunat Street Onigbongbo.Four companies bided for Ettal Memunat while five companies bided for Olorunnisola Street.”

    The companies’ entire representatives expressed their satisfaction over what they called open and transparent bidding process and the fact that the council employed the services of a consultant which ensured transparency.”

    The chairman of the Tenders Board, Hon. Oladotun Olakanle explained that the board followed the rules as stipulated by the Lagos State Government; hence the open and transparent bidding process.

    Present at the opening of bidding were the Executive Secretary of Onigbongbo LCDA, Hon. Moshood Mustapha Abiola, Head of Administration, Mrs. B. A. Dalumo; Human Resource Officer, Mr. Adegbite A. A.; Legal Officer, Mrs. Olaiya and representatives of the nine companies that came for the bidding.

  • Council sensitises public on security

    Iru/Victoria Island Local Council Development Area (LCDA) Executive Secretary Muideen Daramola has called on residents to be vigilant.

    Daramola who made the call at a Pea,ce and Security Stakeholders’ meeting at the council, said residents must be conscious of activities around them because of the security situation.

    The council, he said had been doing a lot to keep members of the community abreast of security situations in the state.

    “In terms of awareness, what we are doing is one of the ways to curb the menace of insecurity. We have been to market places, motor parks to sensitise people and we have also told them not to allow strangers in their domains that will later constitute nuisance.

    Victoria Island is the heart of the nation, we make sure that every month we have security meetings to review security situations in the community,” he said.

    Victoria Island Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Olusegun Ajamolaye, a chief Superintendent (CSP), urged members of the community to report crime cases in their neighborhood to the police and other security agencies.

    Urging the citizens to be conscious of their security, Ajamolaye gave them the slogan “see something say something” as a way of passing information to the security agencies to track hoodlums.

    “We should be conscious of our security, we should see something and say something, we are not magicians you need to see something and say something, so as to help us improve security in the state,” he said.

     

  • Council provides work tools for 75 trainees

    Council provides work tools for 75 trainees

    It was all smiles last week at Itamarun, the Secretariat of Epe Local Government   Area in Lagos State, as the Executive Secretary, Hon. Hamed Seriki distributed various materials to 75 residents that were trained in different skills in the council’s effort to fight unemployment and reduce poverty.

    The beneficiaries, who cut across party lines, received one- week training in such vocations as catering, bead making, soap making. They were also taught how to produce antiseptic such as izal, air freshner, adire   and other household items.

    At the end of the training, beneficiaries were kitted with work tools such as clippers, dryers, beads, chemicals to enable them to practise their trade and make their effort worthwhile.

    Speaking on the occasion, Hon Seriki described the event as part of the council’s responsibilities and bold efforts to combat unemployment and make life more comfortable for its citizens. He enjoined the beneficiaries to put the work materials into good use so that the purpose of the training will not be defeated and the council will be encouraged to do more.

    Earlier in his speech, the Supervisor for Agriculture, Hon. Allison Kadiri, praised the efforts of Hon. Seriki in supporting such programme to move the beneficiaries away from the poverty line. He described his leadership style as visionary. He said: “More efforts in this direction will promote economic viability, understanding between the people and government, reduce crime and engender peace among the citizenry.

  • Council attracts N35 million project

    The Ikoyi/Obalende Local Council Development Area (LCDA) has attracted a N35 million initiative for the development of its primary educational facility  through the provision of an e-centre facility to a school – Obalende Nursery and Primary school, by ExxonMobil Nigeria.

    The donation of the e-center worth N35 Million by ExxonMobil, is the second intervention project by the company in the council after the oil giant had renovated and upgraded the same school to the tune of N100 Million, five years ago.

    The council’s Executive Secretary, Mrs Toyin Caxton-Martins, described the donation as a game changer to public schools in the area, saying it has put them on the same pedestal with well funded private schools.

    Caxton-Martins said the dual nature of the area that has both wealthy and the less-privileged is always a challenge for the council.

    The e-center, which includes e-library management system, was done under the ERHA North Phase 2 Umbilical Project (EPC3) community assistance initiative of the oil company, with the facilities also provided to two other schools, Ansar-Ud-Deen Nursery and Primary School, Ebute-Metta and Awoyaya Nursery and Primary school, Victoria Island.

    She said the gesture has lifted the burden off the government in providing qualitative education for the populace.

    She sought for more collaboration with the organised private sector in uplifting the area.

