The Nation Newspaper

Tag: House of Representatives

  • 2019 budget: Reps deny receiving N50m for constituency projects

     

    The House of Representatives has denied accessing 50 percent of the N100b allocated to zonal intervention projects in the 2018 budget.

    Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha had disclosed on Tuesday that 50 percent of the allocation has been released.

    However House spokesman, Abdulrazak Namdas, while briefing reporters after the 2019 budget presentation by President Muhammadu Buhari said the no such money has been released for the projects.

    He said it was necessary to inform contractors expected to carry out the execution of the projects had the money.

    Noting that no contractor has informed the House that they have accessed the money, he said: “None of us have access to that fund and I’m just always aware that these funds are released to contractors who would go and do in the projects in our various constituencies.

    “So in the meantime, none of our contractors or the contractors that are supposed to be given as called to say they are in the site doing the job but there is a commitment on the part of the executive 50 percent will be released.

    “So I think we just need to make that little clarification because if you say it’s an allowance people feel that we are pocketing the money and has already been given to us.

    “And I think this is not true and I think we still have not been given our constituency allowance”.

    On the reaction of lawmakers to President Buhari’s budget presentation, Namdas said it should not be blown out of proportion, adding that it is the beauty of democracy.

    He said: “What happened on the floor of the house is democracy in action.

    “There is nothing abnormal about it because you can see members of the ruling party were hailing the president, the opposition was also not doing the same and everybody have the right to do what they want to do.

    “Freedom of speech and what you say and we cannot bar people from doing anything but at the end of the day the budget has been presented by the President.”

     

     

  • Reps move for six months jail term for schools without first aid kits

    The House of Representatives is seeking stiff penalties for owners of vehicles, schools, hotels and public buildings without adequate first aid kits.

    A bill to make it a law successfully scaled second reading on the floor of the House on Thursday following the presentation of the sponsor, Kehinde Agboola (Ogun), who noted that it has become necessary to make compulsory for owners of commercial vehicles and public buildings to provide first aid kits in their vehicles and buildings.

    For failing to provide first aid materials expected to be provided in vehicles and public buildings materials that include bandages, adhesive, bandages, iodine, gauze and dressings, if passed into law, the owner of the building would be liable to four months imprisonment or a fine of N10,000

    He said countless number of people met their untimely death by bleeding to death due to lack of first aid treatment as a result of sudden sickness or accidents.

    He said: “The major objective of this bill is to ensure a substantial reduction in the deaths that occur when there are accidents or sudden sickness.

    “Individuals have slumped in their offices and died while being conveyed to the hospital for treatment because no first aid treatment was given to resuscitate them.

    Read Also: Reps to investigate PenCom

    “Provisions have been made for the punishment of owners of vehicles and public buildings who refuse or fail to provide first aid kits in their vehicles and buildings.

    “In section 9, this offense is punishable with a six months imprisonment or a fine of N10,000. In section 10, the owner of a building is liable to four months imprisonment or a fine of N10,000 if he fails to provide first aid kits in his building.

    “This bill is being proposed to correct the situation by ensuring that first aid kits are provided compulsorily in commercial vehicles and public buildings”.

    The bill was unanimously passed after a vote.

  • ‘Why we won’t vote Igbinedion’

    Some residents of Okada in Ovia North East local government have given reasons why they would not re-elect Barr. Omosede Igbinedion to the House of Representatives.

    Omosede who is the daughter of Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, the Esama of Benin Kingdom, hails from Okada.

    The Okada residents spoke when they paid an endorsement visit to candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Mr. Dennis Idahosa.

    Read Also:Igbinedion Varsity leads alliance for review of education in Africa

    Spokesman for the Okada residents, Mr. David Iyamu, said their support for the APC was to free Okada from the grips of the Igbinedions.

    Iyamu stated that it was pitiable that Okada community lacked basic amenities despite the fact that children of Chief Igbinedion served as Governor, council chairman and a member of the National Assembly.

