The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Hon. Yakubu Dogara

  • Resident Doctors suspend proposed strike

    Resident Doctors suspend proposed strike

    The proposed indefinite strike by the National Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria (NARD) scheduled to commence Thursday, has been suspended for one week to allow the House of Representatives intervene between them and the executive.

    This reprieve was sequel to a meeting between the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Yakubu Dogara and the National Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria, NARD,

    The meeting was convened at Dogara’s instance and presided over by him according to a statement issued by his spokesman Turaki Hassan in Abuja.

    The suspension was sequel to the meeting between the association’s executive members, the Speaker and chairmen of relevant House Committees in his office.

    Dogara while speaking asked for a week for the House to meet with the Minister of Health and fashion out ways to meet the demands of the resident doctors and address lingering grievances.

    According to him, democracy is about the well-being of the citizens, and he further appealed to the association to understand that the country is presently going through financial challenges.

    Dogara said, “It doesn’t matter what faith you profess, for instance, it is clearly stated in the Holy Bible that a labourer should be paid his wages even before his sweat dries.

    “I believe that as a responsible government we know this. It is not like we don’t know. But as to challenges facing you, these are not things that we had discussed before, I only heard through the briefings I was given.

    “If it is possible for you to open this window for us in the immediate to call on relevant persons who are in charge of this, in conjuction, of course, with active participation of your good selves, the relevant committees of the House, so we can sit at a table like this.

    “I can sit down with the chairmen of committees, some members of the relevant committees, with your good selves and members of the ministry and they can bring these issues so we’ll understand why someone will work for four to eight months and not be paid. What is the problem? And then, we will attempt to address these issues together and if it doesn’t work, we can’t stop you from venting your anger and expressing your grievances.

    I appeal to you to give us till next week when I hope we will be able to invite them and we will sit down together and iron out the issues.”

    “Imagine a situation where all the resident doctors in Nigeria are on strike, what will happen to the people we represent? Democracy’s first promise is life, thereafter liberty, the third promise is the pursuit of happiness. And all of them rest on each other, if you don’t have life, then you cannot begin to talk of liberty, if you don’t have liberty then you cannot begin to talk about happiness.

    “So, ultimately, all the three hang on life. When there is no life, there is nothing, democracy is useless because a dead man doesn’t have liberty.

    “So for us, democracy itself is life and when you ignore sectors that provide these very essential services that support the health of our people, then we are even scouring democracy itself and its promises and so I agree with you entirely.

    “It should be the responsibility of government, actually, to ensure that those who are rendering services, those who are working, providing the vents by which the nation moves, should be able to enjoy not just their salaries, but every other benefit surrounding their scheme of service.”

    Dogara lamented that the wealth of Nigeria has shrunk due to decreased crude oil income and that it’s affecting the ability for government to deliver on its responsibilities.

    The National President, Dr. Muhammad Askira, has earlier informed the Speaker that members of the association have not been paid salaries and other entitlements for several months.

  • Reps to introduce e-parliament – Dogara

    Electronic voting system in the conduct of activities of the House of Representatives would soon be the order of the day, according to plans by the Speaker, Hon. Yakubu Dogara.

    The Speaker recently announced that in compliance with the Legislative Agenda of the 8th Assembly the House would
    adopt the e-voting system in its operations.

    “Consequently, forms have been distributed to individual members to collate their data ahead of production of e-voting cards to all the 360 MPs,” a statement by the Special Adviser (Media & Public Affairs) Turaki Hassan said.

    It further states: “The implication of the new system is that records of each member’s punctuality and voting patterns can easily be accessed by his/her constituents and members of
    the public.

    The Legislative Agenda as adopted by the 8th Assembly last year states: “The 8th House commits to the use of ICT in the
    daily conduct of legislative activities of the House. E-parliament and e-voting platforms will be made a regular feature of the House.

    “E-voting will be used regularly during voting to properly reflect voting records of Members and parliamentary
    accountability. The House shall collaborate with relevant
    stakeholders to achieve the goal of an e-parliament.”

    According to the statement, other initiatives that will be introduced include the establishment and equipping of a
    Parliamentary Information Centre where information and documents of the National Assembly will be made available.

    The introduction of the e-voting and e- parliament will further increase citizens access to the legislature and solve the
    problem of public access to authentic documents of parliament, the statement said.

