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Tag: Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

  • ECOWAS inaugurates EU-funded programme on migration

    ECOWAS inaugurates EU-funded programme on migration

    The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission has Thursday  inaugurated the second phase of the European Union (EU) funded project “Support to Free Movement of Persons and Migration in West Africa (FMM II)” .

    The project is part of the efforts towards consolidating movement of citizens of West Africa, which aimed at advancing economic growth.

    Vice-President of the ECOWAS Commission, Mrs Damtien Tchintchibidja reiterated the commitment of economic blog to ensure free movement and encourage commerce and economic development in the sub region at the inauguration of the FMM II.8

    The event was organised by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), in partnership with the International Labour Organisation (ILO), International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) and the ECOWAS Commission.

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    The vice-president explained that the FMM is designed to promote the free protocol and movement of persons, goods and services, as vision of ECOWAS for regional integration.

    According to her, the initiative would demonstrate renewed commitment to ensure migration governance and regional mobility serve as pillars of development within the sub-region.

    Tchintchibidja that: “During the first phase of the project, we made significant progress in enhancing migration governance, strengthening boarder management and operational license to drive the free protocols.

    “We reinforced migration governance, harmonised policies, strengthened border management systems, facilitation of labour mobility and supporting member states in aligning national policies with ECOWAS migration instruments.

    “These achievements played key roles in enhancing regional security and economic mobility within our region, however, our work is far from over, benefits of migration must be fully harnessed.

    “This requires structured, coordinated approach both at national and regional levels; we are optimistic FMM II will serve as vehicle towards addressing new-migration challenges, while capitalising on emerging opportunities.

    “The FMM II will enhance mobility across borders in safe and orderly manner, through specific efforts to ascertain migration governance framework, enhance coordination mechanism, data driven policy making and integrated approaches.”

    She stressed the need for collaborative efforts to ensure that migration contribute positively to economic growth, stability and social-coercion in the ECOWAS region.

    Speaking at the event, the Head of Cooperation of the European Union (EU), Mr Massimo De Luka, said the five-year project aims to maximise development potential of free movement of persons and migration in West Africa.

    He noted that the project would be achieved through support of the effective implementation of the ECOWAS Free Movement of Persons Protocol and the ECOWAS Common Approach to Migration.

    He said: “The basis for cooperation and coordination on improving free movement of persons and migration in West Africa has been established.

    “The second phase will deepen the cooperation in enhancing migration governance and at the same time commit to regional integration.”

    Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Massandjé Toure-Litse commended the milestones achieved during the first phase to be in line with ECOWAS mission.

    Toure-Litse was represented by Mr Albert Siaw-Boateng, Director, Free Movement of Persons of ECOWAS Commission/Project Coordinator, West Africa Unique Identification for Regional Integration and Inclusion (WURI).

    Toure-Litse said, “This milestone reaffirms our collective commitment to regional integration, migration governance and sustainable development, which are core principles that underscores the ECOWAS mission.”

  • FATF: Probing compliance with anti-money laundering rules

    The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) team will this month conduct its annual Mutual Evaluation on Nigeria. The exercise allows it to assess Nigeria’s compliance with the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) rules. The team will be assessing banks’ and Bureaux de Change (BDC) operators’ compliance level, writes COLLINS NWEZE.

    The sorry state of public institutions in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is disturbing. In many public schools, students learn while sitting on the floor, hospitals lack basic drugs, while road networks are little better than death traps.

    These societal ills thrive where corruption and illicit financial flows are rampant and Africa has remained one of the biggest losers, with over $30.4 billion ferried out of the continent annually.

    To tackle Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs) in Nigeria, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) will, this month, conduct stringent country evaluation and monitoring process in Nigeria during which banks and Bureaux de Change (BDCs) will be visited and assessed.

    The FATF, the global standard-setter in the fight against money laundering and the financing of terrorism and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, conducts peer reviews of each member on an ongoing basis, providing an in-depth description and analysis of each country’s system for preventing criminal abuse of the financial system.

    The BDCs are conversant with the threats and dangers posed by Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (ML/TF) in Nigeria, Africa and globally, and are helping to tackle the menace.

    President, Association of Bureau De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON), Alhaji Aminu Gwadabe, said the group, in collaboration with regulatory agencies and key government parastatals, conducts series of trainings to ensure compliance by its members.

