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Tag: Dogara

  • Saraki, Dogara, Ekweremadu preach unity

    Saraki, Dogara, Ekweremadu preach unity

    Senate President Bukola Saraki, his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, and former Senate President, David Mark, have appealed to Nigerians to work towards the unity and progress of the nation.

    In a goodwill message by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki also urged Nigerians irrespective of creed and tribe to continue to work for the peace, unity and stability of the country.

    He also urged leaders – political, traditional, religious and business – to close ranks and implement strategies that would further develop the country as well as increase standard of living.

    The Senate President said: “Our togetherness, abundant resources and diversity are our greatest asset. Therefore let us refrain from tendencies that tend to pull us apart.”

    Ekweremadu urged Nigerians to be patient and optimistic, assuring the country would surely overcome its challenges.

    He said although the nation is bedeviled by myriad of challenges, it would spring back to reckoning as a true giant of Africa and realise the dreams of the founding fathers.

    According to him: “The important thing is that Nigeria remains a nation with unbeatable potentials.

    “All we need is the right attitude and leadership to translate our potential to greatness.

    “Our greatest challenge at the moment is not the economic hardship, biting as it is. Our greatest problem is disunity and disaffection because the country has never been this divided.

    “We need a leadership that sees every part of the country as its constituency, irrespective of different political, ethnic and religious leanings.

    Speaker Yakubu Dogara called on Nigerians to strengthen the bond of unity and cohesion.

    Dogara made the call in a goodwill message to mark Nigeria’s 57 years Independence Anniversary, by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Turaki Hassan, in Abuja.

    The speaker, who said that Nigeria would only attain greatness in an atmosphere of peace, unity and stability, also urged the citizens to shun every harbinger of hate, division and violence.

    The speaker also urged Nigerians to eschew ethnic, religious and sectional chauvinism while coming together as one people and “one nation bound in freedom, peace and unity” as encapsulated in the country’s National Anthem.

     

  • Nigeria’s exit from recession delights Dogara

    Nigeria’s exit from recession delights Dogara

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has expressed happiness over the latest report released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) which indicated that Nigeria had finally exited recession.

    In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Mr. Turaki Hassan, on Tuesday in Abuja, Dogara said the House was happy with the performance of economy in the last quarter.

    He said the positive result was an indication that the economic policies of the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration were on track.

    He added that the task ahead was for sustained efforts by both the Executive and the Legislature in fast tracking programme implementation for even more rapid economic growth and development.

    Dogara said: “We must now channel our energies towards measures aimed at job creation for the millions of our people, address the widening socio-economic inequalities and creating opportunities for all Nigerians.

    “The House of Representatives will more than ever before step up its partnership with the Executive in this regard by introducing as well as supporting all measures designed to blossom the economy and put food on the tables of all Nigerians.

    “This informed the passage of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission Bill which should go a long way in attracting foreign direct investment.

    “It will also create job opportunities for our people and provide healthy and conducive business environment for the private sector to thrive.

    “We will implore the President to assent to this revolutionary bill as soon as it is concurred by the Senate and transmitted to him.”

    NAN

  • Dogara receives Buhari’s resumption letter

    Dogara receives Buhari’s resumption letter

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, on Monday acknowledged the receipt of President Muhammadu Buhari’s letter, notifying the House of Representatives about his resumption of duty.

    A statement issued by Dogara’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Turaki, said the letter was delivered to the office of the Speaker by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (House of Reps), Suleiman Abdurahman Kawu Sumaila.

     

     

  • Dogara to Buhari: You can always count on our support

    House of Representatives Speaker  Yakubu Dogara yesterday assured  President Muhammadu Buhari of the unalloyed support of the House as he returned home from  his medical vacation.

    Dogara, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Turaki Hassan, on the president’s return, also urged Nigerians to continue to pray for the divine perfection of his healing.

    The president’s recovery, according to him, “attests to the healing power of God owing to the fervent prayers of Nigerians who prayed day and night for the President.

    “It is now time for us all to continue to pray for the president for the perfection of the healing and divine rejuvenation to enable Mr. President steer the affairs of the nation in the right direction.

    “On our part, the House of Representatives wish to assure Mr. President of our determination, support and commitment towards delivering on our promises to the Nigerian people as members of the same government. Mr. President can always count on our support in this regard.”