    According to the statement, the e-parliament initiative is expected to operate on the platform of modern, up-to-date digital technology, and Internet and intranet access supported by computerized legislative information management system is also be put in

  • Reps may reduce age for eligibility into elective offices – Dogara

    Reps may reduce age for eligibility into elective offices – Dogara

    The reduction of age for eligibility into elective offices will be considered in the next constitution amendment to allow youths to participate fully  in the political process., the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Yakubu Dogara has said.

    Dogara who made the disclosure while Speaking with students from various universities across the country at the National Assembly, also charged youths to participate more actively in politics by breaking voters’ apathy, and electing leaders who will secure their future and interests.

    His words: “I am acutely aware that young people often find themselves on the fringes of the political process. We need to develop a structured manner of involving our students and youths in the political process. I think it may not be out of place to lower the age qualification for certain elective offices in the next constitutional amendment exercise.”

    He said political apathy among young people, is translating to low voters’ turnout, adding that such an attitude must change.

    “Many young people are not involved in voting during elections which threatens the representative nature of our democratic institutions,

    “This country belongs to you but it’s under the stranglehold of men and women of a generation that have overreached itself. The truth is that nothing will be ceded or conceded to your generation without a fight. In this endeavor, your voices mean nothing if you don’t have the votes.

    “Therefore, all students in Nigeria must not only register to vote and cast their votes during elections, they must also ensure that their votes, count. There is  no other better way by which you will earn respect for yourselves and ensure that the gifts you have taken to the university to polish ultimately benefit your generation.”

    Dogara however urged the students to seek a balance between student unionism, activism and academic excellence.

    “Young students like you possess abundance of passion, drive and the spirit of adventure thus risk taking comes naturally to the young. The idealism of youth must, however, be tempered by the need to excel academically in school. Any student who places activism over academics will sooner than later be left behind by his classmates. You must therefore strike the right balance between activism and academic and social progress.”

    “I believe strongly that the culture of peaceful protest, demonstrations and general activism is not only necessary in a democratic state but is in fact a constitutional right. This ensures accountability of government to the people. Resistance to tyranny, crusade for justice and good governance require courage, patriotism and ideological purity.

    “It was Martin Luther King, Jnr, who said that: “freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor, it must be demanded by the oppressed”. Indeed, ‘the man dies in all who keep silent in the face of tyranny’, to paraphrase Prof Wole Soyinka. The culture of protest that I endorse must be uncompromisingly peaceful and non-violent. It must be based on selflessness and not aided by ambition or corruption. It must be for the right reasons and procured only by the purest of motives.

    “It must not be based on propaganda and misinformation. It must be non-partisan. Students should never allow themselves to be used by politicians to score political points or by state or non-state actors to pick sour grapes on their behalf.”

    On the issue of youth unemployment, the Speaker assured the students that the House takes youth unemployment in Nigeria as a top priority “which is why as part of the Sectoral Debates of the House of Representatives, it is engaging the executive on how to diversify the economy and create jobs for our people.”

    The Senate leader, Senator Ali Ndume who represented the Senate President Bukola Saraki said it was important for the students to learn the workings of the Parliament

    He added that Leadership begins at the level of the students. The young ones, he said, are the leaders of tomorrow and hope of the country. He urged them not to be derailed.

  • We will reexamine the budget – Dogara

    We will reexamine the budget – Dogara

    The House of Representatives has resolved to review the controversial 2016 budget.

    This is contrary to the position of the Senate on Tuesday that foreclosed a revisit of the document.

    The decision was announced by the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara after a two hour executive session where various opinions were said to have been raised.

    Dogara said the decision of the House was necessitated by the prevailing economic situation facing the country.

    “In view of the prevailing economic situation and in the interest of our people, we have resolved to reexamine the budget with a view of ironing out any differences with the executive.

    “This is for the overall interest of the country in order to have a workable budget that is implementable.”

     

  • Dogara lauds Tinubu At 64

    Dogara lauds Tinubu At 64

    ‎The Speaker of the House of Representatives,  Hon Yakubu Dogara, has ‎described former Lagos State governor and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as a formidable political force who has brought changes to the political landscape of Nigeria.