    He said 2019 would be the end Chief Igbinedion reign in Okada

    According to him, “It is a thing of shame for us in Okada to say we do not have water, no road and electricity.

    “Okada community has produced a Governor, council chairman and a lawmaker all from one man and yet no meaningful development.

    “This election is about our children’s future. What will we tell them? We have to make Ovia great again.”

    Responding, Idahosa said he grew up as a poor child and knew what it means to empower people.

    Idahosa said Ovia students would get bursary and that he would work with relevant agencies to attract projects to all communities.

  • House okays June 12 as Democracy Day

    PRO-JUNE 12 promoters won a major victory yesterday. The House of Representatives passed the bill to make June 12 a national holiday with the adoption of the report at the Committee of the Whole.

    “When the bill is assented to by the President, subsequent June 12 anniversaries will become public holidays to commemorate democracy, while 29 May will only be celebrated every fourth year when there is inauguration of a new President.”

    The proposed legislation titled: “A bill for an act to amend the Public Holidays Act, Cap. P40 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria,  2004 to bring the act in tandem with the current realities and exigencies of the modern times and to declare  June 12 as Democracy Day in Nigeria and for related matter,” was sponsored by Edward Pwajok (APC Plateau) and Kayode Oladele (APC Ogun).

    It was referred to the Committee of the Whole on November 22 by  Speaker Yakubu Dogara after passing the second reading on the floor.

    President Muhammadu Buhari declared June 12 a national holiday on June 6 .

    Pwajok, while presenting the bill last month argued that countries set aside some days to commemorate special events such as celebrating their independence, religious festivals, some heroes etc.

    He said: “For instance, President Ronald Reagan initiated the celebration of Martin Luther King’s Day as a holiday in the U.S.A. He is considered a civil rights hero in the U.S.A. May 1  is celebrated in most cities to celebrate workers.

    “There are individuals who have impacted so much on their countries, that they are celebrated with a declaration of public holidays such as George Washington of the U.S.A, (the First U.S President).

    “Certain events also have compelled the declaration of public holiday, such as Human Rights, Freedom. Youth, Women and National Reconciliation days in South Africa.

    “In many countries public holidays are not fixed, as they change from year to year. Thus, the U.S.A celebrates presidential inauguration only in the fourth year when new president is sworn in.”

    The lawmaker also said that in 2000, former President Olusegun Obasanjo declared May 29 as Democracy Day to celebrate the handover of government by the military to elected civilians.

    “This is in addition to celebrating independence on October 1  each year. The question needs to be asked whether the mere hand over of power on May 29, 1999 is more symbolic of democracy than the June 12  1993 election.

    “It is pertinent to remember that it was the crisis that accompanied the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election that led to not only the return of democracy in 1999 but the concession of the Presidency to the South West in 1999.”

    He said that declaring June 12 as Democracy Day will remind Nigerians of the supreme price many Nigerians including, M.K.O Abiola, Kudirat Abiola, Alfred Rewane and Bagauda Kaltho among others, paid and many others that lost their jobs, properties and businesses.

    “It will also enhance national unity by reminding us that on June 12 1993 Nigerians de-emphasized religion by voting a Muslim-Muslim Social Democratic Party (SDP) ticket against a Muslim-Christian National Republican Convention (NRC) ticket.”

  • Use Abacha Loot to fund Ajaokuta, Reps tell FG

    …say Original Russian builders to be recalled to complete complex

     

    The House of Representatives Thursday urged the Federal Government to use the recovered funds from the Abacha loot to finance the Ajaokuta steel complex.

    The lawmakers also said TPE of Russia (the original builders) should be recalled to complete the steel complex.

    These were part of the recommendations adopted from the report of the ad hoc committee on Ajaokuta Steel Complex headed by Hon. Idris Ahmed.

