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Tag: House of Representatives

  • Reps investigate alleged killing of 97 Nigerians by Cameroonian Gendarmes

    Reps investigate alleged killing of 97 Nigerians by Cameroonian Gendarmes

    The House of Representatives Thursday began investigation over the alleged killing of 97 Nigerians in the ceded Bakassi Peninsula, by Cameroonian Gendarmes.

    To this effect, the House Committee on Foreign Affairs has been mandated to investigate the matter and report back to the House for further legislative action.

    This was sequel to the passage of a motion brought under matters of urgent national importance by a member Hon. Babatunde Kolawole titled: “Alleged killing of 97 Nigerians by Cameroonian Gendarmes.”

    The lawmaker, while moving the motion said: “last week there were several media reports that 97 Nigerians have been killed in Bakassi by Cameroonian Gendarmes because they could not afford a N100, 000  ( Hundred Thousand Naira) levy on each fishing boat.

    “This is in spite of the clauses in the Green Tree Agreement signed between Nigerian and Cameroonian Governments which protect our citizens in the ceded areas from harm.

    “Apart from this recent attack, there have been reports of harassments, rape and killings of Nigerians by the Gendarmes over the years with the Nigerian government seemingly doing little or nothing to stop it.

    “If nothing is done to stop this ugly development, other Nigerian lives would be at stake as the Gendarmes may continue to kill Nigerians at will without fear of recriminations.”

    Kolawole said that though there are reports that the Federal government has summoned the Cameroonian Ambassador over the killings, there is need for the House as the People’s parliament to send a clear signal that “we will not sit and watch while the lives of our citizens are wasted with impunity.”

    Members were in support of the motion, and some lawmakers decried the attitude of the Cameroonian Gendarmes perceived use of excessive force against Nigerian citizens in the ceded Bakassi region.

    However, the Chairperson of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Hon. Nnena Elendu- Ukeje cautioned the lawmakers saying that the issue is still in the realm of speculations and hence it should investigated before coming to a definitive conclusion.

    The Speaker, Hon. Yakubu Dogara subsequently referred the motion to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs for further investigation.

  • Reps Summon Minister, NCAA, Ethiopian Airlines, over stranded passengers

    Reps Summon Minister, NCAA, Ethiopian Airlines, over stranded passengers

    The House of Representatives Wednesday mandated its committee on Aviation to invite the Minister of Aviation, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and Ethiopian Airlines to appear before and give reasons for the excessive delays in bringing back Nigerians stranded in Saudi Arabia

    The Green Chamber flayed the airline for the recent long delays and disrespectful behavior towards Nigerians and other nationals from Saudi Arabia to Nigeria by the Airlines and said flight delay compensation be paid to them according to global aviation rules.

    The resolution of the House was sequel to the adoption of the prayers of a motion by Hon. Zakari Mohammed on complaints against Ethiopian Airlines.

    The lawmaker while moving the motion noted that Ethiopian Airlines due to the backlog of delays have left Nigerians stranded in Jeddah for over one week with most running out of funds to survive.

    He said the airline’s refusal to offer a reasonable explanation for the delay was worrisome, and also in violation of Article 2 of Ethiopian Airlines passenger commitment.

    According to him, it made reservations for three persons to occupy one hotel room in overnight delays again, in violation of Article 11 of the Ethiopian Airlines passenger commitment published on their website.

    He said passengers had to incur more expenses by making hotel reservations for themselves. due to the inconveniences caused by the airline,

    Mohammed also said over one thousand Nigerians who were due to be back in the country on 27 June, 2017 were stranded in Jeddah for 4-5 days.

    The House thereafter mandated its committee on Aviation to invite the Minister of Aviation, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and Ethiopian Airlines to appear before and give reasons for the excessive delays.

    The House also resolved that Ethiopian Airlines should apologize through two national dailies, to the affected passengers.

  • Reps seek reprieve for pensioners

    Reps seek reprieve for pensioners

    House of Representatives has set in motion machinery to ensure that workers on contributory pension scheme can access a minimum of 50 percent of the credit balance on their Retirement Savings Accounts (RSA), irrespective of the age at which they retire, or are disengaged.

