The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Federal government

  • FG charges Daily Times publishers with fraud

    …Stop mocking judiciary – Folio tells Keyamo, Obiorah

     

    The Federal Government has filed a charge against Fidelis Anosike and Noel Anosike and their firm, Folio Communications Limited, accusing them of fraudulently acquiring the Daily Times of Nigeria (DTN).

    The management of Folio Communication has however accused the lawyer, who filed the charge, Festus Keyamo (SAN) and Senator Ikechukwu Obiorah of mocking the Judiciary by allegedly engaging in forum shopping.

    The charge marked: CR/222/18, was filed before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Keyamo (SAN), for the Nigeria Police Force.

    Read Also:Ex-Daily Times workers ‘not queried before sack’

    The defendants were charged with conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, criminal misappropriation, cheating and theft of property belonging to the DTN.

    In the charge, it was alleged that pursuant to the Federal Government’s privatisation programme in 2004, its 96.05% shares in the DTN were put for sale by the Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE), bid for which Folio Communications emerged the highest with a bid of N1.250 billion, but had no money to pay.

    It was alleged that what Folio did in the circumstances was to obtain a co-investment of N500, 000,000.00 from DSV Ltd (owned by Senator Ikechukwu Obiorah in exchange of 40% of the said shares. DSV paid the sum of N500m directly to BPE.

    The prosecution alleged that:” In order to raise the remaining N750, 000,000.00, Folio resorted to the following; it illegally created fixed and floating debentures over the assets of DTN in favour of Hallmark Bank and collected N750, 000, 000 from the Bank.

    “Folio was unable to repay Hallmark Bank. The Bank obtained a Court Order appointing a  a receiver/manager over DTN. This precipitated law suits culminating in the consent judgment entered by the Federal High Court in Suit No. FHC/L.CP/594/2005 wherein Folio was ordered to pay Hallmark Bank the sum of N950m consisting of the original N750, 000,000.00 and accumulated interest.

    “Instead of using their own money to pay the N950,000,000.00 as mandated by the consent judgement, the defendants (Fidelis Anosike, Noel Anosike and Folio Communications Ltd) once again resorted to DTN’s assets as follows:

    They were also accused, among others, of converting N500,000,000.00 belonging to DTN (realised from sale of DTN’s interest in Stock Exchange Building, Lagos) in defraying part of the N950,000,000.00 leaving outstanding the sum of N450,000,000.00.

    Folio, in its statement, signed by the Managing Editor of Daily Times newspaper, Bonaventure Melah, said the current case filed by the Police and on which ground the fake news was being bandied around, is about the 15th of its kind that Ikechukwu Obiorah had instigated the Police to initiate against Folio and its management, all of which he said fell flat on their belly before the courts because they are not only baseless but also lack merit.

    “This case is not the first, not the second, not the third but about the 15th different cases Ikechukwu Obiorah has instigated the Police to institute against Folio Communications Plc on Daily Times. They have gone from High Court to Magistrate Court, back to High Court and to Magistrate Court. Today, they will run to the Federal High Court, tomorrow, they will run to FCT High court and then to Magistrate Court in Mpape, a suburb of Abuja and to Magistrate Court in Igbosere, Lagos, all in bare-face contempt and disrespect for both the judiciary and mockery of the respected legal profession.

    “This same case has gone to the Court of Appeal where in 2010 the Court of Appeal ruled that the matter was purely civil with the no criminal ingredients. Inspectors General of Police have investigated the case severally and put it in black and white that it is a civil case of ownership. But, Ikechukwu Obiorah, finding a willing ally in the current IGP has been using the Police to intimidate Folio and its management,” Bonaventure wrote.

    “Our initial reaction to the information that court papers are being circulated as news, (an act that sub judus) was a very long laugh. However, because the main characters in this funny drama are lawyers who should know, it therefore became necessary to react to it.