  • Saraki, Ikpeazu, Dogara, APC decry killings  

    Saraki, Ikpeazu, Dogara, APC decry killings  

    •Fish out killers, say Ngige, Uba

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) and House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara have condemned the attack on St. Phillips Catholic Church in Ozubulu, Anambra State.

    In a statement, the APC condemned the barbarism displayed by the callous attackers who gunned down defenceless people as they worshipped.

    The party called on security agencies “to ensure that the perpetrators of this heinous crime are promptly apprehended and brought to justice. ”

    It also called on “security agents in Anambra as well as other parts of the country to provide adequate security in places of worship to forestall a repeat of this unfortunate incident”.

    Dogara described the attack as “abominable, barbaric, inhuman, and the height of wickedness”.

    In a statement signed by his spokesman Turaki Hassan, the Speaker said his “heart is broken” by the sad news.

    He added: ”Have we lost our humanity? Where is the place of sanctity of life and sacredness of worship places in our society? What offence did the worshippers commit to warrant their massacre in cold blood by wicked souls and heartless men?”

    The Speaker lamented that what he described as increasing insecurity was reducing Nigeria to the state of nature, with life increasingly becoming cheap.

    He reiterated his call for the overhaul of Nigeria’s policing architecture that will lead to reform the police, equip them with sophisticated gadgets so as to discharge their duties of protecting lives and property effectively, and ensure social order.

    Dogara called on security agencies to fish out the perpetrators of the “heinous crime” and bring them to justice speedily.

    Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu is sad over the shooting.

    In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Enyinnaya Appolos, Ikpeazu called on security agents to investigate the incident and speedily bring the perpetrators to justice.

    Ikpeazu added: “We cannot afford to have criminal elements, in whatever guise, invade places of worship and unleash mayhem on innocent people. The thoughts and prayers of the good people of Abia State are with our brothers in Anambra State as we mourn with them over the sad incident.”

    Senate President Bukola Saraki  expressed deep sadness over the attack.

    In a statement by his media adviser Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki described the killing of worshippers as the purest kind of evil, and charged the security services to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.

    The statement said: “Today, my heart goes out to Nigeria’s Christian community, Governor Willy Obiano, the people of Anambra State, and the families of the victims and the survivors of this terrible massacre.

    “This brutal act of attacking innocent and unsuspecting worshippers represents the purest kind of evil.

    “Our security forces must not stop until everyone involved in the orchestration and execution of today’s massacre in St. Philip’s Catholic Church, Anambra are brought to book by the strong arm of justice.”

    The Chairman of the South East Governors Forum and Governor of Ebonyi State,  Chief David Umahi, has described yesterday’s attack on worshipers at St Philips Catholic Church, Ozubulu as a national tragedy.

    Umahi, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Emmanuel Uzor, condoled with the Government of Anambra State and entire Catholic faithful of Nnewi Catholic Diocese as well as families of those that lost their loved ones and called for proper investigation to unravel the true cause of the carnage at the church.

    “This type of wickedness has further opened a fresh wound in our soul and further pointed to the dynamism of human existence. I on behalf of the good people of Ebonyi State condemn the wanton killlings recorded yesterday in a church in Anambra state.”

    Senator Andy Uba condemned the shooting and killing of worshippers at the St. Philips Catholic Church.

    In a statement by his media aide Joseph Itazi, Uba, who visited the scene said  Anambra people were not known for such violence.

    Uba urged the commissioner of police and the governor to ensure that the perpetrators were brought to book.

    “Such acts cannot be tolerated in Anambra: for worshippers to be slaughtered during mass is something that we must not allow in this state.

    Minister of Labour and  Employment Chris Ngige urged security agents to unravel the circumstances surrounding the murder.

    His condolence message said: ” This killing, so dastardly and so wicked is a dangerous dimension which is  very  alien to our people and culture. I therefore call on the police and other relevant security agencies to leave no stone unturned in tracking down the murderers and bringing them to justice”.

  • NANS hails Dogara on passage of youth bill

    NANS hails Dogara on passage of youth bill

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has commended Speaker Yakubu Dogara for passage of the bill allowing persons of 25 years and above to seek elections into the House of Representatives and State Assemblies.

    The students hailed the bill, which featured in the constitution amendment on the floor on House, saying it would give youths a clear voice in the running of the country.

    In a statement at the weekend by NANS President, Aruna Kadiri, the association said the Lower Chamber has made the youth population proud with the passage of the bill.

    “Dogara, by this singular act of doing what the majority of Nigerian youths want, has shown all and sundry that he is a responsive and responsible leader who is always alive to the yearnings and hopes of the generality of Nigerians.