    The Project Manager, ExxonMobil Nigeria Affiliates, Mr John Unietis, said: “the programme is another significant step we are taking in our quest to improve the quality of education available to our young ones through social investment in critical infrastructure required to equip them with the requisite skills for competing in today’s knowledge economy from their early years”.

    Unietis, represented by Wale Bishi, Senior Project Manager, ExxonMobil, said ExxonMobil subsidiaries in the country have committed over N5 billion over the years in scholarship to young Nigerians at the secondary, tertiary and post-tertiary levels, all in furtherance of their quest to improve the education standard

  • Council sensitises residents to hygiene

    Council sensitises residents to hygiene

    Committed to ensuring residents’ well-being, Executive Secretary of Ikeja Local Government Area of Lagos State, Mr. Adekunle Dally-Adeokun has promised to make the environment conducive for healthy living.

    •Mr Dally-Adeokun durng the last sanitation exercise.
    •Mr Dally-Adeokun durng the last sanitation exercise.

    Hon. Dally-Adeokun, who spoke during the environmental sanitation held at the council headquarter,  said he would work towards ensuring that residents have attitudinal change on the environment.

    He noted that maintaining high level of cleanliness would engender good health, advising residents to participate actively in the monthly clean-up exercise.

    The Executive Secretary called on the residents to co-operate with the council in its efforts to rid the area of waste, so as to promote healthy environment.

    The council chief, however, expressed discontent over attitude of some residents who do not comply with the council’s and state’s rules and regulations with regard to proper waste disposal. He also frowned at their proclivity to indiscriminate dumping of garbage in water channels which would have devastating effects on the environment.

    He said: ‘’We are appealing to residents to strictly observe the monthly environmental exercise. Today, we are not satisfied with the level of compliance, especially at Makinde Street by Obafemi Awolowo Way and Baba Yufu Close at Ward F all in Alausa Ikeja. The drainage has been blocked; the street most times are waterlogged, coupled with construction of illegal markets and parks. We are going to enforce environmental sanitation laws.

    “Residents should co-operate with the council to rid the surroundings of waste, especially in front of their houses.

    “It would not be business as usually. The council’s vehicles would help to evacuate wastes. The council would also work towards making residents of various communities to maintain clean environment.”

    Also speaking, the wife of Executive Secretary, Mrs. Olaide Adeokun said the council was disturbed over the nonchalant attitude of some residents who block water channels with domestic waste.

    She equally expressed worry over indiscriminate dumping of garbage in water channel which she said could result in overwhelming effects on the residents.

    She, therefore, urged market women to always clear their environment before selling and after selling their wares to ensure clean environment, saying a dirty environment was threat to good health.

    Corroborating Mrs. Adeokun’s views, the Chairman Community Development Committee (CDC) of the council, Ahaji Osinberu Sulukaleen said in their monthly stakeholders’ meeting, they would continue to appeal to residents to maintain clean and safe environment and to imbibe rewarding sanitation habits.

    He also pleaded with the state government to start enforcement of the environmental laws.

    Sanitation tools such as hand gloves, brooms, rakes and nylon bags for waste collection were distributed to the residents.

    The Head of Environmental Services and Waste Management Unit, Mr. Kolawale Ajanaku said efforts are being made to sensitise residents to the need to clean their surroundings every day and not to wait until another sanitation day.

    Meanwhile, some officials of the council, including the Deputy Executive Secretary, Prince Oluranti Olufon visited some streets to inspect the level of compliance to the day’s sanitation exercise by the residents.

  • ALGON chief hails Dogara on council autonomy

    President of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Hon. Micah Jiba has hailed the effort of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara in ensuring that local governments achieve financial autonomy.

    The Speaker has been trying to get state Houses of Assembly to support moves to grant autonomy to the councils.

    In a statement issued by the ALGON president stated that granting financial autonomy to local governments will alleviate suffering and underdevelopment at the grassroots as a result of lack of financial freedom for the local governments in the country.

    Jiba stated that he wondered why the idea of financial autonomy was initially rejected by the state Assemblies, adding that the issues has become necessary following the fact that the new government in power has also declared to Nigerian on its inaugural speech that granting a local government autonomy is one of its priority.

    “It very difficult to see a local government embarked on gigantic project because of paucity of fund. But I am not saying that meaningful projects are not carried out by some of us especially in Abuja but we go to extra mile to be able to do that in our localities, for example AMAC was able to embarked upon and completed merger road projects at AMVE, 5 kilometers road at Orozo, Kabusa and a bridge at Gwagwalape only because of the passion to alleviate the suffering of the rural dwellers.