    “In the first place, privatisation is different from commercialisation. Federal Government of Nigeria through the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) advertised to sell Daily Times. Folio, like many other companies bided to acquire Daily Times and after very rigorous but transparent process, Folio emerged the preferred bidder. Folio went ahead to fully pay for Daily Times and the government duly handed over the company to Folio.

    “Privatisation is about offer, acceptance and payment. It is not commercialisation where conditions are stated. Privatisation is buying and selling. Government advertised, Folio bided and won and went ahead to pay in full the value of the transaction. What has forging of documents got to do with the business? Who forged document and for what? Or are they saying that the money Folio paid and which government received was fake or forged money?

    “The next question is who is alleging forgery on the transaction? Is it the Police or the BPE that advertised, supervised the process of bidding, declared Folio as the preferred bidder, accepted the money paid and handed over Daily Times to Folio? What is the interest of the Police that is being used to institute criminal charges against Folio and its management when BPE that conducted the sale and handed over Daily Times to Folio is there and has never complained about the transaction?” the statement wondered.”

  • FG reconstitutes tax appeal tribunals

    The Federal Government has reconstituted the Tax Appeal Tribunals in the six geo-political zones as well as Lagos and Federal Capital Territory.

    A statement from the federal ministry of finance said the “the reconstitution of the Tribunals is in accordance with Section 2(1) of the Fifth Schedule of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Establishment Act.”

    Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, who announced this Thursday in Abuja, said “the Tribunals would adjudicate over disputes arising from the operation of Federal Tax Laws and Regulations in the country.”

    Read Also:Appeal Court upholds tax tribunal’s jurisdiction

    The Minister added that, “the reconstitution of the Tax Appeal Tribunals is an essential part of building tax payers trust and confidence in the fairness of the system and the Federal Ministry of Finance has undertaken a rigorous process to select competent persons on the basis of merit who will be expected to discharge their duties professionally.”

    She stated that the Ministry sought nominations from a number of professional bodies and stakeholders, including the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) and the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce & Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA).

    The Tax Appeal Commissioners, according to the Minister, are expected to hold office for a term of three (3) years from the date of appointment.

    Each Tribunal is made up of a Chairman and four Commissioners knowledgeable in the laws, regulations, norms and practices of taxation in Nigeria, management and trade.

     

    1. ABUJA TAX APPEAL TRIBUNAL
    S/N NAME DESIGNATION
    1 Iriogbe Ayo Alice Chairman
    2 Prof. Ishola Rufus Akintoye Member
    3 Ajayi Julius Bamidele Member
    4 Dr. Almustapha Aliyu Member
    5 Nasiru Kuliya Member

     

    1. LAGOS TAX APPEAL TRIBUNAL
    S/N NAME DESIGNATION
    1 Lassise-Phillips Olanrewaju Moshood Chairman
    2 Dike Mark Anthony Chidolue Member
    3 Sanusi Maijamaa Ajiya Member
    4 Mrs Titilola Akibayo Member
    5 Rasaq Adekunle Quadri Member

     

    1. NORTH-EAST ZONE TAX APPEAL TRIBUNAL – SITTING IN BAUCHI, BAUCHI STATE
    S/N NAME DESIGNATION
    1 Bagoni Alhaji Bukar Chairman
    2 Barr. Bashir Maidugu Member
    3 Adamu Ismaila Member
    4 Tijanayi Musa Isa Member
    5 Mrs. Nafisa Shehu Awak Member

     

    1. NORTH WEST ZONE TAX APPEAL TRIBUNAL – SITTING IN KADUNA, KADUNA STATE
    S/N NAME DESIGNATION
    1 Umar Mohammed Adamu Chairman
    2 Isa Kabir Dandago Member
    3 Bayero A.S. Muhammad Member
    4 Abubakar-Gwandu Sameerah Member
    5 Dr. Ahmad M. Kumshe Member

     

