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Tag: Femi Gbajabiamila

  • Gbajabiamila visits Katsina over security challenges

    The Speaker, House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, has visited Katsina State to access the level of insecurity with a view to finding lasting solutions.

    Gbajabiamila disclosed this on Monday when he visited Katsina State Governor, Aminu Masari.

    “We are here to see what is happening on the ground, discuss with the governor and proffer possible solutions to the problems.

    “Nigeria is one country, a state alone cannot deal with this, there must be something which we can do to assist.

    He said that no one can assist the state by just seeing reports in the media.

    “We have been to Zamfara and Borno States, the situation is almost the same everywhere we go.

    Read Also: House of Reps set for agenda, reforms -Gbajabiamila

    “The issue of kidnappers is the major problem here, though things have now subsided because the governor has done so much,’’ he said.

    Responding, Masari said that the porosity nature of the nation’s borders also contribute to the level of insecurity challenges in the country.

    He said that drug abuse and trafficking was mostly accompanied by arms trafficking.

    “Our legislators need to do some legislation to address the situation otherwise criminals will continue to move from one country to another,’’ he said.

    He said that the government identified that the bandits were neglected for several years.

    “It is a signal for us to do the necessary, and what is necessary is education.

    “We will give the people living at the grassroots good education that will afford them to earn a living by way of learning some trades.

    “I believe, you cannot be a good cattle rearer without good education,’’ Masari said.

  • Xenophobic attacks: FG, Reps insist on compensation for victims

    THE Federal Government and the House of Representatives are pushing ahead with demands for compensation to Nigerian victims of the xenophobic attacks in South Africa, regardless of hints by Pretoria that it has no intention of paying.

    While Foreign Affairs Minister Godfrey Onyeama declared on Friday that Nigeria will challenge South Africa’s claims that its laws do not provide for such compensation, House of Representatives Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila said, “We will obtain, by whatever means available, due restoration and recompense for all that has been lost in this latest conflagration and all the ones that have come before.”

    Senior lawyers are also asking Nigeria to sue South Africa domestically and internationally to obtain justice for the victims of the xenophobic attacks.

    Gbajabiamila, speaking to reporters in Abuja on Friday after an emergency session by the House of Reps on the attacks on Nigerians in South Africa, said the Green Chamber had heard the “the cries of our citizens.”

    His words: “Let no one be left in any doubt, we will seek and we will obtain by whatever means available, due restoration and recompense for all that has been lost in this latest conflagration and all the ones that have come before.

    “We are committed to a sustained and special effort to see that the ends of justice are met for all our people who have suffered.

    “We have heard the cries of our citizens and we have witnessed their devastation. We will mourn for the dead and cry for the lost, but we will not stop there.”

    He said that there ought to be urgency for demanding nothing less than total commitment to revoking the old arrangements that had made such abominations against Nigerians possible.

    Nigeria, he said, had demonstrated its commitment to the brotherhood of nations, sacrificing life, labour and wealth to achieve peace and restore freedom from Sierra Leone to Liberia, Sao Tome to South Africa.

    Gbajabiamila said that Nigeria’s commitment had always been to the advancement of Africa, freedom in all lands and prosperity for all African peoples.

    He added: “Yet today and too many a time, we are called to stand as pallbearers, bringing home to burial the bodies of our brothers and sisters, fathers and mothers, our children, savaged and decimated.

    “What is their offence? That they dared to dream of glory and profit beyond our borders, and having dreamt, they endeavoured to make real the visions of their heart.

    “We did not provoke, nor do we deserve the violence that has been visited on our people in South Africa.

    “We reject entirely the obvious attempt to change the true narrative of events by casting the recently organised acts of violence as merely internecine conflict between gangs fighting for turf.

    “Unless it is the position of South African government that all Nigerians living in South Africa are gangsters and criminals, we demand that they reject these claims without equivocation.”

    The speaker said that those who are tempted to respond to the latest incidents with violence and destruction in communities should resist such temptation.

    “We will honour the lives of our fallen brothers by making sure that never again will our citizens’ inalienable right to life and liberty be so wantonly denied here at home or anywhere else in the world.

    “We will honour the sacrifice of the fallen by devoting ourselves once more to a covenant of service to one another, certain in the knowledge that our greatest protection against such harms is peace, progress and prosperity in the homeland,” he said.

    The speaker hailed the actions thus far taken by President Muhammadu Buhari through the Minister of Foreign Affairs in communicating the government’s extreme displeasure at what has occurred.

    Gbajabiamila urged Buhari to direct the Ministry of Health to assist the families of the bereaved in expediting the return of loved ones who have lost their lives in the unfortunate event.

    “We ought no longer to wait until our people are caught in the foulest manifestations of these events before we take necessary action to protect them.

    “There have been reports that state actors may have participated in the worst acts of violence; sometimes actively, at other times by standing and doing nothing whilst murder and mayhem was unleashed.