    “The House of Representatives under the able and diligent leadership of Dogara has shown that power belongs to and resides with the people of Nigeria and that the interest of the people is supreme.

    “We urge the House to continue to respect the wishes of all Nigerians,” Kadiri said.

  • Support for Buhari: Aggrieved Reps revolt against Dogara

    Support for Buhari: Aggrieved Reps revolt against Dogara

    A rebellion is building up in the House of Representatives against Speaker Yakubu Dogara,according to multiple sources in the Green Chambers of the National Assembly.

    Dogara’s  offence is what many members perceive as his soft spot for the Presidency.

     The Reps claim the Speaker want to turn the House into a rubber stamp for the executive arm.

    They are also  angry that constituency projects are  not being implemented by the Executive,and want to know why about 50-60 per cent of them (members) have not been assigned their official cars.

    Another grievance of the Reps is alleged   lateness in payment of their salaries and allowances.

    Dogara ,though shocked by the development,has launched a counter move to calm frayed nerves.

    Majority of the Reps are said to have opted not to team up with the Senate to move against the Presidency,at least for now.

    Investigation revealed that Dogara was jolted  on Wednesday when some members of the House took him up on the various issues  at an Executive Session.

    It was learnt that a ranking member from Kano State led the protest by faulting the House leadership’s alleged romance with the presidency instead of asserting the independence of the chamber.

    The members alleged that their  support for the presidency, especially ailing President Muhammadu Buhari,  was not being reciprocated by the latter.

    They also complained about how ministers had been treating summons by committees with disdain.

    They were particularly irked by  the alleged unwillingness of the Executive to implement constituency projects in the 2016 budget.

    Members claimed they went through  hell to get the constituency projects executed.

    A top source  said: “Since he was elected, the Speaker has never had the type of revolt he witnessed during the week from members.

    “The matter got to a point that some members at the plenary on Wednesday refused to stand up in deference to the Speaker in order to usher him into the chamber.

    “Even on Thursday, some members extended their annoyance  to voting during the debate on amendments to the 1999 constitution.”

    Another  ranking member gave said: “Some members from the North-West actually led the revolt at the Executive session. They accused Dogara of ‘leaning so much to the Executive’ such that the House was being turned into a  rubber stamp.

    “They gave a long list of constitutional  violations by the Executive which the House ignored because of Dogara’s rapprochement with President Muhammadu Buhari and Acting President Yemi Osinbajo.

    “They queried why the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola will come out publicly to deride the House without any sanction. They cited cases of ministers and chief executives of MDAs not honouring House summons.

    “Also, the MDAs, especially ministers,  elect to implement constituency projects based on their whims and caprices. But they have always forgotten that the budget is a law. Some of us are tired and frustrated.

    “The Speaker has been persuading us to be patient but we are not delivering dividends of democracy to our constituents. What we now get is stoning of some members by their constituents.

    Another member from the South-South said: “Well, some of us actually complained bitterly about welfare matters. We are two years into our tenure and about 50-60 per cent of our members have not been given official cars.

    “The complaint we have been getting borders on the fact that the Peugeot model cars have been ordered from abroad but yet to arrive. It is insulting that we have to be lobbying to get official cars which will be paid for from our entitlements.

    “We believe that something was fundamentally wrong with the award of the contract for the cars by the House Services Committee.

    “There was no communication on what has really happened. Unfortunately, the leadership has been tolerating the House Services Committee.”

    A member from the North-West said: “It has not been funny because we get our salaries and allowances late.

    “We protested to let the Speaker know that we are suffering in silence. If the Speaker had not handled it with maturity, we would have changed all the principal officers.

    “ Of what use is backing President Buhari without meaningful projects in our constituency?

    “Many of us preferred the Senate antagonistic method because it is working for that chamber. This was why we took on Dogara since the beginning of the week.”

    But a principal officer said: “When Dogara opened up at the session, it was realized by members that he has not been pocketed by the presidency. His leadership style is that of consultation and not confrontation. He thinks service delivery to Nigerians should be the priority of lawmakers and not feud with the Executive.

    “The same Speaker said he had engaged the Acting President on Fashola matter and Prof. Osinbajo directed the Minister to go and apologize. He obeyed the directive on Friday.

    “In the last few months, the Speaker has been to the Villa to iron out issues amicably between the two arms of government.”