    1. NORTH CENTRAL ZONE TAX APPEAL TRIBUNAL – SITTING IN JOS, PLATEAU STATE
    S/N NAME DESIGNATION
    1 Barr. Richard Bala Chairman
    2 Barr. Emmanuel Seungwa Ukera Member
    3 Ogbaenyi Ivan Chikwendu Member
    4 Abdul Zaidu Idde Member
    5 Mrs. Atoki Dupe Member

     

    1. SOUTH WEST ZONE TAX APPEAL TRIBUNAL – SITTING IN IBADAN, OYO STATE
    S/N NAME DESIGNATION
    1 Ajibola Akinmade Chairman
    2 Atitola Felix Bimbo Member
    3 Falade Sufian Alani Member
    4 Mrs. Queensley S. Seghosime Member
    5 Princess Elemanya Ebilah Member

     

    1. SOUTH EAST ZONE TAX APPEAL TRIBUNAL – SITTING IN ENUGU, ENUGU STATE
    S/N NAME DESIGNATION
    1 Chukwuemeka Eze Chairman
    2 Ide John Udeagbala Member
    3 Anyaduba John Obiora Member
    4 Mazi Nnamdi Okwuadigbo Member
    5 Obri Francis Ogar Member

     

    1. SOUTH SOUTH ZONE TAX APPEAL TRIBUNAL – SITTING IN BENIN, EDO STATE
    S/N NAME DESIGNATION
    1 Odiase-Alegimenlen Obehi Chairman
    2 Ala Peters David Member
    3 Mrs. Hilda Ozoh Member
    4 Ajokwu Vitalis Friday Member
    5 Otusanya Olatunde Julius Member

     

     

  • FG to take delivery of N10.7bn rice mill Dec 2019

    The Federal Government has said the N10.7 billion integrated rice milling machines procured by the Federal Government will be delivered in December, 2019.

    Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, disclosed this Monday at the pact signing with MV Agro Engineers, suppliers of the farm equipment, in Abuja.

    Ogbeh explained that the benefiting states would indicate interest as off-takers, make 10 percent down payment and express technical capacity to own and operate a mill.

    The Federal Executive Council (FEC) in April approved N10.7bn for the establishment of 10 new rice mills in the six geopolitical zones.

    The 10 participating states include Kaduna, Anambra, Kogi, Benue, Bayelsa, Niger, and Bauchi. Others are Kebbi, Ogun, Zamfara while the mills are expected to produce 100 tons of rice per day.

    Read Also:Fed Govt to rice millers: we’ll reduce interest rates

    The Bank of Agriculture (BoA) is expected to take over the loan repayment in the next 10 years.

    “As these people arrive, they will install these mills and the BoA will take over the loans repayment over a period of 10 years,” Ogbeh said.

    Asked if the 18 months deadline could be reviewed upward, the minister noted that, “building machines is not cheap. It’s a scientific thing. These people say they may do it faster but we give them 18 months, so there won’t be issues for delays.”

    According to him, there are about 16 existing large rice mills from the already procured 100 mills.

    The minister added that 16 large machines would mill 100 tons of rice paddy daily while others could mill about 300 tons daily.

    “Dangote just brought in 10 milling machines which will produce 1 million tons of rice per annum but there are smaller ones we gave out, about 200 mills of 10 tons and 20 tons per annum operating in villages and small corners equipped with the stoners.

    “We are buying smaller mills and giving them out because the smaller mills produce more rice than the big mills added up but they are scattered all over the country. Virtually every state has small rice mills somewhere, Niger, Bayelsa, Benue, Taraba, Adamawa, Ebonyi, Katsina and Jigawa,” he stated.

    He commended the contractors advising them to supply adequate quality spare parts.

    In his remarks, the Managing Director, Bank of Agriculture, Kabir Mohammed restated commitment to ensure the project is successful while meeting the delivery targets.

    He said the project financing would not be a challenge.

    The Managing Director, Jamu Babba Dan’agundi, leader of the delegation commended the federal government for the gesture.

    He promised to deliver the machines as scheduled.

