The Nation Newspaper

Tag: CSO

  • Meeting with Saraki: CSO tackles SERAP

    Civil society organization under the aegis of Lawyers in Defence of Democracy, has denied the statement issued by Socio-Economic Right and Accountability Project (SERAP) that its meeting with Senate President, Bukola Saraki left more questions than answers.

    SERAP had issued a statement to express displeasure over its meeting with the leadership of National Assembly.

    National Convener, LDD, Tochukwu Ohazuruike, in a statement in Abuja, said the statement by SERAP was not a true reflection of what happened at the meeting.

    The statement reads: “Our attention has been drawn to a statement issued by SERAP about the happenings in the meeting and without much ado, we categorically state that the statement by SERAP is not a true representation of what transpired in the meeting.

    “That statement was at best a disappointment and the integrity SERAP postures it possesses on the outside was put at stake and shattered.

    “Deputy ‘Executive’ Director of SERAP and who spoke on behalf of the organization eulogized the person of the Senate President more than any other person in attendance.

    “He praised the Senate President for the changes he has brought to the National Assembly including opening the books of NASS, Public hearing in budge ng, prompt action on the double emolument and other innovations of the Senate President. In fact he clearly stated that staff of SERAP all changed their views and celebrated the Senate President for the actions he took on the double emolument issue.

    “Neither SERAP nor any other Organization questioned the Senate President on any issue which was not answered. In fact the meeting rose with the understanding that the issue of salary of lawmakers had been adequately addressed and laid to rest for good.

    “It is unfortunate SERAP has gone into the forest to cut firewood and is now on the road shouting about whoever it was that cut the fire wood.

    “Senate President made commitment to more effectively and transparently utilize the allocation of the Senate and also push for better collaboration with Civil Society on how to achieve the goal.

    “The Senate President therefore advocated for a monthly interaction between the Senate committee on NGO’s and Civil Society Organizations to make for proactive engagement on issues and also committed to a quarterly meeting with his office and Civil Society Organizations.

    “Also unfortunate is the fact that despite the undertaking of SERAP that they will in future while criticizing the National Assembly cease to ridicule the institution of the Parliament and bring the institution to disrepute, SERAP could not wait 24hours to expose its unholy agenda of their paymasters against the National Assembly in the statement they issued.

    “SERAP by this singular act has shown that it indeed is not a credible organization. SERAP detests the institution of the Parliament and one wonders how an organization that preaches abolition of the Parliament can at the same time preach democracy.

    “Again, the Senate President following the trend of discussions called on Civil Society to avail the Senate of information of any acts of corruption and indeed encourage Nigerians to report such and at the same time pledged to ensure that all reports are investigated transparently while the check on this will be the monthly and quarterly meetings with CSO’s.

  • Andy Uba : CSOs laud judiciary over cert forgery ruling 

    Coalition of Civil Society Group (CCSG) has urged the judiciary not to relent on its oars in protecting Nigeria’s democracy.

    Speaking against the backdrop of the ruling of a Federal High Court, which cleared Senator Andy Uba of alleged certificate forgery,  the Coalition said such rulings were necessary as it puts politicians and mischief makers  with sinister motives in check as they continue to employ all forms of antics at outfitting targeted politicians.

    President and secretary general of CCSG, Etuk Bassey and Abubakar Ibrahim,  respectively,  stated this yesterday in Abuja at a press conference where they expressed excitement that the controversy over the allegation of certificate forgery was laid to rest  by an FCT High Court, especially as the Anambra governorship elections was fast approaching.

    “The leadership of the Coalition of Civil Society Groups observed that by this judgment all persons parading as civil society organisations being used by the enemies of democracy to distract the Distinguished Senator Andy Uba has been put to shame. Also, the victory of Andy Uba at Abuja High Court has vindicated the Coalition of civil society group on their earlier call to the judiciary to jettison the allegations from some faceless organisations that are being used by unscrupulous Politicians”, the group said.

    The coalition  further  reiterated their belief in Uba’s capacity to accommodate challenges and offer leadership.

    “The judiciary must now begin to apply punitive in order to discourage politicians from using the judiciary as a weapon to win political office. By this judgment, the Distinguished Senator is now qualified to contest any election in the federal republic of Nigeria.”

  • FG sued for alleged spying on Nigerians with satellites

    FG sued for alleged spying on Nigerians with satellites

    A Civic Society Organization (CSO) has dragged the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology to court seeking judicial review of the Ministry’s alleged refusal to attend to Freedom of Information (FoI) request it made to the Ministry several weeks ago.

