The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Fed Govt

  • Dasuki: Fed Govt seeks court’s understanding

    Dasuki: Fed Govt seeks court’s understanding

    •AGF, Solicitor General pray for time

    THE Federal Government yesterday sought the understanding of the Federal High Court, Abuja in its handling of the case involving former National Security Adviser (NSA) Col. Mohammed Dasuki (rtd).

    The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami (SAN) and Solicitor General of the Federation Taiwo Abidogun asked the court for more time to familiarise themselves with the case.

    Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court, Abuja had last Friday invited the AGF to appear before his court yesterday in relation to the controversy surrounding the Dasuki case.

    The judge’s invitation to the AGF was informed by complaint by Dasuki’s lawyer, Joseph Daudu (SAN), that despite the order made by the court on November 3, allowing Dasuki to travel abroad, he was being prevented from embarking on the trip by security agents, who have allegedly laid siege to his Abuja home.

    Yesterday, Abidogun, who was accompanied to the court by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Muhammad Diri, told the court that he and the AGF were just appointed and were yet to be fully briefed about the activities of the Federal Ministry of Justice, particularly in relation to the Dasuki case.

    Abidogun sought for time to enable him and the AGF study the case and decide on the necessary steps to take.

    “I have sought the understanding of the other party, who has given its consent to my overture. We have tremendous respect for this court and your lordship. We are seeking an adjournment to enable us to be briefed properly,” the solicitor general said.

    He sought an adjournment for Monday next week on the ground that the AGF would formally resume duties in the ministry tomorrow.

    Daudu did not object to Abidogun’s application for adjournment.

    He only reminded the court that it’s November 3 order was yet to be executed owing, purportedly to the activities of operatives of the Department of State Service (DSS).

    Justice Ademola granted Abidogun’s request and adjourned further proceedings in the case to November 23.

    Dasuki is being tried before the court on a five-count charge of money laundering and illegal firearms possession.

    He was arraigned earlier this year on the charge, to which he pleaded not guilty. Before trial could commence, he applied to the court for permission to travel abroad on health ground, an application the court granted on November 3.

    Dasuki, in a fresh motion dated November 9, alleged that the state, acting through the DSS, has prevented him from travelling despite the court’s permission.

    But, in its counter-motion, the Federal Government denied frustrating Dasuki’s travel plans.

    The government explained that Dasuki’s refusal to honour an invitation sent to him on November 4 by the DSS, requesting him to clarify some issues relating to some fresh money laundering cases allegedly involving the ex-NSA, was responsible for why he was still unable to travel abroad.

     

     

  • Fed Govt warns against strike

    The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Clement Illoh, has cautioned on incessant strikes, which can truncate the attainment of national goals.

    He made this assertion in Abuja at the weekend, during the presentation of the report of the fact-finding committee into the industrial crisis that paralysed activities at the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, Imo State, for the substantial part of 2014 and 2015.

    Illoh stressed that if various actors in industrial disputes could embrace dialogue in resolving their differences, the developmental agenda of government would be realised.

    He added that management and union officials should see dialogue as an indispensable tool in the resolution of disputes.

    His words: “Resort to strikes and disruption of work processes remains inimical to the overall development of the country. More importantly, the case of Federal Medical Centre Owerri (FMCO) could jeopardize the lives of Nigerians who need the services of the Centre in order to stay alive’’.

    Illoh said the committee was set up in response to a letter from the Presidency by the three Joint-House Unions of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP), Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) and the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANMM).

    He noted that what led to the industrial action was the alleged introduction of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) by the Medical Director of the FMCO, Dr. Angela Uwakwem and allegations of gross financial misconduct and highhandedness against her.

    He said towards the resolution of the crisis, the Ministry of Labour and Productivity in performing its statutory conciliatory role, set up a fact-finding committee to resolve the crisis, adding that the committee made far-reaching recommendations that could end the industrial action.

    Illoh assured that the ministry would monitor the implementation of the recommendations as well as set up a tripartite monitoring committee to do same.

    The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Mr. Linus Awute, noted that the report of the fact-finding committee is the best thing that has happened to the health sector.

    His said: “We are going to do the needful to make sure that actions are taken based on the recommendations of the report believing that we are doing so in the best  interest of the nation.”

