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Tag: House of Representatives

  • Reps summon Ministers over Queens College epidemic 

    Reps summon Ministers over Queens College epidemic 

    The House of Representatives has summoned the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole  and his Education counterpart,  Malam Adamu Adamu  over the outbreak of an epidemic in Queens College, Lagos that led to the death of three students.

    The two Ministers were expected to explain steps taken by the Federal Government to remedy the situation.

    However, House Committees on Health and Education services have been mandated to investigate the death of the three students.

    The school was shut down after two students, Vivian Osuinyi and Bithia Itulua allegedly died of diarrhoea, between Thursday, February 23 and Friday, February 24, 2017.

    While 14 year old orphan, Praise Sodipo also died days later, many of students were hospitalized.

    The cause of the epidemic was linked to a contamination of the source of water supply in the school.

    The lawmakers also condemned threat of expulsion of any student whose parents make remarks on the issue on social media by the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu.

    Adamu had, through a circular directed parents and students of the school to stop making comments on the incident, especially on social media or face expulsion from the school.

    Sponsor of the motion, Majority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, who raised a motion of urgent public importance expressed disappointment over the handling of the issue by the Education Minister.

    “Rather than take action that would bring succour to students and their worried parents, the Minister chose a high handed approach to the matter,” he noted.

    He also condemned the insistence of the former Principal of the school that there was no disease outbreak as well as the remark of the Vice-Principal of the school, that the management of the college ought to be commended for taking care of over 2000 girls with only a few affected during the epidemic outbreak.

    The House Leader said the school should be investigated on how N663m allocated to it in the 2016 budget and N776m in 2017 were utilized.

    The joint committee was expected to obtain the action plan by the two Ministries to forestall a re-occurrence of a disease outbreak in the school.

  • Chibok girls: Reps urge FG to hasten negotiations 

    Chibok girls: Reps urge FG to hasten negotiations 

    The House of Representatives has urged the Federal government to hasten negotiations for the release of the remaining abducted Chibok girls.

    The decision of the lawmakers followed the adoption of a motion by Asabe Vilita Bashir (APC, Borno), who said tomorrow will mark the third anniversary of the abduction of 219 students from Girls Secondary School Chibok by Boko Haram insurgents.

    House Committee on Women Affairs was also mandated to ascertain the condition and level of rehabilitation so far carried out for the 21 girls released in October 2016.

    Bashir said it has become imperative for the Federal government to fulfil its promise to build on the successful negotiation with Boko Haram that led to the release of 21 of the girls.

    Saying that the release of the remaining 83 students still held by the group must be a priority, she noted that the continued captivity of the girls is exposing them to more harm by the day.

    “Thursday 14th of April 2017 will mark three years since the abduction of the school girls, yet, 195 of them are still in captivity and negotiations for their release seems to be taking too long.

    “We are concerned about the safety of the abducted girls as three years is too much a period for them to remain in captivity considering they risk being subjected to more untold hardship, slavery, molestation, abuse, rape, pregnancy and forced marriage in the  hands of their abductors”, she said.

    In her contribution, Nnenna Elendu-Ukeje (PDP, Abia) said a comprehensive  rehabilitation program for the released girls and their children must be put in place

    “That is the only way the girls and their children many of whom are products of sexual assault would be fully reintegrated back into society,” she noted.

     

    The motion was unanimously adopted after it was put to a voice vote.

     

  • We won’t accept excuses for non-payment of pensions – Dogara

    We won’t accept excuses for non-payment of pensions – Dogara

    Speaker of House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara, on Thursday urged the executive to ensure that backlog of pensions were paid promptly, warning that excuses would not be accepted.

    Dogara made this known while reacting to briefing by Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun and her Budget and National Planning counterpart, Sen. Udoma Udo Udoma, on efforts to offset arrears owed Nigerian pensioners.

    He expressed confidence that the promise of President Muhammadu Buhari on the pensions would be kept.

    “When the president promised that he was going to release money for bailout to States so that they can pay backlog of salaries and pensions, he did.

    “We will not accept any excuse that leaves part of this pension funds hanging,” he said.

    According to him, I don’t know where you got the money to bail out the states from, but wherever you got the money from that is where we are going to get the money to solve this problem.

    “I want to believe this will be the last intervention we will be having with regards to the issue of pensions in this country. That is my charge.

    “The message the House will be sending to the President through the ministers is `when you meet him to brief him about this engagement, tell him that we have taken his words to the bank and we believe that we would cash it’.”

    Meanwhile, the spokesman of the House of Representatives Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Mr Abdulrazak Namdas, said the 2017 Appropriation Bill would be passed after the Easter break.

    Namdas told reporters after plenary on Thursday that all legislative work on the fiscal document would be concluded as soon as the Assembly resumed from the recess.