    With over $30.4billion ferried out of Africa annually, ABCON is intensifying its commitment to fighting money laundering and terrorist financing by ensuring that its members comply with regulations in doing their business. Gwadabe said the group is already equipping over 4,500 BDCs with the right technology and skills to tackle illicit financial flows within the country.

    He said the BDCs meet regularly with regulators, government agencies/officials and experts to analyse, monitor and identify strategies for effective implementation of Anti-Money Laundering/Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) measures.

    He said the BDCs would welcome the FATF Mutual Evaluation team to Nigeria, saying the FATF assessment was designed to evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of the laws, regulations and other measures required to ascertain the effectiveness of the AML/CFT regime.

    The Mutual Evaluation will equally provide information on the progress made by Nigeria in meeting its obligations towards the FATF Recommendations.

    ABCON has, over the years, established itself as a key player in the Bureaux de Change (BDC) industry, and has also made several commitments and sacrifices to ensure that the sector continues to thrive and its members follow global best practices in the retail of foreign exchange to end users.

    The Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) is at the centre of the fight against the menace and terrorist financing across the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

    According to the group, about $30.4 billion is illegally transferred out of Africa yearly.  To stem the menace, GIABA is empowering key institutions to tackle illicit financial flows within the region.

    GIABA information Manager, Lagos Office, Timothy Melaye, said the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) requires countries to identify, asses and understand the Money Laundering/Terrorist Financing (ML/TF) risks to which they are exposed, take measures and mobilise resources to ensure that such risks are mitigated.

    “GIABA is a change agent. We build capacity, collaborate and sanction countries when they refuse to comply with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) 40 recommendations. We also promote the economies of member ECOWAS states,” he said.

    FATF Mutual Evaluation and BDCs’Preparations 

    Gwadabe disclosed that ahead of the FATF Team visit, the ABCON, in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), is organising a sensitisation workshop for over 4,500 licensed BDCs in Nigeria. The workshop will hold in the six geo-political zones.

    He said as the global body that sets standard for AML/CFT efforts, the FATF team will assess banks and other financial institutions’ compliance with the AML/CFT measures, saying like in other previous visits, the FATF team will carry out checks at the branches of selected banks and BDCs across the country, as well as the airports and land borders.

    Gwadabe said Nigeria, which has been in the forefront of mentoring other member states in the development of their AML/CFT systems, has largely addressed its action plan by enacting legislation to criminalise money laundering and terrorist financing. The country is also implementing procedures to identify and freeze terrorist assets and ensure that customer due diligence requirements apply to all financial instructions.

    BDCs’ Compliance/Digitisation of Operations

    Gwadabe said BDCs have met a number of compliance requirements specified by FATF and local regulators, saying they have conducted enhanced due diligence, a major compliance requirement on some high-risk customers. He said the collation and reporting of foreign currency transactions and suspicious transactions by BDCs are now fully automated.

    He saud ABCON had in February, launched its Live Run Automation Portal in Lagos, stating that the technology automates all BDC Operations with those of Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS), Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), enabling improved compliance of the BDCs with set regulations.

    The platform allows BDCs send their reports online real time, thereby removing the challenge of manual rendition of reports. The project has given a favourable rating in the perception index of BDCs in Nigeria especially in the eyes of international investors.

    Gwadabe said we are in the digital age, BDC operators under his leadership are committed to staying ahead of the competition by deploying time-tested technology to deliver effective services to customers and ensure compliance. He said the Live Run portal has enhanced BDCs compliance with set regulations and promoted market integrity, pointing out that the portal has sustained transparent transactions in the BDC corridor, boosted members morale  and ensured their continuous operations.

    Continuing Anti-Money Laundering War

    Gwadabe said public institutions in ECOWAS region have suffered immensely from the corruption going on in the public and private sectors, saying  ABCON is aware of the growing concerns over illicit financial flows (IFFs) from West African economies and the need to tackle them by key stakeholders within the region.

    He acknowledged the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA’s) 2016 – 2020 Strategic Plan, which showed that the Global Financial Integrity (GFI), the World Bank, the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Africa Progress Panel and the African Union’s High Level Panel on Illicit Financial Flows from Africa all paint a grim profile of the problem.