    Calling on care-givers to justify their salaries, he condemned the incessant strikes embarked upon by health workers, which described as detrimental to the nation.

    The chairman of the committee, Mr. Nyamali John Audu, appealed to the Federal Ministry of Health to start the implementation of the recommendations of the committee to avoid further disruption of activities at the Medical Centre, warning that unionism is not a licence to impunity.

    He noted that there are statutory provisions in extant labour law that guides the relationship between unions and management on how to manage and resolve industrial disputes.

    In a related event, Illoh called on all Nigerians, both in the public and private sectors, to support  Federal Government’s efforts at providing social security protection to the vulnerable groups

    The Permanent Secretary, who was represented by the Director of Special Duties, Mr. Felix Ogenyi, made this appeal in Abuja while declaring open a stakeholders’ meeting on ‘Addressing the Social Security Needs of the Informal Workers through Cooperative Delivery System’.

  • Fed Govt to build 150 housing units in Ondo

    As part of efforts in making houses avoidable for Nigerians, the Federal Government has commenced the construction of 150 units of two and three-bedroom flats in Akure, the Ondo State capital. The project, which is being handled by Meadville Building and Construction Company, is expected to be completed within the next three months.

    Speaking during the inauguration of the programme, the State Controller of the Federal Mortgage Bank, Mrs. Mojisola Gbadebo, advised interested members of the public to key into the National Housing Fund Scheme.

    Gbadebo said this would enable them to benefit in the acquisition of the buildings as soon as they are completed.

    She further explained that the project was being sponsored by the bank in collaboration with the Federal Housing Authority Homes under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Lands and Housing.

    According to her, a prospective buyer who must be a contributor to the housing fund stands the chance of accessing the loan from the bank with six per cent interest rate with 30 years repayment period.

    She noted that the amount to charge the contributor depends on his or her income and age, adding that loan is not exclusively for salary earners but all income earners from the age of 18 years.

  • Fed Govt asks court to dismiss Oduah’s suit

    Fed Govt asks court to dismiss Oduah’s suit

    THE prosecution has asked the Federal High Court in Lagos to dismiss a suit by Senator Stella Oduah.

    The Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) prayed the court to strike out a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by Senator Oduah, the former minister of Aviation.

    Justice Mohammed Yunusa on August 26 granted an interim injunction restraining anti-graft agencies from taking any action against her, pending the determination of her suit.

    It is over the 2013 purchase of two armoured BMW cars by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) under her watch.

    The case was later transfered to Justice Okon Abang after the court resumed from its vacation.

    Yesterday, a lawyer from the AGF, Mr. T.A. Gazali, said the prosecution filed a preliminary objection to Oduah’s suit.

    Oduah’s lawyer, Ajibola Oluyede (the same lawyer who represents Senator Buruji Kashamu), confirmed receiving the AGF’s preliminary objection, saying he had filed a reply.

    Justice Abang, however, said none of the processes was in the case file passed to him.

    The AGF is challenging the territorial jurisdiction of the Lagos division of the Federal High Court to hear the case on the grounds that the alleged rights violation did not take place in Lagos.

    Justice Abang adjourned till November 24.

  • Fed Govt approves $2.4b for Lagos red line

    Fed Govt approves $2.4b for Lagos red line

    The Federal Government has approved the construction of the $2.4 billion Lagos red line rail project.

    Commissioner for Transportation Dayo Mobereola said approving the right-of-way for the project had been a problem for years.

    He said the last Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)- led Federal Government foot-dragged in approving the right-of-way, which belonged to the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC).

    According to him, it took Lagos four and half years to get approval for the project and another four years for discussion on the technicality of the project.

    “It took us four and half years to get approval for the project. It took us another four years to get them to discuss the technicality of the project with us. The right-of-way has been approved and we are in full discussion with the bidders,” he said.

    On the Blue Line Light Rail project, the commissioner said the government would complete it by the end of next year.

    He said Lagos was the only state in the world to have embarked on such project without support from the Federal Government, adding that such projects normally take around seven years to complete.

    The commissioner said it took Dubai, with all its resources, seven years to complete its rail project and in some places, 22 years.

    “We are mindful of the problem of transportation in Lagos State. Towards the end of next year, something will happen. Our rail project is 27 km and we are doing it in phases. We are doing Mile 2 to CMS now and we will do Mile 2 to Okokomaiko later,” he said.