    A bill seeking amendment to the Pension Reform Act, 2014 successfully scaled second reading yesterday after the lawmakers noted that attainment of 50 years of age before access to the funds as contained in the extant law was no longer a realistic idea.

    The extant Act provides that a disengaged employee can only access 25 percent of the credit on his or her RSA, while the balance of 75 percent and accrued interests can only be accessed on the attainment of 50 years of age, with an amount expected to be retained to secure a projected lifetime annuity for the person.

    According to the sponsor of the bill, Denis Amadi, the amendment was mainly about procedures and amounts receivable as benefit to persons who resigned their employment, or have been disengaged before attaining 50 years, as presently provided for in the PENCOM Act.

    He said: “The proposed amendment strongly advocates for immediate and unrestricted 50 percent bulk withdrawal of the amount standing to the credit on such person’s RSA.

    “Presently, thousands of young persons between the ages of 30 to 40 years have been disengaged from various employments with millions standing to their credits, but yet living in abject poverty because they could not access their funds.

    “With the proposed amendment, the over 300,000 of such retirees or disengaged workers will have the opportunity to raise owner equity for micro and small enterprises, as such facilities were not easily accessible through the banks and related institutions.

    “At 50 years, most of these disengaged employees would have died due to long economic helplessness and hopelessness. Those who would not die could hardly be active enough to start new ventures and nurture same into stability”.

    The bill was referred to Committee on Pension Matters for further legislative action after it was put to a voice vote by Speaker Yakubu Dogara.

  • No plan to recall Ondo Rep – APC

    No plan to recall Ondo Rep – APC

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency of Ondo state has said there is no plan to recall the lawmaker representing the constituency in the House of Representatives, Bamidele Baderinwa as being agitated by some youths.

    The group under the aegis of the Idanre/Ifedore Youth Coalition said last week that it had begun to mobilise the people of the constituency to start the process of recalling the lawmaker.

    The group alleged that Baderinwa had abandoned the federal constituency for a long time and that he had not made any positive impact in the lives of his constituents since his representation in the National Assembly.

    But the APC youth leader in Ifedore,  Adewale Adekunle, said at a news conference in Akure, the state capital, that there was nothing like mobilizing the people of the constituency for the purpose of recalling the lawmaker.

    Adewale, who described the group as faceless, said the people of the constituency were satisfied with the achievements of Baderinwa and there was no reason to recall him.

    He said: “We wish to state clearly that Bamidele has not defaulted on giving our constituency its deserved quality representation at the National Assembly. He has neither abandoned his people nor the constituency.

    “He visits the constituency regularly and operates two functional constituency offices, one at Idanre and the other at Ifedore, where complaints are collated and attended to. There are evidences of his projects and philanthropic activities across the constituency.”

    The APC youth leader enumerated the projects executed by the lawmaker as the electrification of Aba Aro Community in Ifedore; grading and maintenance of roads, provision of motorized boreholes, distribution of cocoa pesticides and cash to 300 farmers and empowerment of aged people in the constituency with cash donations.

    Others included donation of two Hilux Vans to the Divisional Police Headquarters in the Constituency, wheel chairs and cash to physically challenged people and yearly presentation of cars as gifts to  people in the Constituency.

    According to Adewale, the lawmaker has also built a block of classrooms at Ikota Community Primary School in Ifedore and sponsored over 500 youths for training in vocational education and small and medium scale enterprises.

    He alleged that APC’s detractors were the sponsors of the group, saying their aim was to weaken the popularity of the party in the federal constituency.

    He said: “The youth group is unknown in our federal constituency. As the APC youth leader, I know all the youth groups in the constituency. This one calling for the recall of Baderinwa is faceless and fake.

    “There is nothing like starting the process of recalling our representative in the National Assembly. The main objective of the sponsors of the faceless group is to undermine the popularity of our party in the federal constituency by casting the lawmaker in bad light.

    “We also gathered that some prominent members of our party in the constituency were the sponsors of the faceless group because of the politics of 2019. We are not sure yet. But if what we have gathered about them is true, we urge them to desist.

    “These people should realize that by feeding the public wrong information about any member of APC holding public office because of 2019 politics is as good as destroying the strength of the party. Our unity will always remain the strength of our party.”