    A joint study conducted by the GFI and the AfDB showed that between 2000 and 2009, about $30.4 billion was illicitly transferred out of Africa each year. Over a longer period of 30 years, calculated from 1980, the resource drain was between $1.2 and $1.3 trillion. Outflows from West and Central Africa stood at (37 per cent), followed by North Africa (31 per cent) and Southern Africa (27 per cent). The IFFs are derived from various predicate offences of money laundering.

    Partnerships/Capacity Building for BDCs

    ABCON, severally, organised trainings for its members, and at other times, partnered NFIU and the EFCC to build capacity for operators.

    They have educated BDC operators on how they can help in tackling money laundering, terrorist financing and the benefits of keeping records of their transactions.

    The anti-money laundering training that ABCON organised with NFIU and EFCC in Lagos was meant to familiarise BDCs with the process of money laundering — the criminal business used to disguise the true origin and ownership of illegal cash — and the laws that make it a crime.

    Speaking during the sensitisation programme against money laundering and terrorism financing campaign at MM2, Lagos, which was attended by many BDC operators, the Acting Chairman, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, called for continuous sensitisation on issues around AML/CFT reporting to improve transparency in BDCs operations.

    He said the EFCC would continue to campaign for financial integrity and transparency in BDCs’ operations. Other stakeholders at the event also spoke on the use of BDCs for illicit political transactions, illegal border cash evacuation, reporting of suspicious transactions, fraud accounts transactions and cash dollar deposits on domiciliary accounts.

    The NFIU/EFCC/ABCON goal is to ensure that BDCs are not used to launder funds by Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs). Their target was also to upscale BDCs’ compliance with the AML/CFT for Banks and Other Financial Institutions in Nigeria, Regulations 2013.

    These capacity building workshops have helped BDCS to understand how to raise and submit both the Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs) and Currency Transaction Reports (CTRs) to regulators.

    Report Filling by BDCs

    ABCON has continued to ensure that BDCs file their reports as and  when due. They file reports on all transactions from N10 million for companies and N5 million for individuals. The reports are sent on weekly basis  to NFIU, CBN and EFCC.

    The BDCs also do customers Know Your Customer (KYC) and due diligence reports.

    Daily Transaction Returns (DTR) gives details of the total sales made for the day by the BDC and comes in as DTR 202, DTR 217, DTR 305 and DTR 315.

    The DTR 217 return gives the information of the customers of whom the forex was sold to. Information like, the name, the international Passport number, Bank Verification Number, address, TIN number, email address among others while DTR 305 provides details of the customers as well their destination and reason for the purchase of forex. The total amount of forex sold to them is also mentioned with the transaction date.

  • Terrorism, kidnapping threat to regional progress, says Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari has urged Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) member-countries to harmonise their security plans in order to contain and prevent the spate of crime and criminality within the region.

    The President blamed the increasing spate of the criminality in the region to porous borders and closeness to the Sahel.

    He regretted that the crime rate was consuming lots of the region’s resources.

    President Buhari, who was represented by the Minister of Interior, Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (retd.) at the 16th Annual General Assembly meeting of West African Police Chief Committee (WAPCCO), noted that transnational crime is a threat to regional peace and hindrance to progress and integration.

    He said: “The meeting has come at a time when a lot of synergy between and among ECOWAS member-states is needed in the fight against crime and criminality in the West African sub-region.

    “The challenges of insecurity posed by corruption, terrorism, communal clashes, herders-farmers conflict, trafficking in drugs, arms and humans, kidnapping for ransom, armed banditry, proliferation of arms and light weapons, money laundering and other transnational organised crimes are some of the vices threatening the regional peace, progress, integration and development.

    “The porosity of our territorial borders and proximity to the Sahel also makes us vulnerable to all sorts of illegal criminal activities and other threats to peace and security in the sub-region.

    “The activities of the Boko Haram terrorists affecting Nigeria and the Lake Chad basin countries, such as Chad, Cameroon and Central Africa, have created new humanitarian problems with the displacement of people from their communities, posing serious security threats to the region.

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    “It is imperative for member-states to coordinate their security plans and activities to enable law enforcement and other security agencies contain and even prevent these vices.”