    The action came as a result of a Freedom of Information request made by the Paradigm Initiative Nigeria (PIN) on May 3 to the ministry on the capabilities of two new satellites to be launched by the National Space and Research Development Agency under the Ministry.

    These satellites, PIN said, are believed to have snooping capacities which can infringe the constitutionally guaranteed rights of Nigerians to privacy. However, since the request was made, there has been no response from the ministry.

    The refusal of the ministry to abide by the provision of the FOI Act 2011, in this case, is responsible for the initiation of the court process by Paradigm Initiative.

    The case has been since fixed for hearing and will come up before Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court in the Abuja Division on June 28, 2017.

    “At Paradigm Initiative, we understand the need to ensure that digital rights are respected and aside from having this as one of our most important mandates, we have recognized the need to mount guard in making this happen. This is not done because of the abundance of time and resources, but for the need to ensure that rights begin to form the fulcrum upon which technological innovations are made. Furthermore, we are keen on the crucial influence of digital rights on our dear country’s socio-political and socio-economic survival”, said Tomiwa Ilori, the program assistant for Paradigm Initiative’s Magoyi (ICT policy) program.

    “This is not the first time we have turned to the Courts to have them safeguard digital rights in Nigeria. Even though a unique and novel turf, we are conscious of the fact that soon, we will be able to comfortably rely on the Court’s plethora of decided cases on digital rights to institutionalize its principles”, he continued.

    ‘Gbenga Sesan, the executive director of Paradigm Initiative, also said, “If Nigeria must lead in Africa, she must also learn to teach by examples, one of which is ensuring that rights are respected whether online or offline. We understand the bureaucracies and back-breaking challenges that come with asking questions from authorities, especially in Nigeria but we are not going to allow that deter us.’’

    Adeboye Adegoke, a program manager with Paradigm Initiative’s Magoyi (ICT Policy) program, reiterated “the need to make sure that we have rights-respecting institutions in Nigeria is almost a thankless job considering the unique structure of Nigeria as a country but it is a job that must be done.

    We will ensure that we get this matter to a logical conclusion and we implore Nigerians to join us in creating more awareness of the need to respect digital rights. Thankfully, Nigerians are beginning to get more interested in strategies to make sure that digital rights gain more footing as it is intrinsically linked to democratic principles of constitutionalism.”

  • Adesina disowns CSO over Punch reporter’s expulsion

    Adesina disowns CSO over Punch reporter’s expulsion

    President Muhammadu Buhari’s media office yesterday distanced itself from the expulsion of the Punch correspondent covering the Presidential Villa, Mr. Olalekan Adetayo.
    Journalists in the Villa are directly attached to the office of the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity Femi Adesina.
    Adetayo was yesterday afternoon expelled by Buhari’s Chief Security Officer, Bashir Abubakar, over story considered offensive to the Presidency.
    Adesina, on his Twitter handle, said he was not consulted before Adetayo was expelled.
    He said: “We weren’t consulted in the media office by the CSO before he expelled the Punch reporter. President Buhari is committed to press freedom.
    “An amicable solution would be found to the reporter matter. President Buhari does not intend to muzzle the media in any way,” Adesina added

  • Buhari media office disowns CSO over Punch correspondent’s expulsion

    Buhari media office disowns CSO over Punch correspondent’s expulsion

    President Muhammadu Buhari’s media office on Monday distanced itself from the expulsion of the Punch correspondent covering the Presidential Villa, Mr. Olalekan Adetayo.

    All journalists in the Villa are directly attached to the office of the Special Adviser on media and publicity, Femi Adesina.

    Adetayo was on Monday afternoon expelled by Buhari’s Chief Security Officer, Bashir Abubakar, over story considered offensive to the Presidency.

    The Special Adviser on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, on his Twitter handle said that he was not consulted before Adetayo was expelled.

    He said “We weren’t consulted in the media office by the CSO before he expelled The Punch reporter.

    President Buhari is committed to press freedom.