    “We expect that the government of the Republic of South Africa will conduct a thorough investigation into these allegations and make public their findings whatever they may be.

    “Where any of these claims are determined to be true, we expect also that the individuals responsible will be held accountable to the highest degree allowed by law,” he said.

    Onyeama: why Nigeria will insist on compensation

    Foreign Affairs Minister Godfrey Onyeama, who spoke in the same vein as Gbajabiamila, said Nigeria would be demanding that the victims be compensated.

    “This is important despite the position of the South African government that there is no provision for that by their own laws.”They will definitely be made to resort to other insurance companies or other private arrangements for that,” he told reporters after a meeting with the chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora, Senator Ajibola Bashiru.

    Onyeama, however, said that despite the decision of the South African government not to pay compensation to the Nigerian victims of the attacks, the Federal Government would pursue the option by all means.

    But he said Nigeria would not severe relations with South Africa on the matter.

    “The options that are being considered are weighty enough to ensure that the government of South Africa is alive to its responsibility on the rule of law, but not in any way relating to severance of ties,” he said.

    He said that a wide range of diplomatic moves were being made by Abuja to get South Africa and its citizens to realize the need to prevent such attacks on Nigerians and other Africans in the future.

    “We are not thinking to the stage of diplomatic ties call off now. There are various options. We are not by any means at a stage where we are breaking diplomatic relations with South Africa,” the minister emphasised.

    He appealed to Nigerians to eschew retaliation in the interest of both countries, particularly considering that fact that about 800,000 Nigerians are currently resident in South Africa.

    The minister said: “Fundamental in resolving this matter is for us to appeal to Nigerians not to take laws in to their hands.

    “We need to exercise restraint as Nigeria is a leader in Africa, and as a country, we must also show that we are responsible, as two wrongs can never make a right. So we appeal to Nigerians to remain calm.”

    He said the special envoys dispatched to Johannesburg by President Muhammadu Buhari would return to Nigeria today.

    He explained that their report would guide the Nigerian leader to take a decisive action in the overall interest of the country.

    “We just met with the senate committee to review the situation with regards to South Africa, and we looked at all the possible options, we analysed the possible causes and agreed on a road map going forward.

    “Part of that road map on the executive side, Mr. President has dispatched a special envoy to South Africa who would be holding discussion with the South African government at the very highest level.

    “He (leader of the envoy) should be back tomorrow (today). That will now give the government the basis for further action. In the meantime, the government is very much on top of the situation.

    “We know for a fact that no Nigerian life has been lost, so we are extremely concerned now to ensure that there will be adequate compensation for property that have been damaged.

    “We know that a Nigerian Airline is putting a plane at the disposal of most Nigerians that wish to take the opportunity to leave South Africa. This is purely voluntary, but we are particularly determined to particularly make sure that this crisis does not reoccur.

    It has been happening for far too long. It is becoming almost endemic. So the distinguished senators are helping with some of the options that we may have to take to ensure that this will be the last time we will ever be meeting to talk about Nigerians attacked in South Africa and to take definitive measures.

    “To start doing that, we want to have all the facts available and then we will take the necessary measures.”

    The minister also advised his South African counterpart, Naledi Pandor, to desist from stigmatising Nigerians.

    He described Pandor’s statement as “outrageous stigmatization of a people from senior government officials that fuel xenophobia and embolden criminals.”

    Pandor had in an interview with ‘eNCA’, a South African news website, accused Nigerians of doing illegitimate jobs in South Africa.

    She was quoted as saying: “I would appreciate them in helping us as well to address the belief our people have and the reality that there are many persons from Nigeria dealing in drugs in our country.

    “I believe that Nigerian nationals are involved in human trafficking and other abusive practices. “This kind of assistance of ensuring that such persons do not come to our country will be of great assistance to our nation.

    “Nigeria needs to help address the belief that its countrymen are involved in criminal activities.”

    Also speaking on the Diaspora committee of the Senate, Ajibola Bashiru, said diplomatic options were the best approach to the problem and not retaliation or diplomatic face off.

    “As we are today, from reliable information, not less than 800,000 Nigerians are living in South Africa. So if you want to take a decision, you must be able to protect their interest because they have been tied to the South African society for many years.

    “So when you are taking a decision, you have to take a decision that will promote the interest of all Nigerians that are in that country,” the senator said.

    Sue South Africa domestically, internationally, senior lawyers tell FG

    Senior lawyers yesterday backed the Federal Government in its decision to seek compensation by legal means for Nigerian victims of xenophobic attacks.

    They advised Nigeria to sue the South African Government within South Africa and also explore international laws within the African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN) framework.

    Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) Chief Felix Fagbohungbe, Dr Paul Ananaba, Chief Emeka Okpoko and other lawyers told The Nation in different interviews that the Federal Government could also step up diplomatic pressure to resolve the crisis.