    The Speaker said this in a press statement issued by his spokesman, Mr Turaki Hassan, to congratulate  Asiwaju Tinubu on the occasion of his 64th birthday.

    According to him, the entire House of Representatives is also using the opportunity to salute Tinubu for being a great leader who has attained milestones in Nigeria.

    His words: “On this joyous occasion of your birthday, we in the House of Representatives, salute you, great leader, for the milestones you have attained in Nigeria.

    “Your feats are bold and exceptional; from business to governance and politics. As a governor, you made sweeping reforms that till date, your successors are still building on and making Lagos State proud.

    “In politics, you have been a formidable force, helping to put together a great political party that won power at the centre in Nigeria. You have proved to be a true hero of democracy, a light that cannot be concealed!

    “As you mark yet another year, my prayer for you is that God will continue to consolidate your efforts and crown them all with success.”

  • Reps probe loss of over N49 trillion in mining sector

    Reps probe loss of over N49 trillion in mining sector

    Why is Nigeria earning a paltry N31.449 billion annually from the solid mineral sector when it could actually earn as much as N50 trillion?

    This is the mystery the House of Representatives resolved to solve as it braces to probe the loss of almost N50 trillion annually in the mining sector.

    The House Tuesday mandated its Committee on Solid Minerals Development to Invite all stakeholders involved in the process of mapping, licensing, mining and exportation of solid minerals in order to determine the extent of compliance with the Mining Act, 2007.

    The resolution of the House was after the prayers of a motion by a member, Hon. Lovette Ederin Idisi with the title: “Call for an End to the Violation of the Mining Act of 2007 by Mining Companies, Individuals and Regulatory Bodies,” was adopted.

    According to the House, the committee should also determine the number of licensed miners against the number of unlicensed miners and the number of prosecutions, if any commenced and convictions secured with regard to the violations of the Act.

    The committee will again ascertain the data and value of exploited and exported solid minerals and where they are located, and report back to the House within four (4) weeks, for further legislative action.

    Idisi while moving the motion claimed “that illegal mining and exportation of gold and barites are going on in the country in clear violation of section 7 of the Act, which requires any person wishing to export solid minerals to obtain a permit.”

    He noted that the Mining Act of 2007 which repealed the Minerals and Mining Act, No. 34 of 1999, prohibits unauthorized exploration/exploitation of solid minerals in the country and vests on the Federal Government, the responsibility of implementing the provisions of the Act by creating an enabling environment for the exploration, exploitation and sustainable development of these resources for the benefit of the Nation.

    The lawmaker further said he was “also aware of other solid minerals deposits in many States of the Federation, ranging from 10 million tons of lead and zinc to be found in about eight (8) States; 7.5 million tons of bentonite and barte in Taraba and Bauchi States; limestone deposits in about eight (8) States; coal deposits in Enugu and some other States; wolframite in Kano, manganese in Kebbi, Katsina and Zamfara States; not to talk of Nasarawa States, which alone, has about twenty-nine (29) solid minerals deposits.”

    He said that a report of the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative/Central Bank of Nigeria (NEITI/CBN) states “that the total revenue from the solid minerals sector in 2012 amounted to N31.449 billion, whereas the country should be making as much as N50 trillion annually if all the natural resources are properly tapped and where the small, medium and large scale miners have their transactions properly recorded.”

    He expressed concern about the huge disparity in the records of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) which put the value of the exported solid minerals at N577,768,456 worth of 9,068,70 tons by 15 companies while the Nigerian Customs Service put its own at N11,496,070, 69 worth of 7,107,099,80 tons by 30 companies:

    He deplored the flagrant neglect and breach of the Mining Act of 2007 which he said has made the country to lose trillions of naira “at a time when it is in dire need of funds to build its infrastructure and carry out other responsibilities of governance.”

    While citing examples he said that bitumen is one solid mineral which deposits in the country could double that of crude oil, “yet most of the bitumen used in road construction in the country are imported, a scenario which has led to the country losing billions of Naira annually.”

    When the Speaker, Hon. Yakubu Dogara called for a vote on the matter, the motion was supported by majority of members at plenary.

  • Commonwealth honours Dogara for passing 130 bills in a day

    Commonwealth honours Dogara for passing 130 bills in a day

    The Royal Commonwealth Society Nigeria on Thursday, honoured the Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, with Commonwealth Ambassador’s Award for leading the legislators to pass 130 bills in a day.