  • Herdsmen: Presidency warns against fake news, inflammatory statements

    The Federal Government has appealed to all its citizens as well as members of the international community to refrain from spreading false stories and inflammatory statements concerning the recent herder-farmer clashes.

    Malam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, gave the warning in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday.

    According to him, Nigerian Government is working closely with state governments and the security services as well as international partners to resolve this ongoing issue.

    He said: “The clashes between herders and farmers are historical. The causes of these confrontations are varied and complex.

    Read Also: Suspected herdsmen kill three in Benue

    “Climate change, specifically the drying up of the Chad Basin, has led to more pressure on the population in the North of Nigeria, which further compounded the problem.

    “As President Buhari indicated lately, there is evidence of involvement of some politicians using criminals to perpetuate the killings.

    “Climate change is an issue of global significance and the Nigerian Government is determined to continue working closely with its neighbours in order to ensure that a long-term solution can be implemented.’’

    According to the presidential aide, the Federal Government makes no distinction amongst the population and works tirelessly to protect all Nigerian people.

    “We are strongest as a nation when we are united and it is through unity that we will overcome this challenge,’’ he added

    NAN

  • FG pays over N150bn owed local constructors – FOCI

    The Federation of Construction Industry ( FOCI ), said on Sunday that the Federal Government has cleared more than half of the outstanding debts owned to many of its members.

    Chairman of FOCI, Mr Nasiru Dantata, who made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, said that the Federal Government had paid more than half of the money owed its members.

    Speaking on the sidelines of the 62nd Annual General Meeting of the Federation, Dantata said that the Federal Government did not just stop at payment for past contracts but was also awarding new contracts.

    According to him, FOCI had moved on from the bad situation it found itself.

    “Actually for now the situation is different, most of our members have gotten a substantial amount of their outstanding debts paid and also many of our members are being patronized by the current administration on new jobs.

    “I do not have the accurate figure because not all construction companies are members of FOCI, but from the over N300 billion we presented to this administration, I believe more than half have been paid.

    “Our members are now busy working on many projects.

    “Some of the jobs are quite big, like the 375km Abuja-Kano road. So we are hopeful this will continue.

    “Government at federal and state levels now patronize us. My company is indigenous and I have enjoyed good patronage from Nigeria,” he said.

    In 2015, FOCI disclosed that the government owed its members over N500 billion, claiming that one company alone was owed N70 billion.

    Dantata stressed that there was need for some indigenous companies to up their game, adding that some of the companies perceived as foreign were actually indigenous.

    Speaking on the issue of withholding tax refund, the FOCI president said that there was need for the government to review the procedure so as to make it easier.

    He disclosed that FOCI was already in talks with the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to see how the tax can be reduced to 2,5 per cent to avoid the problems of having to refund.

    “What we are proposing to the government is that since we are working in the area of development, the best thing is to reduce the withholding tax on our activities.

    “This was done briefly some years ago and it was reversed but we are discussing with the Chairman of FIRS; he has assured us that what happened was that there was abuse by other sectors.

    “The amount involved is in billions,” he said.

    He expressed confidence that the present administration will clear all arrears owed its members.

  • To plug yet another drain

    FINALLY, the Federal Government seems set to plug one of the biggest drains on the nation’s resources: the propensity for political and public officials to travel abroad on the slightest pretext

    The incentives and rewards are attractive: First-Class air travel, or Business Class, never coach, unless the official is flying at his or her own expense, or cannot tie the trip to some government matter, however tenuous; generous expense allowance (or estacode in the language of the bureaucracy) which, for the kind of officials who get to travel at government expense, ranges between $300 and $1,000 per diem, and the many satisfactions that such travel brings.

    Only their capacity for inventiveness sets a limit to how far and how often they can fly out. One political head of a government parastatal who had retired from public service as the head of a law enforcement agency had no qualms about obtaining First-Class round-trip airline tickets to attend two conferences taking place simultaneously at opposite ends of the globe. It was clear that he could only attend one of the conferences, but he could not resist the lure of free money.