    Read Also:No plan to sell Ajaokuta Steel Plant, says Osinbajo

    “Since it is known that most of the Abacha loot was gotten from the debt by back deal involving Ajaokuta, then the recovered loots which are still flowing into Nigeria should be used to supplement the funding of the completion of the Ajaokuta integrated steel plant,” the lawmakers said.

    While considering the report of failure of the Ajaokuta Steel Company to commence operations since Inception, the Green Chamber also resolved:

    “That the Federal Government should demonstrate a strong political will, just like the United States President did recently in steel sector, to resuscitate the Ajaokuta Integrated Steel plant by direct sourcing and disbursement of about $2b needed to revamp and complete the 2% external aspects of the Integrated project.”

    The project they said include  “revival of Ajaokuta Steel Company and the National Iron Ore Manufacturing Company, Itakpe, completing the various external rail track system and access roads linkages; the development and optimal functioning of the various mining sites for steady supply of raw materials to guarantee an uninterrupted steel production when the blast furnace would be started.)

    “That the Federal Government should, as a matter of national interest and security, annul and terminate the recent reconcession agreement entered into with Global Infrastructure Nigeria Ltd (GINL) of 1st August 2016, as there is still an extant Federal Government indictment against the company (GINL).

    “That the Federal Government should cease from any further thought of concessioning and/or reconcessioning of the Nigerian Steel Companies as Nigeria has capable hands under the services of the Federal Republic to manage the integrated plants when properly funded;

    “That the Federal Government should revive relations with the original builders of the Company (TPE of Russia) towards wooing them back to continue and complete the good work they started alongside the current Management Team of indigenous Sole Administrators who have shown expertise and practical knowledge in the integrated steel plants management and production;

    “That the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) should heed the Presidential directive of late President Yaradua in 2008, to prosecute all the collaborators of Global Infrastructures Nigeria Ltd as economic saboteurs;

    “That both the Company, Global Infrastructures Nigeria Ltd and all indicted local collaborators should be made to pay damages to the host communities that suffered loss of lives when the Company used brutal force against the workers (most of whom were community youths) who tried to stop the Company from stripping and vandalizing the assets of the concessioned plants;

    “That the Company, Global Infrastructures Nigeria Ltd and its associates be banned from further doing any business in Nigeria as its track record has been marred by duplicity and fraud;

    “That accelerated legislative work must be done by both Chambers of the National Assembly to ensure that both the Ajaokuta Steel Company and the National Iron Ore Manufacturing Company, Itakpe, are removed from the Privatization List;

    The recommendations were voted on and passed with the Deputy Speaker, Yussuff Lasun.

     

  • Reps urge Buhari to implement agreement with ASUU

    Immediate implementation of the previous agreement mutually reached between it and Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has been proffered by the House of Representatives as the panacea to checking incessant strikes in the nation’s ivory towers, the House of Representatives has said.

    The lawmakers expressed concern over the on-going strike action by members of ASUU, which has paralyzed academic activities of most public-owned universities and expressed dissatisfaction with the Presidency over its reluctance to transmit to the National Assembly the Tripartite Agreement on National Minimum Wage to the National Assembly.

    As a result, the lawmakers resolved that a joint ad hoc committee of  National Assembly be constituted to investigate the remote and immediate causes of Tuesday’s industrial action by members of the Parliamentary Staff Association of the National Assembly (PASAN) and make appropriate recommendations to the two legislative chambers for appropriate action.

    Read Also: Buhari appeals to NNMA to resolve Nigeria’s diversity

    This followed the adoption of a motion of urgent national importance, Sani Zoro (APC, Jigawa), who noted that threats of industrial action by organized labour in the face of the stalemate was caused by the failure to facilitate the due process needed for appropriate resolution of the dispute.

    He said: ‘It is disturbing that members of the Parliamentary Staff Association of the National Assembly also picketed our two legislative chambers on Tuesday to draw attention to their grievances.

    “The looming industrial action threatened by organized labour, with the potential of paralyzing the nation’s socio-economic and political activities- and its attendant costs can be averted in consistence with National Assembly’s established tradition of intervention that have in the past helped to resolve many labour disputes”.