    The Vice President of the association, Mr Abdullahi Faruk, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the 2016 Commonwealth Day Celebration in Abuja that the feat was novel.

    NAN reports that a total of 130 bills passed first reading at the House of Representatives on Dec. 10, 2015, a development Dogara, described as “unprecedented”.

    “We looked at the antecedents of the person of Yakubu Dogara, how he has taken the mantle of legislative leadership.

    “We looked at how he has, for the very first time, introduced over 100 bills in one day for the legislators to deliberate for the good of Nigerians.

    “We looked at the feat, it is an all-inclusive kind of governance for Nigerian people and he deserved that recognition and that is why the Commonwealth gave him that recognition.”

    Faruk, however, said that the recognition given to the Speaker was to ensure that he continued to deliver for the good of the Nigerian people.

    The Chairperson, House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Mrs Nnenna Ukeje-Elendu, who represented Dogara, told NAN that Nigeria had benefitted a lot from her membership of the Commonwealth.

    “The Commonwealth gives us another opportunity and platform where we can converse about Nigeria outside of the United Nations and other international organisations that we belong to.

    “This opportunity is such that grows and emancipates our people and deepens our democracy,” she said.

    Ukeje-Elendu noted that Nigeria, as the largest country and the largest economy in Africa, could not live in isolation in a world that had become increasingly without borders.

    She explained that Nigeria was indeed recognised and affirmed by those international institutions it belonged to as the “giant of Africa”.

    “The Commonwealth is an association of people who have filial, historical affinities and is a platform where we can actually speak on the issues that matter to us most.

    “These issues are freedom, gender equality, global and security, and bridging the gap of poverty, diversification, creating platform for trade and to speak about the things that affect us.”

  • Reps to investigate N10bn Non-Remittance by NIMASA

    Reps to investigate N10bn Non-Remittance by NIMASA

    The House of Representatives Wednesday mandated its Committee on Maritime Safety, Administration and Education to investigate the claim of non-remittance and under-remittance of 3% levy, 2% surcharge and other revenues due and collectible by NIMASA.

    The alleged non- remitted levy and surcharge which is in excess of $10 billion is over an 8 year period.

    The House committee is also to obtain inputs from maritime stakeholders on the matter for the purpose of recovery and improvement of operational efficiency, Cleaner Ocean and safer shipping as stipulated in the International Maritime Organization (IMO) charter and the NIMASA Act.

    Besides these, the committee will consider and track various implementations and compliance by both NIMASA and various stakeholders with the NIMASA Act of 2007 and the Cabotage Act of 2003, and other related matters, and report back to the house within six (6) weeks for further legislative action.

    The resolutions of the House was sequel to the passage of a motion titled: ” Call for Investigation of Revenue Leakages and Operational Deficiencies in the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA),” sponsored by a member, Hon. Chukwudi Jones Onyereri:

    The lawmaker while moving the motion noted that the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has the responsibility of ensuring cleaner, and safer shipping, capacity building and superintending the maritime safety, administration and security in Nigeria;

    ” Over the years, NIMASA has been very ineffective in the execution of its mandate, a situation that has resulted in financial leakages, maritime insecurity and operational decline of the agency.”

    He said there were “cases of revenue losses arising from leakages in 3% levy on wet and dry cargoes, 2% surcharge and other revenue sources conservatively put at $10 billion, over a period of 8 years.

    “Also aware that export liftings of crude oil by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and IOC’s which are based on the Free on Board (FOB) instead of Cost, Insurance and Freight (CIF) charges are carried out without interface with NIMASA for the purpose of enforcing the payments of the 3% levy.”

    He therefore expressed concerned about unauthorized midstream discharges of cargoes by IOC’s and oil servicing companies, which enables the evasion of the payment of levies to thrive, thereby depriving the country of revenues.

    Onyereri said the benchmark approach to the 3% levy payment for both dry and wet cargoes has further contributed to under-billing of the 3% levy due to lack of disclosure of the actual earnings by shipping companies;

    ” The Cabotage Act of 2003 aimed at promoting indigenous participation in coastal trade is being threatened by the activities of vessels on temporary importation license;

    “The 2% Cabotage surcharge and cabotage waiver fees meant to fund the Cabotage Vessel Finance Fund (CVFF) for indigenous capacity building are being evaded by the IOC’s and other major foreign shipping Companies operating in the Country, ” he said.