    He explained that the House intervened in the issue of arrears of pensioners’ entitlements to enable the ministers in charge of finances to address the matter.

    According to him, the explanation provided by the two ministers will go a long way to assuage the pains of the nation’s senior citizens.

     

  • Reps seek support for Edo rainstorm victims

    The House of Representatives on Wednesday told the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide relief materials to people displaced by rainstorm in Akoko Edo communities in Edo.

    This is sequel to a unanimous adoption of a motion by Rep. Peter Akpatason (Edo-APC) at plenary in Abuja.

    Moving the motion earlier, Akpatason said that NEMA should also take inventory of damages caused by the rainstorm with a view to assisting the victims.

    He said that the incident occurred on March 29 this year.

    The lawmaker said that the incident caused loss of lives and damage to property.

    “The rainstorm, which happened in Lampese, Ibillo, Ugboshi Afe, Imoga, Ugboshi Ele, Ekpedo, Uneme Nekhua, Aiyetoro, Igarra, Ojirami Petesh, Ojirami Afe and Ososo communities blew off roofs and damaged walls of about 250 buildings.

    “It also rendered hundreds of people homeless, thereby exposing them to unhealthy weather conditions,” he said.

    The lawmaker expressed concern that the displaced people were currently taking refuge in make-shift accommodations under harsh conditions.

    He said that if relief materials and other necessary supplies were not provided in good time, the victims would suffer avoidable health hazards from exposure to the elements and more rainfall.

    In his ruling, the Deputy Speaker of the House, Mr Yussuf Lasun, mandated the committee on emergency and disaster preparedness to visit the communities and make recommendations within two weeks.

     

  • Buhari, Dogara meet in Aso Villa

    Buhari, Dogara meet in Aso Villa

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday met behind closed doors with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    It was also gathered that the Senate President, Bukola Saraki was expected to join the meeting.

    Dogara arrived the Villa at exactly 12 noon.

    The meeting may not be unconnected with the face-off between the Executive and the legislative arms of government.

    The grey areas included the summons of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Hameed Ali, who was to appear in uniform, the rejection of Ibrahim Magu as the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and the extension of tenure of a Permanent Secretary by the President which the House of Representatives is currently kicking against.

    The Presidency last week set up a committee to meet with the leadership of both Chambers of the National Assembly to reach a compromise on the issues.

    The committee chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has membership including ex-lawmakers in the cabinet.

    The meeting was still in progress at the time of filing this report.

  • Certificate forgery: EFCC arraigns House of Reps member

    Certificate forgery: EFCC arraigns House of Reps member

    The embattled Akwa Ibom House of Representatives’ member, Mr. Nse Ekpenyong, who is facing a certificate forgery charges is allegedly remanded in Uyo prisons for failing to meet bail conditions.

    Ekpenyong under the platform of People’s Democratic Party, PDP, was arraigned at the Federal High Court, Uyo by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over a forged diploma certificate he claimed to have earned from the Abia State Polytechnic, Aba, Abia State.

    Ekpenyong, who represents Oron Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, was brought before Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu by the EFCC on a nine count charges.

    One of the charges read: “That you Nse Bassey Ekpenyong on or about 22 November 2012, at Uyo, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did make a document to wit: Abia State Polytechnic National Diploma Certificate in Business Administration with No. 001181 dated 22nd November, 2012 with intent that it may be acted upon as genuine which you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (2) (C) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M 17 of the Revised Edition (Laws of the Federation of Nigeria) 2007 and punishable under section 1 (2) of the same Act,”

    The lawmaker pleaded not guilty to all the charges preferred against him by the EFCC.

    Ekpenyong’s lawyer, Emmanuel Isangedoho argued for his bail conditions which were opposed by EFCC’s lawyer, Ahmedu Arogha.

    Justice Ojukwu assured that the matter would be given urgent attention.

    She, however, granted the lawmaker a bail in the sum of N10m and adjourned the case to April 12.

    A highly placed source told The Nation that the lawmaker who is facing nine count charges over his certificate forgery is cooling off at Uyo Prisons over his inability to perfect his bail conditions.

     

  • Reps to Buhari: You can’t extend civil servant’s year of service 

    Reps to Buhari: You can’t extend civil servant’s year of service 

    …ask Permanent Secretary to return illegally acquired emoluments

    The House of Representatives has upturned President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive on the extension of a Permanent Secretary whose year of service was extended by the President.

    The lawmakers directed that Jamila Shu’ara, until now a  Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education cease to be a civil servant with immedite effect.

    The Head of Service of the Federation (HoCSF), Winifred Oyo-Ita was directed to carry out the order and ensure that all emoluments enjoyed till date by Shu’ara since February 2016 when she was formally disengaged were returned.