    In a recent statement, activist-lawyer Mr Femi Falana advised Nigeria to begin legal proceedings against the Southern African nation at the African Court on Human and People’s Rights, Arusha, Tanzania.

    Ananaba, who commended the Federal Government’s diplomatic efforts, said legal options may be available to seek redress for Nigerian victims of xenophobic attacks.

    He suggested that aside instituting legal action under the domestic laws of South Africa, Nigeria could also explore international legal options.

    The senior lawyer also suggested that the country could also go by way of diplomacy, where countries give and take in the interest of their citizens.

    “Government should no longer take anything regarding our relationship with South Africa for granted. Nigeria should be on the alert to protect Nigerian interests, not only in South Africa, but anywhere in the world,” Ananaba said.

    He emphasised that the South African government’s refusal to compensate victims of the attack was unacceptable.

    “Xenophobic attacks are not acceptable anywhere in the world. The world has progressed beyond such unacceptable behaviours now.

    “Even though the attacks may not be strictly aimed at Nigerians, Nigerians have suffered so much in the hands of South Africans.

    “I think the government is handling it well because they also have to be diplomatic in handling it, knowing that they are also our brothers”, he added.

    Fagbohungbe, who observed that the issue requires careful diplomacy, gave the Federal Government kudos for “handling it in a much matured and proper way.”

    He urged scare mongers and those spreading fake news about the true situation in South Africa to exercise restraint and allow the Federal Government carry out proper investigation.

    Fagbohungbe said: “I feel that we should investigate properly what is happening in South Africa. People should allow the government to investigate and give us their position. We should not jump into conclusion based on what we see on social media, though it is a very condemnable act.

    “We should allow the Federal Government to handle it and then give us their position before we start talking.

    “We have well experienced people in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and government has sent envoys there to ascertain the true positions of things because we are getting different versions from social media.

    “Even Minister for Information, Lai Mohammed, said the situation is not like we are seeing it on social media, because we may not know as much as government knows. So, we have to be careful so that whatever views we are making are not on wrong premise.

    “Let us know the findings of the government and then the next the line of action of the government.”

    Okpoko commended the government for the steps it has taken so far, but urged it to go even further and deploy more diplomatic measures in resolving the crisis.

    “We have to take an international diplomatic approach. The Federal Government’s withdrawal of the South African High Commissioner is okay but we need to take it further.

    “For instance, we can approach the United Nations. So, legal steps are okay, but we must combine it with high diplomatic moves.

    “We need to explore all diplomatic avenues,” Okpoko said.

     

  • We’ll work with President to protect Nigerians in South Africa —Gbajabiamila

    THE Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, on Friday pledged the support of the Green Chambers for President Muhammadu Buhari towards protecting Nigerians against further xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

    According to him, the President has been taking proactive steps on the issue.

    Speaking with State House correspondents after meeting with President Buhari at the State House, he said that he was on the same page with the President on the issue.

    Asked the purpose for his visit to the Presidential Villa, he said: “Engagement with Mr. President is not out of place even on a normal day, but these are not normal days.

    “The country in the last few days has witnessed unfortunate incidents in South Africa.

    “As you are aware, I cut my trip to Tanzania to return with the hope of reconvening the house so that we can discuss this very important issue.

    “We have called that off because events have overtaken it. The government has taken proactive steps; the same we would have taken.

    “We are all on the same page with the President and the government.

    “So I came to fully discuss that with Mr. President and other national issues that require the attention of both the legislature and the executive, and we had very fruitful discussions on those issues.”

    Read Also: Gbajabiamila: ICT tool to fight poverty in Africa

    Asked if there are moves to cut bilateral ties with South Africa, he said: “We are not there yet, but nothing is off the table. We will take each day as it comes.

    “As of now, Mr. President has taken proactive steps in evacuating our citizens, recalling the high commissioner. We will stand with and by Nigerians.

    “We have issued a statement today and it is in tandem with what the executive is doing, and we stand by our citizens.

    “Our priority is to protect the welfare of our citizens, and that is exactly what we are doing, and that is what the President is doing.”

    He said that other issues discussed with the President included returning national budget cycle to January to December, the $9.6 billion judgment against Nigeria and security issues.

    He said: “We discussed the issue of the budget. As you are aware, we want to bring the budget cycle back to what it used to be, January to December, and the only way to do that is for an early presentation of the budget, and we have discussed that.

    “We discussed security issues and the issue of the recent $9 billion damages awarded against Nigeria. I say that with a smile but not really smiling. Clearly we are in opposition to that and steps will be taken.”

    Asked if the budget would get to the National Assembly this month, he said: “I cannot give you a definite answer. But I know the budget is going to come as early as possible. It may be the end of this month or shortly after. I cannot give you a definite date.

    “But it’s going to be an early presentation so that we can pass the budget before the end of the year and return to the January to December cycle.”