    “So if there is independence in the Nigerian local government we will do more and the burden of less development at the grassroots level will be finally lifted”

    He therefore, called on well meaning Nigerians to support the idea of the local government autonomy in order to ensure that dividend of democracy in this administration is delivered to the people of Nigeria.

    Jiba also expressed gratitude’s to speaker of the House of representatives Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara for using his office to solicit support for the local government autonomy and adding that if actualized his name will be written bold in gold when Nigeria history is written again.

    He further prayed the Almighty God to continue to give the speaker of the House the needed wisdom to deliver the mandates to the people of Nigeria and concluded that the 774 local of Nigeria represented by ALGON has concluded plans to pay the speaker of the Nigerian House of Assembly a courtesy visit in no distant time.

  • Council boosts IGR

    The Chairman of Owan East Local Government Area of Edo State, Mr. Jimoh Ijegbai has explained how he increased the council’s internally-generated revenue (IGR) from N200,000 monthly to N16 million.

    Addressing reporters during the inauguration of water projects at Arokho and Imakhu communities in the area, Mr. Ijegbai said he performed the feat by looking at areas where the local government has comparative advantage.

    Mr. Ijegbai noted that he pledged not to rely solely on federal allocation to develop the council when he assumed office in 2013.

    The council chief said he realised that “oil will not last forever” and therefore decided to go into commercial sale of petroleum products as well as remodeling of its transport system.

    He said: “The first thing we did when we assumed office was to look inward in order to boost our IGR and this has paid off greatly.

    “At present, we have one of the most efficient transport systems among local governments in Nigeria. Within two years, we have increased our fleet of buses from the eight we met on ground to 24. These buses are plying various routes in the country.

    “Again, we decided to go into commercial sale of fuel. We are into selling of petroleum products in the local government as a commercial entity.

    “We know that oil will not last forever. When we started noticing the signs that things were going bad, we decided to identify where we have comparative advantage and we took advantage of it and it is the secret behind the success we are witnessing today.”

    “It will surprise you that we are not only initiating projects, we are executing as well as inaugurating projects because, we foresaw this financial crunch that has affected most states and council areas of the country.”

  • AOCOED Council ratifies Ag.Bursar

    AOCOED Council ratifies Ag.Bursar

    The   newly   constituted   Governing   Council   Chairman   of   Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED), Oto/Ijanikin Lagos at   its   inaugural   meeting   held   at   the   College   Council Chamber, ratified the appointment of Mr. Oyewolu Babatunde Sunday

    Born July 7, Oyewolu had Ordinary National Diploma (OND) and a Higher National Diploma (HND) also in

    Business Administration with Specialisation in Personnel Management and Industrial Relations in 1985 and 1988 respectively.

    The Ogun State born Chartered Accountant also belongs to some professional bodies including: the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (ACIT) and the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) among others.

    Oyewolu joined the service of the AOCOED as executive officer (Accounts) in August, 1990 and rose through the ranks to post of a Chief Accountant in 2005. Until his recent appointment, as the College he was the head of Management Information unit of the Bursary Department.

     

  • Senator rebuilds restroom for council

    Senator Yahaya A. Abdullahi of Kebbi North Senatorial District, Kebbi State, has reconstructed  a modern toilet facility at the Argungu Local Government Secretariat of the state, left in a state of disrepair for decades.

    The reconstruction of the toilet facility, estimated to have cost about N500, 000, will bring succour to workers of several Federal Government agencies, including the Federal Road Safety Commission, (FRSC), the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, (NSCDC), the National Identity Management Commission, (NIMC), the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency,(NDLEA), who are said to be the users of the facility

    In a related development, the lawmaker has also decried the number of people that has been electrocuted in Kebbi in recent times. No fewer than 11 people are said to have been electrocuted over the last three weeks, leading to fears and anxiety among the people in the area.

    The lawmaker however assured that he has discussed the unfortunate incident with members of the Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Power, and will soon present a formal memo to them on the matter.

    According to him, there is every indication that his colleagues will work with him to call on for a comprehensive overhaul and re-strengthening of power lines, across the country, to withstand the impending increase in national power output, particularly as President Muhammadu Buhari sets about tackling the issue of infrastructural decay in the power sector.