    The directive was handed down yesterday at the ongoing investigative hearing on the issue between the Zakari Mohammed-led Committee on Basic Education and Services and the HoCSF.

    The lawmakers said  the President has no power under section 171(2)(d) of the 1999 Constitution or any other existing law to extend or elongate the tenure of Permanent Secretary whose tenure has expired be refluxion of time or age, whichever comes first

    Following its investigation, the Committee, without recourse to the defense of Shu’ara by the HoCSF resolved  that “The Head of Service should invoke relevant rules to recover all the emoluments paid to Mrs Jamila Shuara for the period of the extension.

    “That the Government should ensure that Civil service rules and procedures be strictly followed in future

    “That the retirement date of Dr Mrs Jamila Shuara remains 20th Feb.2016

    “That Dr Mrs jamila Shuara should vacate office immediately as her retirement date remains 20th Feb.2016 and

    “That the Head of Service should ensure compliance to this subject matter,and report back to the House in four weeks’ time”.

    The HoCSF in her written defense insisted that the President had the power to appoint or disengage any civil servant citing Section 171 (2) (d) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

    Oyo-Ita said though she called for the record of service of Dr Shuara from the Civil service Commission but yet to get a reply, she however insisted that the President derived such powers for such an extension.

    In her letter of defense to the Committee dated 29th March, 2017 the HoCSF stated that, “I write to acknowledge the receipt of your letter Ref: No NASS/HR/CT./.017/1013/230 dated 28th March, 2017 received today 29th March, 2019, and to respectively furnish the Chairman with the following:

    “I did not write any letter dated 17th March, 2016 with Ref. No. HCSF/1013/1 on the tenure of Dr (Mrs) Jamila Shuara as Permanent Secretary, rather the last letter wrote on this matter dated March 17th, 2017 with Reference No. HCSF/1013/1 was to Chief of Staff to the President.

    “I have sought Mr President’s permission to release a copy to the Committee and I am awaiting His Excellency’s response”.

    On the extant laws and rules guiding appointment, extension or appointment, Section 171 (2) (d) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) vests the President with the power to appoint and remove Federal Permanent Secretaries, and by virtue of Section 11(1) (a)(c) of the implementation Act Cap 123 laws of the Federation 2004, whoever has the power to appoint can re-appoint or reinstate.

    “It is instructive to note that personal files of all of all civil servants employed into the Federal Civil Service through the Federal Civil Service Commission are with the Commission, I have requested for the personal file of Dr (Mrs.) Jamila Shuara from the Commission and I’m expecting the response”.

    Notwithstanding, the Committee went ahead with its resolution that Mr President lacked the powere to ask Shu’ara to stay on.

     

  • Reps wade into Shell’s planned relocation from Rivers

    Reps wade into Shell’s planned relocation from Rivers

    The Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara on Thursday called for a thorough investigation into the planned relocation of the head office of  Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) from Rivers State.

    The speaker said this when he inaugurated an Ad-hoc committee mandated to investigate the planned relocation of the company.

    Represented by the Deputy Majority Whip of the House,  Pally Iriase (Edo-APC), Dogara said that improved relationship between the Federal Government and the Niger Delta region was crucial in addressing some economic challenges confronting the country.

    “This is because the Niger Delta region sits atop oil wells where much of our revenue as a nation is derived from.

    “Relocation by the SPDC is said to be based on security concerns today. This has generated outcry and agitation by the people and if we as a House do not address it, it may escalate and result to violence and insecurity,’’ Dogara said.

    The Speaker added that the onus lied on the Federal Government and the house to ensure that justice on Niger Delta region was not denied.

    He, therefore, urged the committee to come up with a report that will be fair and forestall any crisis in the Niger Delta region.

    In his welcome address, the Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee, Rep Ishiaka Ibrahim, (Ogun-APC) said that the committee would meet with all the relevant stakeholders to address the matter.

    He said the committee would be fair to all sides.

    “We shall engage all relevant stakeholders in order to come up with report and recommendation that would stand the test of time.

    “We shall also consider all factors surrounding the conception of the decision of the SPDC’s planned relocation from Port Harcourt,’’ Ibrahim said.

    It would be recalled that the House on January 26, adopted a motion sponsored by Rep. Kingsley Chinda (Rivers-PDP), to set up an ad-hoc committee to prevail on Shell’s planned relocation from Port Harcourt.

    Chinda expressed concern that several youths were already protesting the planned relocation which will further escalate militant activities in the region.

    The youth restiveness, Chinda said, would affect the Nigerian economy that was already experiencing recession due to low crude oil output.