     

  • Nigerians rise against attacks on compatriots

    A to Z of some killings in 2019

     

    • February 3: An unnamed Nigerian in his mid-20s was killed by the police
    • March 15: Another unidentified Nigerian, 44, was killed in a drive-by shooting in the in Troye Street, Sunnyside, Pretoria.
    • April 4: Clement Nwaogu in April, a father of two, was burnt to death
    • April 5: Goziem Akpenyi was stabbed to death at Bellville Stadium parking lot in Cape Town at about 1 pm. He was stabbed by three unidentified black South African men after an argument.
    • April 6: Bonny Iwuoha, 48, from Ihitte/Uboma in Imo State, was stabbed to death at about 11:45 pm in Johannesburg. He was trailed from 152 Hay Street Turffontein, and killed him in front of his gate at Turf Road, Turffontein
    • April 9: ThankGod Okoro was also reportedly shot dead in Hamburg, Florida West Rand, Johannesburg by the South African Police Flying Squad
    • April 27: Samuel Nkennaya, 34, was killed because a mob claimed he kidnapped a six-year-old girl. He was mobbed with his friend Chinonso Nwudo outside a supermarket. Nwudo was left in a critical condition
    • April 28: Ebuka Udugbo was allegedly killed by South African Police. The President of the Nigerian Citizens Association South Africa (NICASA), Ben Okoli, said, “The police took his car keys, left the car by the way and drove with him back to his house in the police car along with the girlfriend. He was severely beaten by the cops in his house and he fainted. At this point, the landlord’s son feared and told the police to take him to the hospital.” He was taken to the station instead where the beating continued and he died in the station. The police claimed he committed suicide
    • May 3: Okechukwu Henry, an indigene of Imo State and used car dealer, was stabbed to death by men who posed as customers in Mpumalanga.
    • June 13: Ndubisi-Chukwu, the Deputy Director-General of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), was killed in her hotel room
    • June 14: Maxwell Ikechukwu Okoye died in South Africa after the police invaded his house in Ladysmith in Kwazulu Natal Province. The police claimed he was foaming when they broke into his house. The Consul General of the Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg, Mr Godwin Adama, said Okoye’s home was turned upside down
    • July 6: Mr Ozumba Tochukwu-Lawrence was murdered by an unknown gunman at 10 Koppe, Middleburg, Mpumalanga, South Africa
    • July 12: Mr. Martin Ebuzoeme was killed by unknown assailant. He was killed in Yeoville, Johannesburg around 7:30pm. The killing came barely 24 hours after South African President Cyril Ramaphosa visited Nigeria
    • July 20: Chinonso Obiaju, 17, a Nigerian still in high school was shot dead in Johannesburg around 630pm
    • August: A 46-year-old Nigerian businessman, Pius Ezekwem, was killed in South Africa’s eastern cape province allegedly by a group of eight policemen

     

    *Note: In all, over 118 Nigerians are believed to have been killed between 2016 and 2018 in violent manners. Businesses and properties have either been burnt or looted.

     

    NIGERIANS almost spoke in one voice on Tuesday. All thanks to the fresh attacks on their compatriots in South Africa. Social media platforms, such as twitter, facebook and Instagram, were literally shut down by celebrities and everyday Nigerians condemning the arsons in South Africa.

    Political leaders also called for an end to the attacks.

    From Senate President Ahmad Lawan to Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, the verdict was clear: enough is enough.

    Lawan, in a statement on Tuesday, said Nigeria has had enough of its citizens being targets of these attacks and will no longer tolerate hate crimes in any form against its citizens who are doing legitimate businesses in South Africa.

    Lawan said: “Xenophobic violence is most condemnable anywhere; more so in South Africa, a country whose citizens benefitted from the unwavering support and solidarity of Africans and freedom lovers across the world in their historic struggle against apartheid.

    “More disturbing, however, is that these attacks indicate the neglect of educating the younger generations on the sacrifices that Africans proudly made towards expunging the scourges of colonialism and apartheid from their continent.

    “The enormous contributions of Nigeria to this historic struggle is underscored by its recognition as a frontline state in the prolonged confrontation against the powerful racist regime that had held generations of Southern Africans in bondage and subhuman conditions.

    “This recognition is in spite of the fact that Nigeria does not share geographical borders with the subregion and was far removed from the direct consequences of apartheid.

    Read Also: South Africa: What you need to know about ‘xenophobic attacks’

    “The liberation of South Africa was rightly celebrated across the continent and the Black world as the final emancipation of Africans from colonialism and apartheid.

    “It is, therefore, an unacceptable irony that a section of South Africans would so soon after now, choose other Africans in their country as the targets of mindless violent attacks over frustrations for which the innocent victims have no control.”

    Gbajabiamila said the House may reconvene to discuss the matter after a meeting of the leadership of the House. He said on his twitter handle said: “Will be cutting short my trip to Tanzania for the 50th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference CPA Secretariat and will be leaving today, for the leadership of the House to consider cutting short the recess and reconvening for one day to address the killings of Nigerians in South Africa.