    The motion was unanimously passed after a vote.

  • Reps to probe PENCOM over alleged illegalities

    •House urges Buhari to send list of board members

    THE House of Representatives yesterday resolved to investigate the activities of the National Pension Commission (PENCOM) from April 2017 to date over alleged illegalities.

    It has, therefore, set up an ad-hoc committee to conduct the investigation and report back to the House within four weeks.

    The lawmakers also urged the Federal Government to abide by the constitution and the PenCOM Act by submitting the constituted PenCOM Board to the Senate for confirmation within seven days.

    The recommendations of the House followed the passage of a motion by a member, Benjamin Waya (APC Benue).

    The lawmaker brought the motion, titled: “Motion to investigate the violation of PENCOM Act,  illegal and unlawful appointments,  and provisions and use of public funds,”  under matters of urgent national importance.

    Wayo, while moving the motion, said: “In April 2017, the Federal Government of Nigeria announced the constitution or composition of the Board of the National Pension Commission (PENCOM), made up of Chairman,  Director General and four members as executive commissioners respectively. ”

    He said 19 months since the announcement of the composition of the board , members are yet to assume office.

    “As a statutory agency,  the appointment or the board members is made subject to the confirmation of the Senate,  upon the request of the President to that effect, but which request has up till now not been made to the Senate by the President,” the lawmaker said.

    He said the Net Assets Value (NAV) of the contributory pension fund as at October  28, 2018 stands at N8.779 trillion with the number of contributors also grown to 8.90 million to date.

    Wayo expressed concern that in the absence of a proper structure put in place,  the lot of N8.779 trillion is left in the care of an acting director-general.

    The lawmaker alleged that a former PENCOM Director-General was once removed for misappropriation of funds in a single transaction to the tune of N1 billion.

    “The Acting Director-General, Mrs. Dahir Umar, has unilaterally without any backing of the law increased her terminal benefits and that of other senior staff of the commission by an outrageous 300 per cent.

    “And has also jacked up the number of PENCOM General Managers from 10 to 17, clearly in breach of extant laws governing the institution of PenCom,” he said.

    Wayo warned the House that it is dangerous and too risky to leave a treasury of N9 trillion without proper custodians and regulators”.

    But the leader of the House,  Femi Gbajabiamiila countered Wayo on the non-submission of the list of board members to the Senate.

    According to him,  it’s the Senate that has refused to confirm the list, adding that it’s not the fault of the President.

    When the Speaker,  Yakubu Dogara, called for a voice vote,  the resolutions were passed by majority of lawmakers in the chamber.

     

  • Reps seek total reform in Nigeria’s education sector 

    The House of Representatives Wednesday has said the government should declare an emergency in the country’s education sector.

    The lawmakers urged the Federal Ministry of Education, The National Universities Commission (NUC), and the National Board of Technical Education (NBTE) to carry out a holistic reform that would make Nigeria’s tertiary institutions internationally competitive, and support its national Economic Development and Growth Plan.

    Read Also:Education stakeholders call for dialogue to end ASUU strike

    The resolution of the House was sequel to a motion by a member, Hon. Ayodele Oladimeji (Ekiti) on the need to reform Nigeria’s tertiary education system.

    The Green Chamber also resolved to set up an eleven man adhoc committee to interact with stakeholders in the sector to examine the issues.

    The House also decided to have a one week education summit slated for January, 2019.

    The lawmaker told the House that being the fulcrum of national growth and development, the strategic importance of education cannot be over emphasized.

    He opined that human capital is developed for social economic and technological transformation and advancement of any nation through tertiary education.

    He said 75,000 Nigerians are currently studying in Ghana, Benin Republic, and Egypt, amongst others, adding that Nigeria loses a minimum of N1trillion to education tourism annually.

    The dwindling quality of education in the country, he said, is the reason people seek for quality education outside the country.