    On the welfare of members, the principal officer said: “I think it has to do more with the failure of the House Services Committee than the problem with the Speaker. He was shocked to hear some of the complaints.”

    Findings confirmed that following assurances from the Speaker, members jettisoned plans to “team up with the Senate” against the Executive.

    “Dogara has sued for calm; we are giving him benefit of the doubt. He is a good listener but we need action.”

    A member from the North-East said: “We have heard from Dogara and his team.We are awaiting action on their pledges to address our complaints. We love the Speaker, we have temporarily sheathed the swords.

    “We have all collectively resolved not to join the Senate to fight the Executive because some of the issues are really too personal. Some have to do with sheer politics and ambition. We won’t be part of it.

    “But the House leadership has suffered a jolt, the situation might never be the same henceforth. We love Dogara but we cannot sacrifice the interest of our constituents.”

  • Alteration of 1999 Constitution will enhance governance -Dogara

    Alteration of 1999 Constitution will enhance governance -Dogara

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, said on Thursday that the alteration of the 1999 Constitution would promote good governance in the country.

    The lower chamber has so far approved 14 out of 33 bills before it on the constitution amendment process based on the report of the joint committee of the National Assembly.

    The Senate carried out a similar process on Wednesday.

    Prominent among the bills adopted by the Senate are the bills on Financial Autonomy for State Houses of Assembly, independent candidature, separation of the office of the Accountant General of the Federal Government from Office of Accountant General of the Federation.

    Others are Admittance of former heads of the National Assembly in the Council of State, devolution of powers, strengthening of local government administration and provision of immunity for lawmakers on spoken or written words during plenary.

    Also amended were authorisation of expenditure, distributable pool account and Change of Name of Nigeria Police Force to Nigerian Police.

    Also amended were provisions for grounds for de-registration of political parties, timely passage of bills, timeframe for submission of list of ministerial or commissioner nominees and restriction of tenure for presidents and governors.

    Bills rejected by the Senate included those on state creation and boundary adjustments, appointment of minister from the FCT and change of names of some local government areas.

    NAN

  • Nigerians spend $5b anually fueling generators, says Dogara

    Nigerians spend $5b anually fueling generators, says Dogara

    •Fashola backs Renewable Energy Fund

    House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara has decried the power situation in the country despite the government’s huge investment over the years.

    According to him, it was the pathetic power situation that has forced Nigerians into committing $5b annually running generating sets.

    Describing the situation as unacceptable, the Speaker pledged the resolve of the House to work with the Executive towards finding a permanent solution to the power generation and distribution challenges

    He said the House would review some of Nigeria’s energy laws in order to provide an appropriate legal framework that will facilitate the exploitation of renewable energy to the benefit of the economy.

    Dogara spoke during a public hearing on three power sector reform Bills. He said: “Power is arguably the single most important driver of the national economy. Our industries and factories need electricity to run; and so do our offices, homes and businesses.

    “It is estimated that Nigerians spend about $5 billion yearly to fuel their generators. This is an unacceptable situation and the House of Representatives stands ready to support the Executive arm of government to put a stop to this state of affairs.

    “We can only be self-sufficient in the energy field when we combine all of our energy resources such as wind, solar, hydro, biomass, bio-fuel, landfill, sewage gas, solid waste, geothermal energy, ocean energy etc”.

    Minister of Power, Works and Housing Babatunde Fashola aligned with the proposed establishment of Renewable Energy Fund in Nigeria, saying there is a need for holistic review of the legislative frameworks governing the power industry.

    Represented by Louis Edozien, Permanent Secretary of Federal Ministry Power, the Minister however submitted that the fund be used as equity participation in renewable energy projects, and should exclude the Commission as a player, which regulates the sector.

    He also proposed that the fund should be managed by the NERC in addition to allowing the Commission to determine the remuneration of its staff as a technical and institutional monitor of the power value chain.

    “There is no doubt that establishment of a dedicated fund to renewable energy us a sound and pragmatic policy. It is however important, in our view, to critically review the provisions relating to the operation of the Fund as provided in the bill,” Fashola said.

    On the amendment of the 12 years old Power Sector Act, Fashola said the Act was able to trigger transformation of the Nigerian power sector from a State monopoly to competitive electricity market.

    “What is needed to ensure that the Act continues to provide an enabling legal framework for the power sector is holistic review.

    “This is a review that will take into consideration the effectiveness, or otherwise of extant provisions in the light of our experience in the last one decade.