    To his colleague, Chukwuma  Umeoji, the Federal Government should shut down all South African businesses in the country.

    Umeoji, who represents Aguata Federal Constituency of Anambra on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), spoke in Abuja on Tuesday.

    Nollywood actress Funke Akindele wrote: “This is so sad. Why? Must violence be the solution to every problem? I woke up to horrific pictures and videos of our countrymen being attacked and killed. This has to stop o!!!

    “We all are out there hustling to put food on our tables! Why the killings. I appeal to the Nigerian government to see to the immediate end of this. All lives matter! #saynotoxenophobia .”

    EbonyLife Tv CEO Mo Abudu wrote: “The xenophobic attacks happening in South Africa right now is complete and misplaced anger. We owe it to ourselves as Africans to unite. It’s the only way forward.”

    On-air-personality Toke Makinwa described the attacks as a huge blow on Africa as a continent. She called for peace and urged all concerned to ensure the safety of lives and properties.

     

  • Gbajabiamila leads delegation to Commonwealth conference

    THE Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila is leading the Nigerian delegation to the 50th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), Africa Region conference taking place in Zanzibar, Tanzania from September 1. A statement signed by Lanre Lasisi , his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity further reads: “Members of the Nigerian delegation include the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege and lawmakers from both chambers of the National Assembly.

    “The 50th Conference, with the theme ‘E-Parliament: Seamless Platform for Facilitating Democracy’ will feature discussions at plenary sessions on different categories such as ‘Parliamentary Affairs: The use of ICT in strengthening public involvement in the Legislative Process,’ and Social Affairs: The use of Social Media in enhancing Parliamentarians’ Constituency engagement.’ Other categories are Gender Affairs: Empowerment of Women: Strategies to enable Women’s participation in decision making; Youth Affairs: Implementation of Youth Policies as a tool to combat Migration.

    Read Also: Kudos for Gbajabiamila on NDDC Committee Chair

    “The rest of the categories for discussion at the conference include Economic Affairs: Enhancing Information and Communication Technolgy (ICT) use in providing life-changing solutions in rural communities, and Political Affairs: The role of technology in developing democratic practices.” Speaking on the conference, Speaker Gbajabiamila according to the statement said the CPA platform would be maximized by the Nigerian delegation towards enhancing the country’s democracy and deepening cooperation with member countries to strengthen democracy in Africa.

  • Port Concession an impediment to eastern ports’ development?

    At the last week’s House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee Public hearing, the Nigeria Ports Authority was fingered as being responsible for the underutilisation of eastern ports, reports MUYIWA LUCAS.

    The port reform agenda was well thought out, or so it seemed. Therefore, when the Federal Government  opted to concession the ports in 2006, it was heralded as one initiative that would make the seaports more efficient, effective and attract more cargoes.

    Obviously taking pride in the growth that followed this process, in terms of cargo inflow, resulting in an all-time high of 84.9 million metric tonnes in 2014, the sharp slump in cargo inflow throughput to the lowest volume of 35.9 million metric tonnes in 2018 left many wondering as to the type of economic growth this was. Certainly, this development was an anti-climax for an industry that is regarded as having the capability to compete with the oil sector in terms of revenue generation.

    Lagos Ports at breaking point

    The failure to achieve at least an average capacity utilisation of the eastern ports, has no doubt contributed to the hardship being experienced in Lagos ports of Apapa and Tin Can. This perhaps explains why the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, described the two port complexes as being “overwhelmed and attained breaking points.”

    Gbajabiamila regretted that the Lagos ports were overstretched beyond their capacities and needed the support of other ports for ease of doing business. However, for various reasons, the Speaker’s dream of the eastern ports complementing Lagos ports may, for the time being, remain mere wishful thinking.

    Capacity, dredging issues, and blame game

    For many, the question to be asked, is “why the  inland port complexes in Warri, Calabar, Onitsha, Port Harcourt and Onne failed to provide alternative or even consummate services to aid decongestion of the Lagos ports complexes?”  

    A stakeholder in the industry of over 25 years blamed the situation on some of the concessionaires, who he accused of not having the capacity to attract growth to the port con-cessioned to them. The stakeholder, who craved for anonymity, said the concession agreements needed to be made more open for stakeholders to see and understand so as to know when and where anyone is acting in breach. He further revealed that aside shallow depths, concessionaires made no move to open talks with shippers on why their ports should be used.

    The source further revealed that lack of critical equipment for cargo handling is the bane of ports in the East.

    Besides, the NPA was also accused of being a landlord, operator and regulator, whereas no one regulates the authority in its dealings with concessionaires. The source said the NPA, through its failure to fulfil the government’s aspect of the concession agreement, such as maintaining common use facilities — access roads, power, pilotage — and other responsibilities, has made operation a difficult one for concessionaires.