    On efforts to tackle crime across the country, President Buhari said: “Nigeria in the last four years has taken drastic measures and spared no effort in its dissolve to fight corruption and its quest to defeat Boko Haram.

    “We have led vigorous military campaigns against the terrorists by reorganising the multinational joint task force which has dislodged them. Working with our regional and international ally, we have denied them safe haven within and around the sub-region.

    “We have also strengthened legislation against terrorism and corruption while equipping the anti-graft agencies in the country to be able to carry out their mandates.

    “These measures have yielded more dividends in reducing financial crimes and acts of terrorism in some cases, curbing the rate by which they occur.

    “The fight against crime and criminality is vast and resource-consuming transcending national, regional and global levels.”

    ECOWAS Commission’s President Jean-Claude Kassi Brou said corruption, bad governance, poverty, unemployment make insecurity to thrive.

    Brou, who was represented by Gen. Francis Behanzin, described terrorism in the region as the most fatal scourge.

     

     

  • Legislative crises in Guinea Bissau will soon be over- ECOWAS

    An agreeable solution seems to be on the way in Guinea Bissau, as parties involved in the legislative crisis have pledged to embrace peace.

    Guinea Bissau has been embroiled in political crisis after the legislative election on March 10, 2019 over power sharing between the ruling party and the opposition political parties.

    But with the intervention of the leadership of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) normalcy seems not to be far.

    President Muhammadu Buhari, who is the Chairman of the regional body, had waded into the crisis, sending a Special Envoy, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, the Minister of Foreign Affairs to interface with the parties involved in the crisis with a view to finding amicable resolution to the crisis.

    Onyeama met with the parties on Wednesday where he was able to secure their commitment to peace.

    The minister, who is also the Chairman, ECOWAS Council of Ministers, led the ECOWAS peace delegation.

    He expressed optimism that with the commitments made by all the parties, the issues will be resolved soon.

    “President Muhammadu Buhari directed us to come here and nip this in the bud – sort this out very quickly.

    “We have had excellent discussions with all the main protagonists, the President, the Prime Minister and the leaders of all the political parties.

    “We are very happy with the way it went, and commitments that were made and we believe that if those commitments are respected and kept this problem will be over in a matter of a week or two.”

    The delegation met with the President of Guinea Bissau, Jose Mario Vaz, the Prime Minister Aristides Gomez, President of the National Assembly, Cipriano Cassama and various parliamentary groups in the country’s National Assembly.

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    A communiqué was reached at the end of the meeting which was read by the President of ECOWAS Commission, Jean –Claude Kassi Brou, who is also a member of the delegation.

    Brou urged all political actors to avoid extremist’s positions and to focus on the interest of the country.

    According to the communiqué, they must find solutions in a very open and constructive dialogue.

    “The delegation insisted that the various parliamentary groups in the National Assembly must finalise very urgently the bureau of the parliament taking into account the vote of the people of Guinea Bissau.

    “The delegation also encouraged the installation of the new government following the nomination of a new Prime Minister in order to deal with the urgent matter of economic and social issues.’’

    The communiqué reiterated ECOWAS commitment to help Guinea Bissau to pursue its reforms.

    ECOWAS also pledged its support to the government that will be formed in Guinea Bissau to ensure that the country achieves the desired peace and development.

    Other members of the peace delegation led by Mr. Onyeama are Naby Kiridi Bangoura, Minister of State and Secretary General of the Presidency in Guinea Conakry, representing Alpha Conde , President of Guinea Conakry who is also the Chairman, ECOWAS Mediation Committee on Guinea Bissau.

  • Sida, FAO, ECOWAS partner to protect West Africa’s forests

    The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have joined forces to protect West Africa’s forests and help safeguard the livelihoods of millions of people who depend on them.

    A  statement from FAO said the e three institutions will carry out a five-year project aimed at strengthening sustainable forest and land management, addressing transboundary forest threats, maximising the livelihoods of forest-depended communities, and building climate resilience across 15 countries in West Africa. The project – to be implemented by ECOWAS with financial support of over $8 million from Sida and technical support from FAO – will improve knowledge of forests dynamics, support legal reform, establish and share best community-based forest practices across the region. It will be key to the rolling out of the ECOWAS-led Convergence Plan for the Sustainable Management and Use of Forest Ecosystems in West Africa adopted in 2013 by ECOWAS to mobilize political, institutional, financial and technical support to address transboundary forest issues across ECOWAS’s 15 member states.