  • Segun Oni declares for Ekiti governorship seat

    Segun Oni declares for Ekiti governorship seat

    The Deputy National Chairman (South) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Ekiti State Governor, Chief Segun Oni, is expected to officially make on open declaration to run for governor in July.

    The Director General of the Segun Oni Campaign, Dr. Ife Arowosoge, disclosed this on Thursday at the maiden meeting of APC leaders and members from all the 16 local government areas working for the 2018 aspiration of the former governor.

    Towards making the July declaration a reality, Arowosoge, a former House of Representatives member, revealed that Oni had written letters of his intention to vie for governor in 2018 to the party executives at ward, local government and state levels.

    On the day of his declaration, Arowosoge said Oni will also commission the headquarters of his governorship campaign secretariat located along Opopogbooro, Iworoko Road and also visit the APC state secretariat after which he would visit senatorial offices.

    Arowosoge said Oni has been receiving what he described “clarion calls” from interest groups like teachers, civil servants, local government workers, retirees, youth and women groups to take another shot at the governorship race on the strength of his performance while
    in office between 2007 and 2010.

    The campaign chief said Oni has the experience, exposure and pedigree to make a difference if given the chance to occupy the governor’s chair again describing him as “simple, plain-minded, intelligent, humble, respectful, incorruptible, responsible and God-fearing.”

    He explained that Oni during his administration provided employment for over 4,000 youth, gave autonomy to both Legislature and Judiciary, accorded traditional institution with respect, gave good welfare package to civil servants and retirees, provided infrastructures and
    other social welfare programmes.

    Arowosoge said: “This is the man we have chosen to work for; we are not ashamed to associate with this man of integrity and we must ensure that he wins both the primary and general election with landslide victory.

    “The slogan of 16-0 against APC must not only stop, it must be reversed; it will be 16-0 against PDP.

    “The political atmosphere is most favourable for our party now and the only person people are demanding of our party to give them is Chief Olusegun Oni who they are ready to vote in as governor, come 2018.”

  • Reps probe Abuja Investment Company over un-remitted N2bn Proceeds

    Reps probe Abuja Investment Company over un-remitted N2bn Proceeds

    The House of Representatives Wednesday mandated its committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to investigate the activities of the Abuja Investment Company Limited (AICL) with a view of exposing an alleged diversion of funds and inefficiency.

    The AICL management is alleged to have diverted proceeds worth N2 Billion from 13 subsidiaries and affiliates which led to the recent dissolution of the management team by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

    The resolution of the House was sequel to the passage of a motion by two members, Shehu Aliyu Musa and Nkole Ndukwe with the title: “Call for the investigation of the activities of Abuja Investment Company Limited on non-remittance of over N2 billion proceeds to Federal Capital
    Territory.”

    While moving the motion Ndukwe said that despite rapid growth in investments, “the company, which is wholly owned by the Federal Capital Territory Administration ( FCTA), is not remitting the required revenue to the FCT treasury.”

    The lawmaker further states that “with over $100 million currently under its management, AICL has grown to become a world class investment firm with diversified subsidiaries and affiliates.”

    He gave the names of the subsidiaries and affiliates companies as: Abuja Property Develop Company Limited (AIPDC) with 100 percent shareholding; Abuja Urban Mass Transport Company Limited ( AUMTCO) with 100 percent shareholding; Abuja Market Management Limited ( AMML) with 95 percent shareholding; Abuja Technology Village Free Zone ( ATVFZ) with 51 percent shareholding; Abuja Film Village Ltd with 50 percent shareholding; Gas Farm Project with 50 percent shareholding; and Abuja Leasing Company ( ALC) with 20 percent shareholding.

    Others are:  Power North AICL Equipment Leasing Company with 20 percent shareholding; American Hospital with 20 percent shareholding, ASO Savings and Loans with 10  percent shareholding; Abuja Power Company Ltd with 10 percent shareholding; Capital Hotels ( Sheraton Hotels and Towers, Abuja) with 6.51 percent shareholding, and Abuja Downtown Mall with 5 percent shareholding.

    When the Speaker, Hon. Yakubu Dogara called for a voice vote on the motion, it scaled through without dissent.

    It was thereafter referred to the House Committee on Federal Capital Territory for investigation on the alleged diversion of funds and the committee was given three weeks to report back to the House for further legislative action.