    He said with the global industry embracing bigger vessels with capacity for carrying 20,000 Tonnes Equivalent Unit (TEU) containers, at once, there was an urgent need for the constant clearing of the water channels and dredging to accommodate such bigger vessels. Wrecks in the belly of waters leading to eastern ports have been impeding navigation along that area.

    “It is sad that despite the reported increased revenue by the NPA, the authority has not done much in the area of dredging for ease of navigation. Contracts awarded by NPA were given to incompetent firms on the grounds of suspected political patronage and some have led to ongoing litigation, “ the source said.

    Mr. Christian Holm, managing director of Hull Blyth Nigeria Limited, agreed that Nigeria seaports lacked the capacity to handle bigger vessels because of infrastructure decay.  He said the ports were far from being modernised and incapable of accommodating bigger vessels and process cargoes in good time, noting that poorly-developed ports would attract smaller vessels and increase cost of shipping.

    But NPA Managing Director Ms Hadiza Bala-Usman said the authority had dredged Escravos Channel leading to Delta ports from 3.4 to seven meters to accommodate bigger vessels.

    Represented at the public hearing by the NPA Executive Director in charge of Engineering and Technical Services, Idris Abubakar, an engineer, Ms Usman said the Escravos Channel was last dredged 35 years ago before her administration embarked on it.

    She further revealed that aside reduction in terminal charges to encourage patronage of the ports, her administration had embarked on corporate social responsibility to alleviate the plights of host communities and encourage entrepreneurship. She told the lawmakers that the distances from fairway buoys in eastern ports were much longer than that of Lagos ports and would require vessels in eastern ports to deploy more fuel and spend more time before berthing. Ms Usman added that the breakwater in Warri Port had given way while roads leading to the ports in various parts of the country required attention of the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing.

    The many troubles of eastern ports

    But for the President, Association of Maritime Journalists of Nigeria, Paul Ogbuokiri, the underutilisa-tion of the eastern ports has, to a large extent, become a disadvantage to the gains the country ought  to reap from the port concession programme. He regretted that the Apapa and Tin Can Island ports had been experiencing traffic congestion due to increasing cargo throughput, occasioned by the 2006 port reform carried out by the Federal Government. Ogbuokiri submitted that inactivity and or underutilisation of the five seaports and the Ontisha River Port that make up the eastern ports was the reason for the over utilisation of Lagos seaports.

    In his paper at the public hearing, Ogbuokiri noted that if the eastern ports, comprising Warri Port and Koko Port (otherwise known as Delta Ports Complex); Port Harcourt Port, Onne Port and Calabar Port and the Ontisha River Port, were fully functional, there wouldn’t be gridlock, logistics-cum cargo congestion at Lagos ports.

    He said it was worthy to note that the Nigerian Civil War, government preference of Lagos ports for the importation of certain goods, insurgency-cum host community sabotage and past NPA management’s lip-service to dredging port channels and upgrading of old port infrastructure were key factors that had made it impossible for the country to maximise the use of eastern ports.

    “So, as the names of the eastern ports are different, so are their challenges; some related, some unrelated,” Ogbuokiri noted.

    He is right. The eastern ports, after the port concession in 2006, consist of 15 terminals: Port Harcourt Terminal A, concessioned to Ports & Terminal Operators Nigeria Limited; Port Harcourt Terminal B, concessioned to Bua Ports & Terminals Limited; Onne FOT A, concessioned to Intels Nigeria Limited; Onne FLT A, concessioned to Brawal Oil Services Limited; Onne FLT B, concessioned to Intels Nigeria Limited; Jetty FOT, Onne; conces-sioned to Atlas Cement Company Limited; Calabar New Terminal A, concessioned to Intels Nigeria Limited; Calabar New Terminal B, concessioned to Ecomarine; Calabar New Terminal C, concessioned to Addax Logistics Nigeria Limited; Warri Old Terminal A, concessioned to Intels Nigeria Limited; Warri Old Port Terminal B, concessioned to Associated Maritime Services Limited.

    Others are Warri New Terminal A, concessioned to Global Infrastructure Nigeria Limited; Warri New Terminal B, Concessioned to Intels Nigeria Limited; Warri Terminal C, con-cessioned to Julius Berger Plc and Koko Terminal, formally conces-sioned to Gulftainer Limited, now Sifax Group for 25 years. The Onitsha River Port is yet to be concessioned.

    Different strokes for different folks

    The challenges besetting these ports vary. For instance, the Calabar port is said to have a major problem of its shallow depth. This is futher worsened by its collapsed quay apron and dilapidated access roads. For Onne port, its major problem is the port access road which is in very bad shape, just as the port also needs rail connection. Port Harcourt port suffers mainly from the collapse of quay apron and the poor access roads.