    The lack of quality makes the country’s graduates unemployable, he said, adding that no fewer than eight million graduates in the country moved into the labour market every year looking for non-existent jobs.

    The lawmakers noted that there’s need for urgent reform in the sector or Nigerians will keep expending foreign exchange in financing education outside the country.

    Many lawmakers contributed to the motion and they all agreed something must be done to rectify the situation condemned the poor approaches employed towards solving the educational sector problems.

    The Deputy Speaker, Yussuff Lasun said the abandonment of the sector, has crippled the educational system in the country.

    “There must be reform to salvage it,” he said.

    Femi Gbajabiamila, the House Leader, noted that dearth of infrastructure was killing the sector, “Lecturers and teachers can’t give their best in such a situation,” he said.

    Hon. Chika Adamu from Niger state, blamed government appointees and politicians including President Muhammadu Buhari and the leadership of the National Assembly for the downturn in the Nation’s education sector.

    According to him, they’re all hypocrites, who send their children abroad to school, while paying lip service to reforms in the sector.

    When the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara called for a voice vote, it was passed by a majority of members.

     

  • 44 years after, Reps ask FG to complete NLNG Bonny Road 

    The House of Representatives Wednesday asked the federal government to expedite action on the Bodo-Bonny Road Project which was conceived in 1973

    A lawmaker, Hon. Randolph Brown, (PDP Rivers) who brought a motion before the House on the issue said  the project,  was initially conceived in  1973 by the regime of the Military Governor, Alfred Diete Spiff of old Rivers State.

    Read Also:Senate uncovers fresh $1.151bn withdrawal from NLNG fund

    “And by 1974, the Rivers Government received the feasibility study and design of the road.

    The lawmaker said the Federal Government should complete the project in view of the importance of the road “as it would link Bonny Town (the Host community to the NLNG and several other highly economically beneficial multinational companies.”

    He said since the Federal Government eventually flagged off the Bonny-Bodo Road Project on 12 October, 2017, work had not commenced on the Bonny end of the project.

    “Despite the long conclusion of enumeration,  assessment of compensation on the Right of Way (ROW)  and relocation of public utilities of the consultants to the federal Ministry of Power,  Works and Housing, non-payment of compensation has stalled work on the Bonny end of the project, which had given hope to the people of Bonny.”

    According to the lawmaker, “the payment of compensation will be an effective way to foreclose all issues on the Right of Way (ROW) and the delay in this case could result to avoidable tension.”

    He further expressed concern that if the issue is not given urgent attention “there could be a break-down of law and order as tension and suspicion has started rising owing to refusal to pay the compensation of the Right of Way (ROW) and relocation of Public Utilities.

    When the Speaker, Hon. Yakubu Sahara called for a voice vote, it was passed by major vote.

    The House thereafter mandated the Committees on Works and Legislative Compliance to monitor the progress and report back to the House in two weeks, for further legislative input.

  • Reps to probe funding of war against Boko Haram

    The House of Representatives yesterday resolved to investigate the Federal Government under the watch of President Muhammadu Buhari and his predecessor, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, over the funding of the war against Boko Haram.

    Members of the Green Chamber expressed their frustration over the failure of the military to rein in the insurgents.

    They said military intelligence failed the country.

    The lawmakers expressed sadness over the attack on a military formation in Metele, Borno State by the insurgents.

    Deputy Minority Leader Onyema Chukwuka said that soldiers died in the attack.

    The lawmakers urged the Army to publish the names of the fallen heroes after consultation with their families.

    The decision followed the adoption of a motion of urgent national importance by Chukwuka, who, relying on  reports, said the insurgents carted away  weapons from the Melete Army base.

    He said: “While the news of the attack and death toll continued to increase, neither the President nor Commander-in-Chief, and the minister of Defence or the army authorities said anything about the report as there was silence for more than five days.