  • NANS disrupts House of Reps celebration

    NANS disrupts House of Reps celebration

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Friday disrupted the second anniversary celebration of the 8th National Assembly at the assembly complex in Abuja.

    The incident occurred at the House of Representatives version of the celebration when Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, introduced Mr Harruna Kadiri as President of NANS.

    Instantly, members of the association, in a loud chorus, rejected the recognition of Kadiri as their president, and insisted that it should be withdrawn.

    They continued the chorus of “no, no, no, Kadiri is not the president of NANS, he is not our president’’ and stalled proceedings in the celebration.

    It took some effort of security operatives at the event to get the students out of the chambers for the celebrations to continue.

    Speaking immediately to journalists on behalf of the protesting students, Mr Chinoso Obasi said that he was the substantive president of the association.

    He displayed a letter of invitation to the event addressed to him as NANS president.

    Obasi recalled that at the house’s invitation, he participated as NANS president in a public hearing recently conducted by the Committee on Tertiary Education and Services “to defend a bill that has to do with Nigerian students’’.

    “Today, I am here on invitation, not on my own, to attend this celebration and I am being embarrassed with another fellow being recognised in my place.’’

    He accused a member of the house, Herman Hembe, who he said was a member of NANS, as being responsible for the development.

    “A Sergeant-at-Arms Officer had approached me and asked for my name and I gave my complimentary card.

    “To my greatest surprise, when the speaker was about to recognise my presence, the Hembe went to meet him and the speaker recognised Kadiri instead,’’ he said.

    Obasi disclosed that Kadiri lost in the association’s election held in 2016.

    He decried the incident, saying “at a time when democracy is being preached, it is saddening to see the House of Representatives undermining the process.

    “We are not a political party; we are not an arm of government. We are only a pressure group, so, why the attempt to impose somebody on us who is not representing us?” he said.

    Obasi said NANS would pass a “vote-of-no-confidence in the speaker’’.

    In a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Hembe questioned the media for bothering itself about the incident.

    Hembe said he wondered why the media preferred controversial issues to other burning issues in the country.

    “Is the NANS issue news worthy? You media people, why do you like controversy so much?

    “Of all that happened today at the anniversary celebrations, of all the speeches, is this the only thing you saw to write?

    “You can write whatever you want,” he said.

     

  • Alleged threat to life: Let Kashamu submit self for investigation, IGP tells court

    Alleged threat to life: Let Kashamu submit self for investigation, IGP tells court

    …Court to rule June 6

     

    The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Wednesday told a Federal High Court in Abuja to direct Senator Buruji Kashamu (representing Ogun East Senatorial District) to submit himself for interrogation in relation to allegation of threat to life made against him by a House of Representatives member, representing Ikenne, Sagamu and Remo North Federal Constituency in Ogun State, Oladipupo Adebutu.

    The IGP made the request while objecting to a suit by Kashamu, seeking among others, to restrain the Police and Department of State Services (DSS) from arresting and transporting him to the United States for trial on drug related offences.

    Adopting IGP’s written submissions Wednesday, David Igbodo, who represented the IGP, said the fundamental rights suit by Kashamu was intended to frustrate ongoing police investigation of the petitions by Adebutu and the applicant (Kashamu) in which they made allegations and counter-allegations against each other.

    He said Adebutu was the first to petition the IGP, accusing Kashamu of threatening his life in a hotel in Port-Harcourt. He said Kashamu equally filed a counter petition.

    Igbodo noted that while Adebutu has made statement to, and been interrogated by the investigating panel constituted by the IGP to investigate the petitions, Kashamu refused to, but instead filed the suit, alleging of plot to transport him to the US on drug related cases.

    Igbodo said: “Our contention is that the issue of drug has nothing to do with the incident that happened in Port Harcourt and on which the petitions being investigated relate. We urge this court to refuse this application and urge the applicant to make himself available to investigators to make his statement.”

    Lawyer to Adebutu, Ehi Uwaifo, argued in similar manner and urged the court to refuse Kashamu’s application and ask him to submit himself for interrogation in relation to allegations contained in the petition against him.

    Although the DSS was absent during proceedings, Igbodo drew the court’s attention to the counter affidavit it filed and its prayer that the court rejects Kashamu’s application, which the court adopted in the absence of any lawyer representing the DSS.