    According to Ogbuokiri, since the construction of the Onitsha River Port to lighten cargoes from Apapa and Port Harcourt to terminal with the aim of serving the shippers in Ontisha, Nnewi and other surrounding towns, it has not been operationalised, even after the completion of the dredging of the River Niger to Baro in Niger State. Owing to this, the AMJON president submitted before the committee that no fewer than 754 vessels are said to have deserted the Eastern ports between 2013 and 2016. Specifically, the number of vessels that berthed at the ports reduced from 2,268 vessels in 2013 to 1,514 in 2016.

    According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the number of vessels that berthed at the Delta port fell from 609 in 2013 to 433 in 2016, while the Gross Registered Tonnage at the port also dropped from 8,687,160 in 2013 to 6,177,809 in 2016.

    Hopeful investors?

    Notwithstanding the problems, investors seem to be hopeful that cargoes from Lagos ports, due to the congestion western ports face, would one day be diverted to them.

    For instance, the West Africa Container Terminal (WACT), at the Onne Port has invested $3.5 million in container handling equipment such as five reach stackers, two empty handlers and 14 terminal trucks. It also invested $10 million in two mobile harbour cranes to better serve its customers. Also, to complement the investment of terminal operators and to attract cargoes to eastern ports, the NPA introduced a rebate – a 10 per cent discount on harbour dues – in concessioned terminals at eastern ports. The NPA said the ports that would be affected by this initiative were: Calabar, Rivers and Delta ports.

  • ‘Lagos ports are not congested’

    In a swift reaction to the sub-missions of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, at the public hearing of the House Ad Hoc Committee on eastern ports, where he described the two Lagos ports as being “overwhelmed and have attained breaking points,” the Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN) has said the Apapa and the Tin Can Island ports are not congested.

    The body, in a statement obtained by The Nation, said both ports were operating at less than 70 percent capacity. The association said the major challenges facing the ports were the access roads, which are severely dilapidated.

    STOAN spokesman Bolaji Akinola, in the statement, said: “It is important to correct the understanding of the public about the ports. The hinterland infrastructure leading to the ports in Lagos, namely the roads, are at breaking points. The ports are not congested and are not at breaking points.

    “Most of the terminals in the two ports are operating below capacity. The busiest terminals are operating at less than 70 percent at the yard and 60 percent at berth. So there is no port congestion anywhere as of today,” he explained.

    Akinola said the ports in Lagos have capacity to handle cargoes beyond the volume they were handling, if the government pays attention to dilapidated port access roads, in addition to ending the manual handling of cargo clearing processes by the Nigeria Customs Service. He said port operation was not about the size, but about the efficiency of connecting facilities around the port.

    “I think the major problem we have at hand is that successive governments allowed the port access roads to degenerate so bad. The two main entry routes into the Lagos ports are the Ijora-Wharf Road and the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway. The Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, which is the major road to the ports with six lanes, has packed up several years ago. Every petroleum tanker, port truck and trucks belonging to the many manufacturing concerns in Apapa now use the narrow Ijora-Wharf Road, which is not even in a perfect state also. This has resulted in the inevitable chaos we see on the roads. If these roads are repaired as they should be, the chaos will disappear,” Akinola said.

    He also said ports in other parts of the country were not immune to the challenges of bad road. For instance, he said the Onitsha River Port, recently constructed by the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), was not functional because of bad roads.

    “Also, if you visit the ports in Rivers State – Onne and Port Harcourt Ports – and the ones in Delta State, it is the same story of dilapidated roads. The roads are bad and trucks spend several hours trying to get in and out of the ports,” the STOAN Spokesman further said.

    He called on the Federal Government to embark on “urgent comprehensive repairs” of the roads leading to all ports in the country, especially Lagos ports. He also tasked the government on the provision of functional truck parks in Apapa to stop trucks from parking on the roads and impeding the flow of traffic’’.

     

  • Edo Assembly crisis: Clark warns against anarchy

    IJAW Leader Chief Edwin Clark has disagreed with the Senate’s position on the Edo State Assembly crisis. Clark claimed that the order for Governor Godwin Obaseki to issue a fresh proclamation was unconstitutional and wrong.

    He, therefore, warned the National Assembly against creating anarchy in the state.

    This is the second time the elder statesman would be reacting to the position of the National Assembly. Last week, he wrote to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, to rescind his directive that Obaseki should issue a fresh proclamation.

    Clark, in his letter to the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, noted that Section 101 of the Constitution allows every Legislature to adopt its own house rules. He, therefore, said the situation in Edo has not gotten to one in which the National Assembly will invoke the constitution.

    The former National Commissioner also disagreed with the Senate, saying Section 105 (3) rests the exclusive prerogative of that function squarely on the governor. Consequently, he said the senate was totally wrong to have directed the governor to issue a fresh proclamation after the first one.

    He said: “I stressed the issue of the House’ inability to function as a sine qua none, defeating any pretence of the House of Representatives to interfere. Rather than abate, it appears that the House of Representatives went on to recruit the Senate, or the Red Chamber saw a competitive angle in the matter and plunged in, head first, eyes closed, to complement the House of Representatives in the perverse onslaught in the Edo State governance structure. The Senate seems not aware of, or is too possessed of a mindset that blinds it against the many provisions in the Constitution which supersedes the fact that the two components of the National Assembly working in tandem on the Edo State project.