    The House, therefore, called on the Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu and the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NPIMS) and Shell to suspend the planned relocation and allow it to intervene.

  • Reps kick over N3b government quarters 

    Reps kick over N3b government quarters 

    House of Representatives has questioned the Presidency over its monitisation policy, saying the policy might have been jettisoned without due process.

    The policy that was introduced during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo led to payment of allowances rather than continuous funding and rehabilitation of government quarters and official vehicles of its workers.

    The houses and vehicles were later sold to civil servants.

    The Herman Hembe-led Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was however shocked when it was told that the Presidency is planning to build 40 houses for its top officials at a cost of N3b this year.

    The Committee, during the 2016/2017 budget session with the Ministry of FCT questioned the change of policy that was not made public by the Executive, considering the fact that they (lawmakers) were equally affected by the monitisation policy.

    While the lawmakers asked for the identities of the beneficiaries, they wondered whether they were lower government functionaries that deserved to be living in rented houses.

    Hembe said: “When government comes up with a policy, it should follow it up. When you begin to build houses for ministers, permanent secretaries and directors, are they above the members of the National Assembly?

    “If you want to move for monetization, it should be complete. I think it was wrong to sell the houses in the first place.

    “This kind of thing may be very difficult to pass on the floor of the house. You can’t push for building houses for them. I remember at some point, they even wanted to sell the Vice President’s house”.

    In his response, the FCT Permanent Secretary, Babatope Ajakaiye, who stood in for the Minister Mohammed Bello said government felt the monitisatuon policy is due for review.

    Saying that governments around the world cannot do away with accomodation of its own, some of which were designated as safe houses, Ajakaiye said the government felt the monitisation policy may not have served its purpose.
    “We have not started it; it is a new project. I still want to plead for understanding on this issue. The issue has been discussed last year and we’re still talking about it. The policy was introduced by government, but after sometime, there was this feeling that it should be reviewed.

    “When government says top functionaries, it is not defining. In countries around the world, they build safe houses, and it’s not meant for any particular person.

    “Can we really say we want to give houses to about 500 legislators in one or two years? Top government functionary could be anybody. There’s always a start,” he said.

    The Committee said that approval for the 40 houses as listed on the budget document would meet stiff resistance on the floor during consideration and passage of the 2017 budget.

    The Committee however demanded for the details of the 40 units houses, their specifications and supposed beneficiaries.

    The Committee also expressed disappointment with the handling of the Abuja light rail proudest that ought to have been completed last year but deferred to the First quarter of 2018.

    The Committee opined that with the paltry allocation of N3b proposed for the project, it’s completion is not likely to see the light of the day in the life of this administration.

    According to Hembe, the project that would have taken between N10b and N15b to complete in 2016 would now require N23b for the 2018 date.

    Ajakaiye sad the Abuja rail project would be completed in the first quarter of 2018 because the Chinese contractor is willing to meet the deadline though Nigeria must come up with its N23b counterpart find.

    Earlier while presenting the budget proposal, Ajakaiye said N3.7b was proposed for the Abuja light rail project; rehabilitation of old Federal  secretariat phase 1, N2b; 40 houses for officials N3b; construction and expansion of airport expressway, N4b.

     

  • 2015 budget: Saraki gives marching orders to committees

    2015 budget: Saraki gives marching orders to committees

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, Thursday gave marching order to Senate standing committees to submit their reports on the 2017 budget proposal to the appropriations committee.

    Saraki who gave the order during Senate plenary, noted that compliance by committees yet to turn in their reports would hasten legislative work on the budget proposal.

    The announcement was said to be part of the decision of the leadership of the Senate and House of Representatives that met in Saraki’s house on Wednesday.

    A source said that part of the resolution of the joint leadership meeting of the Senate and House of Representatives was to ensure that the 2017 budget was passed earlier than that of 2016.

    He said that committees were to submit their reports to the appropriation committee latest yesterday failing which the appropriation committee would be free to adopt what the executive submitted.

    The 2016 budget was passed end of March, 2016. It was however rejected by President Muhammadu Buhari and returned to the National Assembly.

    The second passage of the same budget proposal was passed April ending 2016 and assented to by President Buhari on May 6th 2016.

    He insisted that should any committee fail to comply to submit its report before the end of work Thursday, the appropriations committee would go ahead to consider and adopted the original proposal made by the executive.

    Saraki said: “All committees yet to complete work on the 2017 budget proposal are hereby requested to submit their reports unfailingly today to the appropriations committee.

    “The committees numbering over twenty or thereabout should endeavour to submit their reports, or the appropriations committee will be left with no option but to consider original estimates sent in by the executive.”

    Most of the defaulting committees had claimed that their inability to submit their reports was due the refusal of the MDAs under them to appear to defend their budgets.