    Earlier while arguing his client’s case, Kashamu’s lawyer, Ajibola Oluyede urged the court to grant the prayers contained in the application.

    Oluyede said the complaint made by the 3rd respondent (Adebutu) against the applicant (Kashamu) has been dismissed by the Police, through a report signed by a Deputy Commissioner of Police, to the effect that the complaint was found to be baseless.

    He said despite the fact that the police report showed that there is no basis for the arrest of the applicant any more, one Sergeant Tanko Mohammed, who is under the control of the IGP was still insisting that Kasahmu must appear before the investigating panel, which he (Mohammed) is a member.

    Oluyede, who noted that the DSS has said, in its counter-affidavit, that it was not part of the plot to arrest Kashamu, urged the court to hold the assertion as undertaking against the 2nd def (DSS) that they are not going to join the conspiracy to arrest the applicant.

    After the lawyers adopted their written submissions, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba adjourned to July 6 for judgment.

     

  • Osinbajo seeks Reps’ approval for $1.5b external loan for 10 states

    Osinbajo seeks Reps’ approval for $1.5b external loan for 10 states

    The House of Representatives is set to consider the approval of $1.5b external loan for 10 states.

    The states are Abia, Ebonyi, Enugu, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Plateau, Ogun and Ondo.

    The loan request presented to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara by the Acting President was meant infrastructural development for the affected states.

    In the letters dated 25th May, 2017, he stated that the request was in tune with the 2016-2018 External Borrowing Plan earlier approved by the National Assembly.

    Osinbajo stated that the total loans being presented for special consideration and approval is US$1,492,400,000.00.

    While soliciting for the approval of the House, he added, “It will be highly appreciated if you could kindly give this request an expedited consideration and approval to enable the states meet up with all other effectiveness conditions for implementation of the projects in their respective states”.

    The breakdown showed that Kaduna is seeking $350m from World Bank; Ogun, $350m (World Bank); Ebonyi, $70m (AfDB); Abia, $100m (AfDB); Katsina, $110m (Islamic Development Bank), Jigawa, $32.4m (Islamic Development Bank); Ebonyi, $80m (Islamic Development Bank); and Kano, $200m.

    Enugu, Kano, Plateau and Ondo loan requests totaled $200m from French Development Agency.

  • Violation of Procurement Act: Adeosun, Okonjo-Iweala, others to appear before Reps

    Violation of Procurement Act: Adeosun, Okonjo-Iweala, others to appear before Reps

    Finance Minister, Mrs Kemi Adeosun and her predecessor, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, have been summoned to appear before the House of Representatives over alleged abuse and breach of the Procurement Act, 2007.

    The house’s Committee on Public Procurement, which invited the ministers, directed that they should appear before it on Tuesday.

    Others expected to appear before the committee are former Head of Service (HoS), Mr Steve Otunla and former Accountant-General to the Federation (AoGF), Mr Jonah Otunla.

    The committee had on Thursday summoned Adeosun and some others over alleged payment of N17 billion to five firms believed to be ghost companies as consultancy fees.

    The committee in an investigative hearing on Monday in Abuja said that summoning the top officials was to ensure proper investigation.

    Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Oluwole Oke (Osun-PDP), who issued the order inviting the officials, read the Riot Act to all Ministers and Accounting Officers of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

    He said “the shortest way to Kuje prison is through breach of procurement laws.”

    Worried at the slow pace of the investigative hearing due to the poor attitude of civil servants towards releasing of vital documents, the committee attended to only those who made available necessary documents.

    The members decried the discrepancies between the submissions made by Federal Ministry of Finance and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

    They observed that out of the 12 pre-shipment Inspectors and two monitors, who benefited from the N17 billion, seven were appointed in line with due process while five were appointed through the back door.

    Oke call for overhaul of the entire process.

    He pointed out that a former governor of Bauchi State and a former member of the House of Representatives, who were part of those who promulgated the procurement law were sentenced to five years imprisonment for infractions.

    He added that a former Chairman of Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) was also sentenced to two years imprisonment for breaching the Procurement Act “before the Supreme Court intervened’’.

    The chairman advised the invited stakeholders to bring before the committee Presidential Approvals, Letters of Awards, Agreements signed with the contractors and performance records.