    “Any amendment of the Act at this stage ought to take into consideration lessons learnt and challengers encountered in the course of implementing the provisions of the Act.

    “The amendment is also expected to address some fundamental issues that are militating against the power value-chain.

    “It is also important that the provisions that will be introduced will assist to strenghtem the framework for power sector reform.

    “For all the foregoing reasons and in order to ensure that maximum traction is gained from an amendment of the EPSRA, it is our humble position that we use the opportunity of this present bill to consider an exhaustive review of the bill”.

    In its presentation, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) noted that the Commission is duty bound to publish its audited account, in two national dailies without the mandate of the Minister.

    While the Commission opposed the establishment of another agency, it  proposed upward review of penalty from N20,000 to N500,000 for failing to publish the audited accounts.

    The Commission also stated that cooperation of State governments was required in its investigation of the recurring accident in the power sector as a preventive measure.

     

  • Dogara: Nigeria loses N7tr to insecurity in high seas yearly

    Dogara: Nigeria loses N7tr to insecurity in high seas yearly

    House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara yesterday said Nigeria lost about N7 trillion annually to insecurity and revenue leakages in the waterways.

    Dogara spoke at a public hearing on a Bill to amend the Maritime Operations Coordinating Board Act organised by the House of Representatives.

    The bill seeks to ensure the repositioning of the board for effective control of maritime operations in Nigeria’s territorial waters and create the Maritime Security Fund.

    Dogara insisted that security in Nigeria’s territorial waters must be strengthened and urged the Navy and other relevant agencies to ensure greater collaboration to stem the tide of piracy and other coastal attacks.

    He assured Nigerians that the House would embark on holistic review of extant maritime legislations with a view to halting the loss in the sector.

    The Speaker said: “It is even more disturbing to note that Nigeria is said to be losing about N7 trillion annually in the maritime sector due to leakages in revenue generation and insecurity in the water ways.

    “Between January and March, 2016, several attacks were reported off Nigeria’s coast. This was said to involve pirates stealing cargoes of crude oil and petroleum products.

    “Reports had it that no fewer than 44 ship crew members were abducted and in the first half of 2017, over 20 commercial vessels were attacked in Nigerian waters.

    “The increasing level of attacks and violence in the Gulf of Guinea has given Nigeria and other countries in the sub-region very damaging and negative image.

    “This is in addition to an estimated monthly loss of $1.5 billion to the country.

    “As I said recently, prevalence of insecurity in our waters resulted in the loss of $1.3 billion annually to illegal unregulated fishing in West Africa alone.

    “The only way to promote intra-African trade in our water ways is to ensure safety and security of navigation in our waters.

    “Our water ways and even the Gulf of Guinea have been witnessing increasing level of piracy and kidnapping of expatriates and Nigerians alike,’’ he said.

    He assured that bills that would address insecurity in the sector, especially piracy, would receive urgent passage in the House to restore order to the marine sector.

    Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas confirmed the recovery of over N420 billion stolen oil fund in 2016.

    Ibas said that the recovery was aside from stolen oil worth N6. 7 billion destroyed in various illegal refineries between January and June.

    He cited the report of study conducted by Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) data, saying estimated oil production in Nigeria plummeted by more than 25 per cent in 2009, as a result of piracy and sea robbery.

    He, however, reiterated Navy’s commitment toward combating criminality ranging from vandalism, kidnapping, environmental pollution, maritime terrorism, illegal bunkering and poaching.

    Other anti-economic growth vices, the naval chief said, included smuggling, proliferation of arms, waste dumping and oil pollution.

    He noted that such colossal loss to piracy and sea robbery was avoidable, but added that intense efforts were being made to drastically reduce the menace over the past 18 months.

    Ibas said “according to the Oil Producers Trading Section (OPTS) report, annual crude oil loss due to COT for 2014 amounted to about 36,162 barrels per day’’.

    He, however, said that the intervention of the Nigerian Navy had led to increase in national crude oil production from less than a million barrels per day in early 2016 to over two million barrels per day in April, 2017.

    Chairman, House Committee on Navy, Rep. Abdussamad Dasuki, lamented that while incidents of sea piracy had reduced in other territorial waters due to effective coordination, “it is increasing in Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea.

    “This is apparently disturbing given repeated warnings by the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) that attacks by sea-borne bandits off the West African coast are on the rise in Nigeria.

    “To compound the problem, the United Nations Security Council reported that Nigeria was losing about 1.5 billion dollars monthly due to piracy and other activities,’’ Dasuki said.