    Read Also: ECOWAS Bank to raise 25b francs in Q1

    “We are very pleased to be partners with ECOWAS and FAO on transboundary forest management in West Africa. It is a very important project for the people and governments of the region, but also for the global efforts to stop climate change and loss of biodiversity,” said Sida’s Head of Regional Development Cooperation in Sub-Saharan Africa, Ulla Andrén.

     

  • Nigeria contributes $710m to ECOWAS, more than 13 countries

    Nigeria has contributed more money to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) than 13 other Members states put together in the last 12 years, statistics have shown.

    Statistics on payment of the Community Levy obtained by our correspondent showed that between 2003 and 2015, Nigeria paid $710, 497,352, equivalent to 480, 355,205 West Africa Units of Account (UA).

    The West Africa UA is the official nominal monetary unit of measure or currency used to represent the real value.

    The document was presented by the ECOWAS Commission as part of the Status of the Community report during an Extra Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament.

    In the same period, 13 other countries contributed a cumulative amount of 697. 947 million dollars.

    The countries are Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Gambia, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Senegal Sierra Leone and Togo.

    Out of the 13 countries mentioned, Guinea Bissau contributed the least amount of 3. 107 million dollars followed by The Gambia with 11. 171 million dollars and Cabo Verde with 12.879 million dollars.

    Within the period, Sierra Leone contributed 19. 632 million; Liberia 29. 988 million dollars,; Guinea 31. 101 million; Niger 37. 788 million ,; Togo $48. 961 and Cote d’Ivoire $54. 173 million.

    Benin Republic contributed a total of $76. 147 million; Mali paid $93. 538 million; Burkina Faso with $105. 278 million; while Senegal paid $174. 177 million.

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    The highest paying country after Nigeria is Ghana which paid $327. 976 million within the same period.

    According to the statistics, a total of $1. 736 billion was contributed within the period by all 15 member states, with Nigeria paying 40.9 per cent of the amount.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the budget for each financial year is met by the member states through their contributions to the Community Levy, a 0.5 per cent tax imposed on goods from non-ECOWAS countries.

    The national customs administrations of member states are responsible for “assessment and collection” of the levy and daily record “accounts of amounts received”.

    However, the contributions by Nigeria is not equivalent to the weight it pulls in the sub-regional body, especially in the Parliament.

    For instance, out of the 35 seats allocated to Nigeria in the Parliament, many of the representatives are usually absent during plenary.

    At the plenary in May 2018, only four members out of 35 were present on the day Nigeria presented its Country Report.

    Also, during its recent ongoing Second Ordinary Session, less than 10 were present for the aforementioned presentation.

    The absenteeism by Nigerians also got the attention the Bureau of Parliament and other members who expressed displeasure at the attitude of the Nigerians.

    Some representatives from Nigeria also admitted that the attitude had become worrisome and needed to be addressed.

    Hon. Shehu Garba who briefed newsmen after the presentation by Nigeria at the on-going session, said that it was time the leadership of the delegation intervened and deployed people who had time for parliament’s activities.

  • Dasuki asks court to excuse him from prosecution

    Former National Security Adviser (NSA), Mohammed Dasuki has asked a Federal High Court to stop his prosecution on the grounds that the Federal Government has allegedly failed to obey orders made for his release on bail.

    Dasuki’s request is contained in his personal letter, dated November 12, 2018 which he addressed to the Registrar of Court 5.

    He is standing trial before the court on charges of money laundering and illegal arms possession. The charges were brought against him by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).

    The letter, titled: “Re: Unabated persecution of Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki (rtd) by the Federal Government of Nigeria,” was signed by the ex-NSA.

    Dasuki, in the letter gave a brief profile of himself and detailed what he described as constituting his persecution by the Federal Government and its agency, the Department of State Services (DSS).

    He referred to five different orders for his release made, both by Nigerian courts and the Community Court of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which he said the Nigerian government has failed to obey.

    Dasuki said: “The restive to continue detaining me, against the several orders of court and in brazen violation of the Constitution, is wrongful and arbitrary. It has inflicted physical, emotional and psychological torture on my family and me.