    The lawmaker expressed concern that the nefarious activities of oil drilling and dredging companies have escaped compliance due to frivolous waivers granted them by NIMASA, which have led to willful default, neglect and outright revenue evasion.

    “Lack of disclosure by NIMASA of the marine spread of the IOC’s contracts with their oil servicing contractors also contributed to the revenue leakages,” he said.

    The motion was supported by members when the Speaker, Hon. Yakubu Dogara called for a voice vote.

  • Poor leadership under developing Africa – Dogara

    Poor leadership under developing Africa – Dogara

    The Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, on Tuesday, said poor leadership was one of the causes of underdevelopment in Africa.

    He made this known when he received the Ambassador of Sudan, Mr Ibrahim Busha in Abuja.

    He added that the reliance on aids from the western world had left Africans more impoverished than before.

    Dogara said that unless African leaders begun to practice governance which put Africans first, the development the continent needed would take a little longer to be realised.

    He added that “I sincerely believe that for us to make progress, leadership in Africa must be for the people. If we do that, there is no limit to the potential of an African.

    “Unfortunately, we have been locked in a situation whereby leadership and governance as it is practised has only tied us to aids from the western world.

    “Instead of looking inwards, we always look outwards to aids that come to Africa and most of these aids have some strings attached.

    “The aids tend to imprison and impoverish our people more than liberating them and putting them on the ladder of economic prosperity.”

    The speaker said Africa needed to provide quality leadership to the people to eradicate poverty and for economic growth and prosperity.

    “That is something we can do when we further our cooperation and deepen our relationship with countries that occupy leading positions in Africa,” he noted.

    ‎Dogara said this was one of the ways through which the continent could achieve its goals of development, stressing that “going forward, there are many things we can do to provide quality leadership that Africa needs for its progress.”

    He assured the ambassador that the House of Representatives would work on agreements and treaties between the two countries that would benefit Nigerians.

    “I am aware of the diverse agreements ‎that we have signed. From your own side of the divide, you have even gone further to establish a special implementation committee with regards to agreements signed with Nigeria.

    “Unfortunately, it has not been done here but we are doing everything possible to ensure that we get it off the ground so that we can work hard toward implementing those agreements.”

    Responding, Busha assured the Federal Government of the Sudanese government’s support.

  • APC Scandinavia blame budget missing, padding on Politicians

    APC Scandinavia blame budget missing, padding on Politicians

    The Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC) in Scandinavia, Ayoola Lawal, has condemned the controversies trailing the 2016 Budget since it was presented to the senate.

    According to him, the controversies can be linked to the unimaginable wicked corruption and power play that are currently in play in the country.

    His words: To start with, to the nation’s consternation, the Senate announced that the Nigeria budget document for 2016 was nowhere to be found in the hallowed chamber where it was kept. This sort has never been heard in the history of Nigeria.

    “However, the Speaker of House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara made it known that the copy of the document in his own chamber was intact.”

    Ayoola noted that all these discrepancies observed, resurfaced with the budget when it was later found.

    “The Senate observed that there were differences between its copy and the one in the House of Representatives, which indicates that something was wrong somewhere.

    “The budget missing, padding and doctoring is so shameful to the entire Nigerians both home and in the diaspora.

    “It is obvious that the budget will not be passed except the discrepancies are sorted appropriately and this is hurting to the economy and the masses.

    “The ways and manners the senate and the judiciary is handling the collective affairs of our nation is bugaboo and this call for urgent attention,” he said.

    Ayoola further noted that the country cannot continue the present path of fuddy – duddy and expect a better Nigeria.

    “It is not a rocket science to figure out that the issue surrounding the budget is much about the corruption, and power play while the entire nation is the victim of such wicked act.

    “It is high time our politicians and judges called home their conscious and put the nation above their personal desires by walking a mile in the shoes of the masses.

    “I implore Nigerians to exercise patience and continue to pray for the success of Mr. President, who we believe is the Moses of our time that we lead us out the present scourge of Corruption and bad leadership,” he said.