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    “For the avoidance of any doubt, I ask the National Assembly to take into consideration Section 11 (4), which states that “At any time when any House of Assembly of a state is unable to perform its functions by reasons of the situation prevailing in that state, the National Assembly may make such laws for the peace, order and good governance with respect to matters on which a House of Assembly may make laws as may appear to the National Assembly to be necessary or expedient until such time as the House of Assembly is able to resume its functions; and any such laws enacted by the National Assembly pursuant to this section shall have effect as if they were laws enacted by the House of Assembly of the state: provided that nothing in this section shall be construed as conferring on the National Assembly power to remove the Governor or the Deputy Governor of the State from office…”

    “It is unconstitutional and wrong for the National Assembly to “order, direct” the Edo State Governor to issue a fresh proclamation. Section 3 places such activity squarely on the Exclusive List.

    “The Edo State House of Assembly at present is functioning properly, and in fact, has gone to court to challenge the action of the 16 elected members who were not present at the inauguration, who in fact, were not yet members of the Edo State House of Assembly, because, they were not been sworn in by the elected Speaker of the House.”

  • Kudos for Gbajabiamila on NDDC Committee Chair

    The Forum of Akoko in Diaspora (FAD) has hailed the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila for appointing a fellow Akoko man, Bunmi Tunji-Ojo, as the chairman, House Committee on  Niger Delta Development Commission  (NDDC).

    A statement signed by the group’s General Secretary, Taiwo Ogidan, showered appreciation on Gbajabiamila and other members of the House Selection Committee for counting Tunji-Ojo worthy of his new national legislative assignment.

    The statement also expressed implicit faith in the ability of Tunji-Ojo not to disappoint and live up to expectations in his new responsibilities.

    “We are nonetheless very confident that Hon. Tunji-Ojo will succeed on his newly assigned responsibility. He is someone that is known to be very hardworking, innovative, cerebrally gifted and of very versatile mind.”

    The statement, however, informed that the group has dispatched a letter to Tunji-Ojo to remind him of the onerous nature of his additional oversight functions.

    It added that regular reminder would be sent to the Akoko born lawmaker on the need to ensure that deserved benefits of oil derivation get to the people of mandate areas.

  • Gbajabiamila names chairmen of 109 standing committees

    House of Representatives Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila on Thursday announced the chairmen of the 109 standing committees.

    The House also resolved to proceed on a two-month recess to resume on September 7.

    But the names of many prominent lawmakers, including that of the Director General of the Gbajabiamila/Wase Campaign Organisation, Abdulmumin Jibrin, former Speaker Yakubu Dogaram were also missing from the list.

    After the announcement, Gbajabiamila appealed to those who did not make the list to take it in good faith.

    Wale Raji (APC, Lagos) is Chairman, Committee on Services; Abdulrazak Namdas (Army); Aliyu Betara (APC, Borno) Chairman, Committee on Appropriations.

    Abiodun Faleke (APC, Lagos) is Chairman, House Committee on Finance; Pascal Obi (Health Institutions); Luke Onofiok (Federal Judiciary); Akin Adeyemi (Communications); Jimi Benson (Defence); Wole Oke (PDP, Osun) is Chairman, Public Accounts; Abdullahi Bago (APC, Niger), who contested against Gbajabiamila, is Chairman, House Committee on African Integration and Cooperation.

    Jerry Alagbasowas (Public Petitions); Nasir Daura (Interior); Aisha Dukku (Electoral Matters); Yusuf Buba (Foreign Affairs); Tunji Ojo (Niger Delta Development Commission); Tajudeen Abbas (Land Transport) and Johnson Ogbuma (Environment).

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    Lynda Ikpeazu (Maritime Administration & Education); Mohammed Jega (Internally Displaced Persons); Jonathan Gaza (Legislative Budget & Research); Yusuf Kila (Customs); Hadija Bukar Ibrahim (Northeast Development Commission); Munir Baba (Agricultural Production) and Adamu Faggae (Constituency Outreach).

    Others are: Nicholas Mutu (Gas); Victor Nwokolo (Banking & Currency); Bello Kumo (Police); Garba Datti (Ports & Harbours) and Ibrahim Babagida (Capital Markets).

    Others include Abubakar Ado (Information); Mustapha Dawaki (Housing); Yemi Adaramodu (Youth Development); Olumide Osoba (Sports) and Abdullahi Salami (Poverty Alleviation).

    Kabir Idris (Civil Society); Femi Fakeye (Commerce); Ifeanyi Momah (FCT Judiciary); Abubakar Kabir (Works); Benjamin Kalu (Media) and Nwokocha Darlington (Insurance).