    When his under-handed conduct was discovered in an internal audit, he offered to apply the ticket and the estacode for the trip he never made toward a future conference. Any conference. And the more far-flung the venue, and the longer the conference lasts, the better for his pocket and convenience.

    This ethos pervades the public service. And there is never a shortage of excuses for foreign travel.

    The trip may be for something as unexceptionable as medical treatment, or something as spurious as acquiring familiarity with how abattoirs are managed in Spain, Ireland and Denmark, a comparative perspective being much more likely to yield enlightenment than a one-country visit. Or for something as indulgent as writing a committee report

    Officials who travel abroad on government duty deserve a reasonable measure of comfort. But what the Nigerian officials enjoy, and have come to expect as their due, is pampering on a scale that much better-endowed countries consider scandalous. When senior U.S officials, including ambassadors are not flying on a government plane, they fly coach on official business. And their travel allowances cover hotel room rates of about $120 per night, plus meals.

    That is why there have been indignant calls for the resignation of U. S. cabinet officials deemed to have indulged in lavish travel practices at public expense, among them Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price, Veteran Affairs Secretary David Shulkin, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Scott Pruitt, and the Interior Secretary, Ryan Zinke.

    Their derelictions include staying at the most luxurious hotels, and in one case, using public funds to pay for a spouse’s expense during a 10-day visit to Europe;  travelling first-class all too frequently, and covering personal expenses with public funds.

    In Nigeria, these practices would hardly cause a stir, and anyone making an issue of them would be dismissed as an envious busybody.

    Yet, it is clear, given the nation’s resources and priorities, that such practices must be curbed.

    As a first step, to be cleared for official travel, an applicant must make a case that a standing review board finds compelling. Second, there should be a tight limit on how many official trips any qualified person can make in a fiscal year. Third, only principal officers of state should fly first class; lesser officials may out of security considerations and on a case-by-case basis be approved for Business-Class travel. All others should fly coach.

    Fourth, the estacode is indefensibly large. It lies at the heart of the thirst for foreign travel by government officials. It has to be cut.

    Finally, fifth, the health care delivery system must be raised to a level that can handle all but the gravest emergencies. Daily, one hears of government’s determination to turn Nigeria into a destination for medical tourism. The task cannot begin too soon.

     

     

  • FG denies report of $6.59b judgment by US court

    The Federal Government has faulted reports that a court in the United States has entered a default judgement affirming a $6.59 billion arbitral award against it and favour of a firm, Process & Industrial Development Limited (P&ID).

    The Solicitor General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, Dayo Apata, while speaking in Abuja on Tuesday, confirmed that the firm sued the Federal Government of Nigeria in a US District Court, but said no judgment has been given yet.

    Read Also:Ekiti: Court dismisses suit seeking to bar Fayemi

    Apata said the Nigerian government has taken the necessary steps to engage lawyers to handle the case on its behalf.

    He was however silent on the details of the dispute and what informed the suit brought against Nigeria by the private firm.

    Apata, who spoke on behalf of the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, said: “no default judgment was entered against Nigeria in the enforcement proceedings by P & ID.

    “The Federal Government through its foreign solicitors, Messrs. Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle LLP, has commenced the process of challenging and defending the enforcement proceedings.

    “It needs be stated that what is being taunted as a default judgment was actually a default entry made by the Court Clerk. Under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA), a defendant has up to 60 days period to answer to a petition filed against it.

    “Where no response is entered for the Defendant, the Court Clerk upon application by the petitioner makes a default entry, which in this case was made on 5th June, 2018.

    “It is to be noted that under the FSIA, a default judgment cannot be entered against a foreign State like Nigeria unless the presiding judge determines so after the petitioner/claimant must have established its entitlement to a default judgment.

    “Based on the presumption of sovereign immunity, the US District Court is still under obligation, despite default by a Foreign State, to determine whether the foreign state is immune from the jurisdiction of the US Court under FSIA or whether the case before it falls within one of the recognised exceptions.