    Mobereola added that the first train was purchased this year and that government would bring it on board to test-run the rail system from Mile 2-CMS.

    He said his vision as commissioner was to make public transportation safe, reliable, accessible and comfortable.

    According to him, there was need to develop mass transit transport scheme for the benefit of the people.

    Speaking on the challenges of the State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA), Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation Olanrewaju Elegushi said inadequate personnel had been the problem of the outfit.

    He said the 2,300 officers of the authority were insufficient to control traffic.

    Elegushi said the outfit ran three shifts, adding that the government was working to boost the organisation’s workforce.

  • ‘Fed Govt should ensure monitoring capacity in TSA’

    A Consultant Criminologist Col Oladipo Coker (rtd), has urged the Federal Government to ensure that monitoring capacity is built so that the Treasury Single Account (TSA) scheme will be consistent and continuous.

    President Muhammadu Buhari had directed all Federal Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to close all accounts in commercial banks and start paying into a Treasury Single Account (TSA),

    Coker said to ensure the consistency of the TSA, everybody has to be on board and there will be need to make instructions in this regard so that where there is an infringement on the instructions, it is noticed and there must be a way to penalise.

    Coker, who spoke with our reporter in Lagos, said the scheme would promote proper accountability because the Federal Government would be able to control how money is coming in and going out of the treasury.

    He described the initiative as a good idea, saying it will give no room for illegal transfer of money and reduce mismanagement in the country.

    He noted that the TSA would help the country to reduce corruption if it is done in such a manner that ensures consistency.

    “This will also give room for accountability, and we will be able to track the entire accounting system in the country. All MDAs that generate money, government would be able to track it and make sure that they are paid into the Federation Account,” he said.

  • Fed Govt inhibits downstream growth- ex-PPPRA’s boss

    The Federal Government should be blamed for the abysmal performance recorded in the downstream sub-sector of the oil and gas industry not private operators, former Executive Secretary, Petroleum Product Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), Mr Reginald Stanley, has said.

    He said the actions of successive governments showed that they were not ready to formulate policies to accelerate the growth of the sector.

    He said the Federal Government did more damage to the downstream sector by not deregulating it.

    Stanley said the decision of the government to hold on to the regulation of the sub-sector was killing initiatives, adding that the development has stalled the development and implementation of ideas that would drive activities in  the sector.

    Stanley, while speaking during a stakeholder’s forum in Lagos, said it is either the government improve the growth of the downstream sub-sector by deregulating it, or allow it to suffer more problems.

    He said: “Angola, Ghana, India and other countries have deregulated the downstream segment of the petroleum industry, and they are better for it. Nigeria cannot be an exception if it really wants to move the capacity utilisation in the downstream above its current capacity of 25 per cent.

    He added: “We (as Nigerians) should be able to learn a lesson from Ghana that deregulated its downstream sub-sector, and has since then, been having it good in the area of production of petroleum products fuel, fixing of their prices, making the products available to consumers, among other issues.”

  • Fed Govt workers to get Oct pay today

    Fed Govt workers to get Oct pay today

    Federal Government workers yet to be paid will get their October salaries today, the Presidency said last night.

    The payment was delayed due to a technical issue that arose followingthe crash of key computers being used for salary payment.

    A statement by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, said “the delay was inadvertent, caused by unforeseen technical challenges.”

    The statement added that the President “is seriously concerned about the ordeals of civil servants on account of delayed payment of salaries.”

    It explained that the happiness and welfare of the people is one of the cardinal objectives of any democratically-elected government.

    Malam Garba Shehu also emphasised that President Muhammadu Buhari “is committed to these objectives not only on paper but also in practice”.

    He thanked Nigerians for their patience and understanding, adding: ”empathy would be the guiding philosophy of the Buhari administration”.

  • Fed Govt opposes Dasuki’s request for foreign trip

    Fed Govt opposes Dasuki’s request for foreign trip

    •DPP plans fresh money
    laundering charges against NSA

    THE Federal Government yesterday urged a Federal High Court in Abuja not to accede to the request by former National Security Adviser Sambo Dasuki for the release of his travel documents to enable him travel abroad.