    “The decision of the Federal Government of Nigeria is not only high-handed, it is also arbitrary and in violation of both domestic and international laws on human rights.

    “At this juncture, it will seem that the Nigerian Government is not inclined to yield or obey the orders of any court of law, whether domestic or international.

    “Ironically, the Federal Government still wants to ride on judicial wings to prosecute me. when it does not comply with the orders that proceed from the court, especially in relations to me.

    “At this point, I strongly believe that there must be an end to this hypocrisy and lopsided / partisan rule of law.

    “Since the Federal Government has resolved not to comply with judicial orders directing my release, it is better for the court to also absolve me of the need to submit myself for further prosecution.

    “Justice should be evenly dispensed, as opposed to same, being, in favour of the Federal Government of Nigeria.”

    When the case came up on Tuesday before Justice Ahmed Mohammed, Dasuki was absent in court.

    His lawyer, Victor Okwudiri drew the court’s attention to the letter by his client.

    Okwudiri said: “We were not aware of the letter until this morning when we got to court.

    “But what I could get from the letter when I rushed through it this morning, is that he is complaining about his plight in the custody of the DSS,” Okwudiri said.

    Responding, prosecuting lawyer, Dipo Okpeseyi (SAN) said Dasuki informed DSS operatives, who are keeping him that he would not come to court since he had sent a letter to the court.

    Okpeseyi added that although Dasuki could be compelled to attend court, the DSS operatives chose not to take such action to accord him some respect due to his status as a former NSA.

    The prosecuting lawyer argued that Dasuki’s decision not to attend court, but instead, chose to send a letter to the court, amounted to an affront to the court.

    He noted that Dasuki also failed to attend court on January 17 and April 10 this year.

    Relying on the provision of Section 352(4) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, Okpeseyi urged the court to proceed with trial in Dasuki’s absence by directing the prosecution to call its witness, an application, Okwudiri objected to.

    Ruling, Justice Mohammed noted that he had, in a ruling on April 10 this year, directed the prosecution to file an affidavit stating the facts whenever the defendant, on his own decided not to appear in court.

    The judge said the affidavit must be filed convince him that the defendant willfully stayed away from court.

    Justice Mohammed noted that since the prosecution has failed to file an affidavit to also reflect the defendant’s absence on Tuesday, he would adjourn to a later date for the prosecution to comply.

    He adjourned to November 19.

  • Zamfara: Nothing has changed, says INEC boss

    ..says no extension for submission of candidates list

    The possibility of the All Progressive Congress (APC) fielding candidates in the forthcoming 2019 general elections in Zamfara state may have been sealed.

    The Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu on Monday said nothing has changed on the issue.

    INEC had barred the Zamfara State chapter of the APC from fielding candidates to contest in the 2019 general elections after failing to conduct primary elections.

    The commission had set October 7, 2018 deadline for parties to conclude their primary elections to elect candidates, but divisions within the state chapter of the APC prevented an INEC-supervised election from taking place for the governorship and legislative positions.

    Consequently, in a letter signed by INEC’s acting secretary, Okechukwu Ndeche, and addressed to APC’s national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, the party can no longer conduct any primary elections outside of the originally-stated window and will not be allowed to participate in the governorship, National Assembly and State Assembly elections in Zamfara next year.

    But the party would not want to hear any of this, vowing to participate in the election.

    INEC boss however stuck to his gun, saying that the commission stands by its earlier statement on the issue.

    Yakubu spoke Monday in Abuja at the end of the opening of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Network of Electoral Commission (ECONEC) meeting in Abuja.

    The INEC boss who was responding to questions from newsmen said the commission stands by its earlier statement.

    He said, “We have issued a statement on Zamfara and nothing has changed. We stand by the statement that we issued.”

    He also revealed that the October 18th date for the submission of list of candidates by all the political parties. There are 91 but only 89 notify the commission of their intension to conduct primaries.

    On the submission date for list of candidates for the general elections, Yakubu said, ” I am sure we have made some progress, but the deadline as we say is on October 18.”

    He ruled out any possibility of extension as he declared, “we will give a full report after the 18th October. No extension.”