    “Even where the court determines that it has jurisdiction, a default judgment will not be granted automatically or as a routine matter to be handled by a court clerk as this can only be done after a formal trial.

    “On 12th June, 2018 our foreign solicitors filed the necessary application to set aside the clerk’s default entry and to dismiss the entire case on grounds of defective service and lack of personal jurisdiction over Nigeria in line with the provisions of the FSIA.

    “We wish to re-assure the general public that there is no default judgment against Nigeria at the instance of P&ID.

    “We urge Nigeria’s foreign friends and investors to ignore the malicious reports.

    “The Federal Government is also making concerted efforts through legal and diplomatic channels to resolve the issues in contention between the parties in this matter,” Apata said.

  • FG pledges support for people living with disabilities

    The Federal Government has pledged its commitment to support people living with disabilities in the country.

    Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, made the promise at the opening of 2018 Art for Development (Art4Dev) exhibition, organized by the ActionAid Nigeria and the ministry, Thursday in Abuja.

    Mohammed said rather than a biennial event, the ministry will support the project to make it annual, thus creating market opportunities for people with disabilities involved in the work of arts.

    The Minister said such supports through arts, craft and the entire creative industry is capable of reducing poverty, boosting quality of life style and promoting self-reliance among the special group and the youth in general.

    Read Also:‘Stop discriminating against persons with disabilities’

    He emphasized on the significant of art to addressing unemployment, boosting rural economy and contributing to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

    Mohammed, represented by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Deaconess Grace Gekpe, declared the exhibition open.

    “The expo is a platform to showcase, promote and develop the creative talents and skills of our local artists, especially the artists from vulnerable and excluded communities. There is no doubt that most of our youth have missed the opportunity of developing their creative talents due to lack of support and access to market.

    “Economic empowerment through arts and crafts is the only means available for these marginalized people to obtain basic human needs ….” he added.

    Earlier, ActionAid Country Director, Ene Obi described poor access to market as great challenge to promoting works of arts and the creative industry.

    She said proper support is capable of creating jobs, reducing poverty and promoting self-development.

    Obi noted that efforts are ongoing to reach-out to State governors in the 36 states stressing that some youth venture into agriculture due to poor sales of artworks despite their level of creativity.

    “Even though, some of them have access to raw materials required for production of art and crafts like tree for woodworks and raffia for weaving; they do not have access to platforms and opportunities their professional counterparts have to make their works profitable and a source of livelihood.

    “It is our belief that if these talents are properly and diligently utilized, it can become a source of sustainable livelihood, thereby lifting them out of poverty and contributing to the micro and macro economy of the nation,” she stated.

  • FG determined to complete second Niger bridge soon-Lai Mohammed

    The Minister of information and culture, Lai Mohammed has again reaffirmed the Federal Government determination to complete the second Niger Bridge.

    The minister also assured that funding will not be a problem for the project; stressing that government is not sleeping neither is it playing politics with the project.

    The Minister gave the assurance yesterday during an inspection tour of the second project.

    Addressing Journalists on the tour, the minister also expressed the determination of the current administration to complete all ongoing Federal Government projects across the country.

    Read Also:Fashola reassures on completion of Second Niger Bridge

    He also challenged those doubting government sincerity to go to the site and see the enormous work that is ongoing.

    Speaking at the Asaba end of the project, Mohammed stressed that the federal government wasn’t sleeping or politicising the project as the impact of the ongoing construction work will not be understood until finally completed.

    “Very soon the second Niger Bridge would be completed, and it would change the socioeconomic situation of the country. We are working in a creek, what people want to see is that bridge, and before you see it you must have done a lot of work.

    “The contract of the second Niger Bridge was awarded in 2014 by the last administration and nothing was done until 2016, and the Buhari administration funded the project. So far a lot has been done and in the next two years, passengers would not have to queue on the first Niger Bridge again.