    “An amicable solution would be found to The Punch reporter matter. President Buhari does not intend to muzzle the media in any way.” he added

  • PDP leader, CSO hail Ambode on new waste management policy

    PDP leader, CSO hail Ambode on new waste management policy

    Achieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, Prince Yakub Aromasodu, has hailed Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for renewing the waste management policy.
    Aromasodu, who is a former Youth Leader of the party in the state and Deputy Leader in the Southwest, said the governor’s Cleaner Lagos Initiative (CLI) would ensure a cleaner and healthier environment.
    To strengthen the initiative, the governor signed the new Environmental Management and Protection Law and to make it function efficiently.
    The government also assembled a consortium of global leaders in waste management, led by Visionscape, to manage waste collection and disposal, using ultra-modern facilities.
    It noted that the initiative would also empower the Private Sector Participants (PSPs) to play key roles in waste collection.
    Aromasodu said the good intention of the policy was not in doubt, adding that Lagos residents need to support the government to properly manage environmental issues.
    He said: “Irrespective of party differences, I think the new environmental policy is a good one and, if implemented as planned, it would bring about a cleaner and healthier environment. As a youth leader and former Coordinator of National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP) in Lagos State, I particularly note the fact that over 27,500 jobs would be created through the initiative, aside other layers of jobs.
    “When waste management is properly prosecuted in line with international best practices, all the people will benefit, irrespective of creed, colour or background. I believe the initiative will be in our collective interest.”
    Also, a civil society group, Centre for Democracy and Socio Economy Rights (CEDESER), said the CLI demonstrated Ambode’s commitment to the progress of the state.
    CEDESER’s Executive Director Michael Popoola Ajayi said many parts of the Lagos metropolis had been suffering from filthiness because of inadequate waste management, which have made most of the areas an eyesore.
    It said: “Critically appraising the initiative, it is obvious that it is in the best interest of the people. It has both short and long term benefits and, most importantly, the benefits cut across diverse areas of life. While it is ensuring immeasurable cleaner and healthier environment, the initiative will also open enormous opportunities for people in creation of wealth and massive provision of jobs and so, it is a thing to be encouraged.
    “It is a fact that filth and dirts are almost taking over the streets in some areas of the state. This actually contradicts the status of the state as a megacity. The initial waste management arrangement had been conspicuously overwhelmed by the weight and volume of waste being generated in the state. Therefore, there is need for more effective strategy in making the state cleaner and healthier.
    “This has been demonstrated by Governor Ambode with the Cleaner Lagos Initiative. It will go a long way in securing better environment for everyone, especially our children.”

  • Environmental bill is anti-people, says CSOs

    Though the Bill has been assented to by the Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode but Civil Society Organisation, PSP operators, among others, have described the bill as anti people and hence some of its content should be considered for review.
    The Bill which was passed into law last week by the Lagos State House of Assembly according to the deputy executive director, Environmental Right Action (ERA) was only subjected to a hurriedly conducted Public Hearing by the House Committee on Environment after which it was passed into law. The bill he pointed out has a lot of issues which must be critically looked into.
    Analysing the content of the bill Olufemi Akinbode said some of the provision is anti-bill and will tie the hands of Lagos citizens to agreements that are ambiguous and not pro-people.
    Citing another reason why the bill should be considered for review, Deputy Chairman, Joint Action Front, Achike Chude said that the law is a conspiracy against the people. “We believe the added pressure is another guise to introduce Public Private Partnership (PPP) in the water sector which Lagosians have rejected in the water sector. We are again rejecting the push towards PPP through the backdoor,” he said.

    According to Olalekan Owojori, a  PSP Spokesperson Lagos is dirty now because the dump sites and landfills are not enough while those available are in terrible state. He claimed the state government is owing PSP Operators over N1B aside the 60 per cent they are entitled to just as what is charged clients has also been reduced arbitrarily.
    Like Owojori Betty Abah Executive Director, CEE-Hope believes that the vulnerable people in Lagos are currently under threat and Lagos State government is supposed to provide and protect people’s interest. “If the bill is assented to by the governor the lives of Lagosians are at a greater risk.To create a mega city, government should make life easy for people and not the other way round”, she said.

  • CSO blows whistle on fraudulent marine practices

    A civil society group – the Niger Delta Youth Coalition on at the weekend alerted the Presidency of a grand design been perfected by a UK-based marine security company working in concert with local collaborators to extort  foreign ship owners whose vessels ply the Nigerian waterways.

    In a letter of concern signed by the President of the group, Comrade Ebipade Jackson and its Secretary Comrade Tony Gbemudu, and addressed to President Muhammadu Buhari, the group described as unwholesome activities being carried out around the various ports along the Bonny Channel by a foreign company located in Exeter in the United Kingdom, with the connivance of an indigenous marine services provider based in Calabar , Cross Rivers State and some navy personnel.