    “The President and C-in-C finally broke his silence six days after the attack in a statement issued on his behalf but it is regrettable that in the last one year, no fewer than 600 soldiers have been killed by insurgents, mostly in Bomo State around the fringes of the Lake Chad.

    “Recall that on June 18, a Boko Haram attack in Gajiram, Bomo State, led to the death of civilians and soldiers and on July 13, Boko Haram ambushed and killed soldiers at Alagaye village, near Bama, Borno State and carted away nine gun trucks.

    “On July 14, Boko Haram attacked the 81 Division Forward Brigade at Jilli village in Geidam Local Government Area of Yobe State and killed scores of soldiers; on August 30, Boko Haram attacked an army formation at Zari village, also in Bomo State, killing not no fewer than 48 soldiers and many others are still missing aside equipment losses; and on September 8, the 82 Division Task Force in Gudumbali, Bomo State was attacked, many soldiers killed and equipment carted away.

    “It is equally regrettable that while the executive said and continued to insist that Boko Haram terrorists had been “technically defeated”, or “technically degraded”, the insurgents seem to be waxing  even stronger and stronger day-in-day-out, such that they recently attached a community just 20 kilometre from Maiduguri, the Bomo State capital.

    “Twice in three years, the Commander-in-Chief gave directives to the service chiefs to permanently relocate to the Theatre Command Center in Maiduguri until Boko Haram is defeated.

    “With the recent development in the North, all the successes and gains made against Boko Haram have been reversed, regrettably.”

    Nnenna Elendu-Ukeje (PDP, Abia)  suggested that Nigeria should enter into an air support agreement with her neighbours “so that when the need arises, the Nigerian Air Force can respond to crisis from the closest points within minutes, even from the neighboring countries.”

    She also emphasised the need for a change in the orientation and curriculum of the military from one that aims to take over territories to the modern-day conventional and unconventional warfare.

    Aminu Shagari (APC, Sokoto) said President Buhari, being a military General, was not expected to fail on security issues, not to talk of not being able to suppress a religious insurgency.

    Recalling that former President Shehu Shagari quelled Maitatsine insurgents despite being a civilian, Shagari said: “I expect nothing less than total decimation of Boko Haram but here we are today with no serious efforts by the military to arrest the situation. Where has all the monies appropriated to fight this insurgency gone?”

    Edward Pwajok (APC, Plateau) complained about lack of synergy within the military authorities and the failure of military intelligence characterised by lack of inter-agency information sharing.

    He wondered why Buhari failed to sanction or remove the Service chiefs who, in his view, had obviously failed in their responsibility of protecting the people. He called for the investigation of funds disbursed to prosecute the terror war.

    Zakari Mohammed (PDP, Kwara) said rather than cooperate and share information, the military preferred competing amongst themselves.

    Accusing the House Standing Committees on Military of failing to comprehensively carry out their oversight  function and ask necessary questions, Mohammed urged the President to be more proactive on the issue.

    He also urged the government and the military in particular to invest more in technology to fight the modern unconventional insurgents.

    Alleging that Boko Haram was taking over territories, Mohammed Sani Abdul (APC, Bauchi, said that the Nigerian Army could not evacuate its corpses from Melete because Boko Haram has taken over the camp.

    To Abdulsamad Dasuki (PDP, Sokoto), who is also the Navy  Committee Chairman, the number of the military personnel in the country is grossly inadequate.

    They are less than 300,000, he claimed, adding that the recruitment into the military in the last three years left much to be desired.

    He identified lack of technology as a big issue in the efficiency of the military

    Aliu Magaji (APC, Jigawa) advised the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Yusuf Buratai to provide Nigerians with the real news rather than threatening those he targeted as fake news peddlers.

    Beni Lar (PDP, Plateau) urged the President to sack the Service chiefs for what he called poor performance.

    Mohammed Bago (APC, Niger) spoke in a similar vein.

    Speaker Yakubu Dogara said queried the porosity of the Nigerian borders if Cameroun and Chad.

    He wondered if the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF), operating along the borders, had collapsed.