    On Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), Yakubu said that INEC has printing the PVCs of all those who registered in the second and third quarters of 2018.

    He also revealed that the PVCs for those who registered in the first quarter of 2018 have been printed.

    He said: ” We have printed the PVCs for those who registered in the first quarters of 2018. We are right now simultaneously printing for those who registered in the second and third quarters.

    ” We are looking at the end of November 2018 for all the PVCs to be printed including request for transfer and relocation.”

    He also reiterated the commission’s assurance to ensure that all the outstanding PVCs are ready for collection before the 2019 general elections.

    In his earlier remark at the opening of the ECONEC meeting, Yakubu said that two day meeting which kicked off yesterday is expected to validate the study carried out on the issue of cost of conducting elections.

    Read Also: Zamfara: APC kicks as INEC bars candidates

    The body has been disturbed by the ever rising cost of conducting elections and handling of pre and post election litigation. It was this concern that gave rise to the setting up of a study group among member countries.

    He added that the study is part of ECONEC’s two-year Work Plan (2016-2018). 

    The objective he said is for Election Management Bodies (EMBs) within the region to share experience, expertise and even pool resources not only with a view to ensuring best practice through peer review but also in order to reduce the cost of conducting elections among our member States.

    “It is borne out of the serious concern by all Electoral Commissions in the sub-region about the spiraling cost of conducting elections. With every cycle, the cost of elections keeps rising, making many countries unable fund critical aspects of the electoral process as a sovereign responsibility.”

    He also added that the “ ever rising cost of voter registration and the compilation of a credible voters’ register, recruitment and training of electoral officials, provision of electoral logistics, election security, civic and voter education, procurement of sensitive and non-sensitive materials, deployment of electoral technology, undertaking regular engagement with stakeholders and handling of pre-election and post-election litigations are enormous. The task of meeting such extensive expenditure has increasingly challenged the national resources of many countries in our region. It is against this background that Governing Board of ECONEC inaugurated this study to explore what we can do as Election Managers, working together with national stakeholders and development partners, to find ways to reduce the cost of elections without jettisoning new innovations or compromising the quality, transparency and credibility of elections. “

  • Navy inaugurates 16 new boats

    …Deploys platforms to Niger Delta, West African patrol

     

    The Nigerian Navy (NN) on Monday added 16 new boats, including two  110 MKII Fast Patrol Crafts (FPC), NNS NGURU and NNS EKULU to its fleet.

    Also inducted were four 72MKII Inshore Patrol Craft (IPC)- NNS GONGOLA, NNS OSE, NNS CALABAR, and NNS SHIRORO- and 10 Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats.

    These boats, the navy said, would be deployed to protect critical oil installations in the Niger Delta as well as for joint operations, patrols of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Maritime Zone E.

    The Nation reports that the two 110 MKII FPC, NNS NGURU and NNS EKULU are named after towns in Yobe and Rivers States, and manned by Commanders Emmanuel Fingesi and Andrew Zidon respectively.

    Built by the Ocea crew in France, the River Town Class FPCs have an overall length of 35m, with a water line length of 29.80m; overall beam of 7.10m, maximum draft of 1.80m and midship moulded depth of 3.50m. Their operation profile include a cruising speed of 12knots, maximum speed of 35knots and crew of 36 including nine commissioned officers.

    The latest additions had increased the navy’s platforms acquisition in the last two years to over 200, said the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas.

    Noting that the NN has the challenging task of safeguarding the country’s maritime interests, Ibas said the service, in keeping with the realities, conduct frequent re-invention.

    He said: “The acquisition of the six new OCEA FPC and 10 Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIBS) will narrow the capability gaps in enhancing security of the nation’s maritime expanse.

    “Their commissioning and induction respectively into service is therefore another operational milestone for the NN as they will complement existing Maritime Domain Awareness Capability in the face of its inherent need for a potent interdiction capability.

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    “I must however be quick to observe that, despite this commendable stride, we have barely scratched the outstanding deficit in the NN fleet. Capacity building therefore is a running priority of the NN. The NN continues to apply its double pronged approach of platform sourcing from both foreign shipyards and local manufacturing.

    “Domestically, local boat building associates like messrs Epenal Boat Builders and John Holt Plc which have accounted for the delivery of over 200 boats in the past, continue to be patronised. The NN dockyard remains productively engaged as it is on course for the delivery of a third straight Seaward Defence Boat (SDB), now a 42 meter boat.