    Dasuki, a retired colonel, is on trial for alleged money laundering and illegal arms possession.

    Director of Public Prosecutions Muhammad Diri told the court that granting Dasuki’s prayer was injurious to the prosecution, which is planning to bring additional money laundering charges against Dasuki.

    Diri opposed Dasuki’s application for the release of his passport to enable him travel to the United Kingdom on health grounds.

    “The defendant is also being investigated in respect of other offences of money laundering by the security department.

    “On this point, I refer your Lordship to paragraph 4 of our counter-affidavit showing that the defendant is also being investigated for other money laundering offences,” Diri said.

    Dasuki is on trial on a five-count of illegal possession of firearms and money laundering involving about N84.6 million.

    Dasuki’s lawyer Joseph Daudu (SAN) argued that the “speculative possibility that more charges will be filed against the defendant” could not be the basis for denying his client the opportunity to seek treatment abroad.

    “They (the prosecution) are saying that his travelling out may interfere with the proposed charges,” Daudu said.

    Daudu, while relying on sections 36(5) and 36(6) of the Constitution and Section 173(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, urged the court to consider the decision of the Court of Appeal in a similar application by former Delta State Governor James Ibori and grant his client’s application.

    He said the application was informed by the need for his client to keep an earlier appointment with a UK hospital, in view of his “deteriorating health conditions”.

    The lawyer contended that the prosecution’s claim that the treatment for which Dasuki was seeking permission to travel abroad was available in Nigeria could not sway the court to reject his application.

    “That is not the grounds, with greatest respect, for the court to refuse the application,” Daudu said.

    He said the prosecution’s view about the seizure of the defendant’s passport as being punitive was erroneous.

    Daudu prayed the court to grant his client’s request.

    He added that a defendant was presumed innocent and was still entitled to right to free movement until proved guilty.

    In his reply, Diri said Dasuki’s case was different from Ibori’s, which Daudu relied on.

    The DPP noted that in Ibori’s case, other conditions were attached to the bail granted the ex-governor, as against the case with Dasuki, where the confiscation of his travel documents by the court was the only bail condition.

    He contended that acceding to Dasuki’s request to travel abroad for three weeks would delay the trial, noting that the ailment for which Dasuki seeks foreign treatment could be handled at the National Hospital, Abuja.

    But neither Diri nor Daudu disclosed the ailment for which Dasuki seeks foreign treatment.

    Justice Adeniyi Ademola adjourned to today for ruling on the application.

    The judge may also deliver ruling on the prosecution’s application for the trial to be conducted outside the public view.

     

  • Fed Govt set to pay workers’ salary arrears, allowances

    Fed Govt set to pay workers’ salary arrears, allowances

    The Secretary-General , Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), Comrade Alade Bashir Lawal, has said the Federal Government is planning to pay workers salary arrears and allowances.

    In a statement issued on Monday, Comrade Lawal, who is also a member of the Presidency’s Panel on Bailout for Federal Public Servants, said the outstanding benefits owed thousands of public servants would be paid soon.

    He said the benefits included salary arrears, promotion arrears, first 28th days allowance on transfer from post, repatriation allowance and allowance for mandatory training organised by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) in 2010.

    He said the union had written series of letters to President Muhammadu Buhari as President-elect and since he assumed office on May 29, intimating him of the outstanding salaries and allowances.

    Following this, he said, the President on September 14, through the OHCSF ordered MDAs to compile names of affected officers within seven days.

    “Members of the Committee that worked on the salary arrears issue were drawn mainly from the Federal Ministry of Finance, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity and ASCSN,” he added.

    The ASCSN scribe explained that the Committee had pleaded with the Presidency to accept as supplementary the list from few other MDAs that could not meet the seven-day deadline for the submission of names of affected officers.

    He added that a memorandum was  forwarded to the President on the completion of the assignment on bailout for public servants in the MDAs.

    “We must also express gratitude to the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, Dr Cement Illoh, the Chairman of the Panel, for the able manner he steered the affairs of the Committee.

    “In particular, our special thanks also go to President Buhari for directing the compilation of the arrears and allowances of the Federal workers. We urge him to continue to play his fatherly role by directing the release of needed funds so that these outstanding salaries and allowances can be paid in the next few weeks in order to put the entire sordid story behind us,” he said.