    “The thing about this project is that, because of the alignment, people from the old bridge will say nothing is going on, you have come here and you can see a lot of work is going on and I am excited because with technology the challenges here are overcome. You could hear that in June/July the water level usually rises by 2-3meters and it’s not like the way we use to have casualties like before.

    “it is very important for naysayers to try and mislead people that nothing is being done on the second Niger bridge, but for what we have all seen today, clearly work is going on on the second Niger bridge.

    “I am happy that these are not project you could move over in two or three days. The complexity of this project is such that it is only the best that can handle it, and we have very competent hands working on it and the entire contract is over 11km. We can see the enthusiasm displayed among the workers,” said Mohammed.

    Earlier speaking, the Federal Commissioner of Works, Anambra State, Innocent Anumona while giving a progress report of the project to the minister said ”the second Niger bridge is 1.59km. The contractors have done a lot, they have completed the whole pile which is the foundation, and we have done 310piles amongst other things, what is remaining is the launch the bridge, which is the last stage.

    “These contract has been awarded and it is being carried out in phases, 1-4th phases. Phase 1-3 has been completed, and we are on the 4th phase.

    “By July, we should be ending the 4th phase of the second Niger bridge, the entire Foundation/pile of the bridge is 615 pieces.

  • Senate to pass water resources Bill soon, says FG

    The Federal Government on Tuesday said it was hopeful that the Senate would pass the controversial Water Resources Bill in the next few months.

    The bill seeking to concentrate the control of water resources in the hands of the Federal Government divided senators along regional lines when it was read on the floor of the red chambers.

    However, the minister said the government was confident that the bill was a ‘done deal’ “after explaining all the relevant issues raised in the Bill to the senators.”

    Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Suleiman Adamu, said this at a conference on water use regulations, compliance, monitoring and enforcement framework, in Abuja, organised by the Nigeria Integrated Water Resources Management Commission (NIWRMC).

    He said: “I am very happy and confident that the distinguished members of the senate who are well vast and experienced in governance and other activities of life, have a clear understanding now of what this Bill is all about and I am very optimistic that in the next few weeks or few months, by God’s grace, the controversy around this Bill will come to past.

    “At the end of the day, Bills are not made on the pages of newspapers or in comments on social media but they are made in the senate and we believe we have wise men in the senate. The 109 wise men in the senate will do the needful having asked all the relevant questions and we having explained all the relevant issues to them are confident that this bill is a done deal.”

    Read Also: National Assembly not worried, says Senate chief

    He said it was unfortunate that people were busy commenting on something (Bill) they were totally ignorant of.

    Engr. Adamu also accused Nigerians of trying to politicise the Bill rather than see the benefits the country could derive from having the Bill passed.

    He appealed to Nigerians to stop making controversial statements on the Bill, saying their comments about the Bill tend to make the country a laughing stock in the eyes of the international community.

    The minister said: “I believe this Bill is very dear to the heart of everybody here but unfortunately, as it is with many good things in the country, people have misunderstood the benefits of this Bill. I have tried, as we have done, in the past few weeks to address the issue, I still see some comments about people, I think not really because they don’t understand, I think they are just trying to politicise the Bill, an effort that is being made in the overall best interest of this country.

    “I will like to urge all of us who are stakeholders; you should not allow this business of explaining this bill to the ministry for the minister. I think we all have a stake in this. I came here in 2015. Many of you have been working on this Bill for the past 12 years. It is your baby and you have a responsibility to also enlighten the people and get this Bill passed too.

    “I will like to appeal to Nigerians to please stop these controversial comments, unintelligible comments, unpalatable comments, unfounded comments about this Bill because they tend to make us a laughing stock in the eyes of the international community.”

    In his remarks, Executive Director of the NIWRMC, Reuben Habu, said the commission had issued licences for 125 applicants to do water and power projects.

    He said: “We have issued 125 licences for irrigation, hydropower generation, thermal water generation, water supply.

    “We are monitoring their activities to ensure they operate within the terms and conditions of the licences given them.”