    The group revealed that the foreign company has been putting out announcements internationally, claiming to have established a Safe Anchorage Area along the Bonny Channel  designed to provide protection for vessels whilst at anchorage and also while conducting STS Operations, “with a view to charging  huge illegal fees from foreign ship owners to whom they portray our ports  and the country as a war zone and paint a horrible picture of piracy, kidnapping and all manner of crimes in the nation’s water-ways to raise alarm and extort from them.”

    The civil society group further revealed that “all manner of illegal activities are being carried out at the so called safe anchorage area located at about 12 nautical miles west of Bonny Fairway Buoy at 04 15 35 N / 006 47 30E, around 12 nautical miles from the coastline. The BSA is said to be 1.5 NM in diameter with an additional 3 NM Maritime Exclusion Zone (MEZ) enforced around the main BSA, and served by a Mother ship.”

     

  • CSO faults Sanusi over Naira devaluation 

    CSO faults Sanusi over Naira devaluation 

    Coalition of Civil Society Groups has faulted submission of the Emir of Kano‎, Sanusi Lamido calling for further devaluation of the Naira.

    The coalition said in a briefing Tuesday in Abuja that such decision was anti-poor and could impoverish ‎the masses.

    The former Central Bank of Nigeria CBN Governor ‎had maintained that devaluation of the Naira was necessary to save the nation’s economy aside from exploring non-oil sector of the economy.

    President of the coalition, Comrade Etuk Bassey said it was important for Nigerians to allow the present administration implement some of its monetary and economic policies before being criticised.

    Bassey said, “Should the Naira be devalued then it is a big slap on the face of millions of Nigerians that voted for a true change at the 2015 Presidential elections.

    “Though we do not expect a quick miracle in the face of our dwindling economy but we appreciate the measures already taking by the CBN to ensure that we bounce back on time. The Sanusi Lamido Sanusi devaluation theory is uncalled for and should be rejected by all well-meaning Nigerians.”

    However, the coalition urged the incumbent CBN ‎Governor, Godwin Emefiele and his teams to remain focused and continue with what they considered appropriate for the development of the economy.

    “The devaluation of Naira will further increase poverty and suffering in the land,” he added

  • Consumers, MAN, CSO reject electricity tariff hike

    Consumers, MAN, CSO reject electricity tariff hike

    Electricity consumers, acting under the aegis of Nigeria Electricity Consumer Advocacy Network (NECAN), the  Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) and a group,  Say No Campaign-Civil Society Organisation (CSO), yesterday rejected attempts by the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to hike electricity tariff.

    Representatives of the groups, who spoke during public consultation on  Extra-Ordinary Tariff of the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) in Abuja, urged the power firms to first work on efficient power supply before tinkering with tariff hike.

    The commission had presented the distribution companies (Discos’) proposed new tariff, which indicated that R2 customers of Abuja Disco will have 79 per cent increase, Benin Disco 63 percent and EKo Disco, 25 per cent.

    Similarly, the R2 customers of Enugu would get 103 per cent increase, Jos, 55per cent, Ibadan, 28 per cent among others.

    But the opponents of the tariff hike complained about the refusal of the Discos to provide meters for their customers and lack of power supply.

    An official of MAN, who spoke during the meeting, said NERC was putting cart before the horse by thinking of tariff hike at a time there was no electricity to supply.

    NECAN’s Assistant Secretary, Mr. Oboma Ekoh said: “NECAN is totally opposed to any tariff increase at this moment.”

    According to him, the association did a survey in all the states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, adding that the response was very clear. “There is an outcry from Nigerians that any increase in electricity tariff will amount to very serious consequences, especially to the micro, small enterprises,” he said.

    He said the businesses of his members are sustained by electricity, warning that any hike will send them to to the labour market.

    CSO convener, Mr. Ezenwa Nwagwu   accused the regulator of colluding with the power firms at the detriment of the citizens.

    According to him, the customers supplied cables, transformers and other electricity components, lamenting that   what they get in return is tariff hike instead of power supply.

    Asked to comment on alleged inefficiency of  the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company and whether the firm still deserves any hike, NERC Chairman Dr. Sam Amadi, said there is a level of inefficiency caused by lack of effectiveness of the distribution companies.

    He however noted that “tariff is not a means of punishment. A tariff is something you are entitled to.”

    Amadi said  the firms need cost-reflective tariff to be efficient.