    “Internationally, the construction of the 20 additional RHIBS with Messrs Suncraft has reached an advanced stage, with the recent second milestone inspection reporting their possible delivery on schedule and within the next few months.

    “Furthermore, efforts are ongoing towards acquiring more fast patrol vessels for littoral waters up to the EEZ, while the construction of a hydrographic vessel and landing ship would further reinforce the NN’s regional maritime dominance.

    “They will help to make life more difficult for the criminals in our maritime space. Their coming is also deemed quite timely as it would widen the nation’s options to make a robust contribution to multinational collaboration of countries of ECOWAS ‘ Multinational Maritime Coordination Zone E, comprising Nigeria, Republic of Benin, Togo and Niger.

    Only last week, these countries signed to a combined operation platform to suppress piracy, hijacking and hostage taking, including IUUF and other abuses of our waters. These boats and others could find for themselves, critical roles in this regard.”

    Also at the event were Defence Minister Mansur Dan-Ali, Minister for Niger Delta Affairs, Usani Usani, Inspector General of Police (IG) Ibrahim Idris, Chairman, Senate Committee on Navy, Sen. Isa Misau, Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on the Navy, Abdulsamad Dasuki, Director General, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Hadiza Bala-Usman, heads of military, paramilitary institutions in Lagos as well as captains of industries.

    Inaugurating the platforms, Dan-Ali said the nation was challenged by multi-faceted threats from both continental and maritime fronts with grave manifestations and increasing threats to maritime security.

    He said crimes such as piracy, sea robbery and attack on strategic oil installations have complicated the nation’s maritime security environment and threatened with dire consequences, the overall wellbeing of the nation.

    “For a littoral state with huge dependence on her offshore resources, maritime security is vital to the nation’s well-being. Against this background of threats the entire nation would invariably be at risky situation if we do not insist on a motivated and virile navy like ours.

    “The induction of the platforms is in line with the current administration’s promise to keep our nation safe. This commissioning ceremony is yet another demonstration of this administration’s resolve of protecting the nation’s maritime domain through the provision of appropriate military platforms and operating equipment.

    “Additionally, it is crucial that we make progress in the provision of peace and order in our maritime domain. The dependence of the nation’s economy on offshore resources as well as the enormous potentials of the maritime sector to contribute to national food security and employment generation makes this highly imperative.

    “The procurement of these vessels by the Ministry of Defence again demonstrates this administration’s unwavering commitment and willingness towards strengthening the Navy through provision of modern operating equipment and infrastructure,” said Dan-Ali.

  • Why Buhari must sign Electoral Bill now, says Falana

    Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to “urgently” sign the 2018 Electoral Act Amendment Bill into law.

    Falana said if the president signs the bill now, whatever modifications the bill seeks to make to Nigeria’s election sequence, would not affect the 2019 elections.

    This, according to him, is because an Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Protocol, to which the country is a signatory, bars Nigeria from modifying electoral laws six months to elections unless certain conditions are met.

    Early this year, President vetoed the bill passed by both chambers of the National Assembly on the grounds that it contained certain provisions which were inconsistent with the 1999 Constitution.

    The lawmakers then expunged the said provisions and passed a new bill, which has been transmitted to the President for assent.

    Falana said he was compelled to call on the President to sign the bill into law in view of the fact that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that the 2019 elections will commence in February 2019.

    He said: “In making this call, the attention of the President ought to be drawn to Article 2(1) of the Economic Community of West African States Protocol A/SP1/12/01 on Democracy and Good Governance which provides that:

    ‘No substantial modification shall be made to the Electoral Laws in the last six (6) months before the elections, except with the consent of majority of political actors.’

    Falana noted that the ECOWAS Court had ruled that all the member states of the ECOWAS are bound by the provisions of the Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance.

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    He added: “Since the modification made to the 2010 Electoral Act is substantial, the Bill cannot be passed in less than six months to the 2019 General Election.

    “Since Nigeria is legally obliged to comply with the said Protocol, President Buhari, who is the current Chairman of the ECOWAS, should ensure that the Electoral Bill 2018 is assented to without any further delay.”