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Tag: House of Representatives

2017: The economy is our central focus – Dogara

The Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has assured Nigerians of the unwavering commitment of the House to enact legislation that would pull the country out of recession in 2017.

Dogara gave the assurance on Tuesday in Abuja in his address to welcome lawmakers from the Christmas and New Year break.

The Speaker said the legislature would implement reforms to the budgeting process that would make it more transparent and devoid of controversies.

He urged members to work assiduously to pass critical bills including the 2017 Appropriation Bill to lift the country out of recession.

According to Dogara, critical bills designed to stimulate the country’s economy such as the Public Procurement Act Amendment bill, Federal Competition Bill, Petroleum Industry bill will also receive expeditious consideration.

The Speaker, however, noted that the 2017 Budget remained the major tool to resuscitate the economy, in addition to other fiscal and monetary policies.

He assured that the procedure and process of consideration and passage of the 2017 budget would be transparent, inclusive and professionally handled.

He said that details of the budget should be debated and passed in plenary to avoid needless pitfalls that normally characterised the process.

“We must brace up and work conscientiously to give Nigerians a budget that will not only lift us out of recession but kick start the needed expeditious journey into Nigeria’s prosperity.

“We pledge to reform the budget process.

“To this end therefore, we would ensure that the procedure and process of consideration and passage of the 2017 Budget is transparent, inclusive and professionally handled.

“The recent fiscal measures including import prohibition of certain items and the increase or decrease of tariff on some items should receive appropriate legislative scrutiny to ensure that the economy and the interests of our people are protected.

“We must ensure that we take no prisoners in accomplishing this task,” he added.

Dogara, who condemned the spate of impeachment of Speakers of state Houses of Assembly, warned that the trend portends grave danger for the country’s democracy if nothing was done to reverse it.

He said that the House Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution was considering bills that would grant financial autonomy to the state Houses of Assembly.

“While we recognise the constitutional right of the legislature to conduct its internal affairs, it presents a different scenario where hiring and firing of its leadership is rife with accusations and insinuations of external influence and also devoid of extant procedure.

“Leaders everywhere can only function efficiently where there is certainty that commendation is the reward for good leadership and sanction the consequence of inept leadership,” Dogara added.

January 10, 2017
15 in race for House of Representatives by-election in Edo

No fewer than 15 politicians are struggling to succeed Hon. Philip Shuaib in the House of Representatives, following his election as the deputy governor of Edo State in last year’s election.
Until his election as deputy governor, he was representing Estako Constituency.
The Independent National Electoral Commision (INEC) is yet to set a date for the poll. But, aspirants on the platforms of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have started consultation with the stakeholders, ahead of the poll.
A source said the PDP may settle for a consensus candidate, if the aspirants agree to step down for one another.
According to the source, “the PDP is still in pains over its loss in Edo governorship election. We are likely to put our house in order more than the APC, which is carried away by it doubtful victory at the last governorship election. We are dedicated to primary. But, if aspirants, about seven of them, can step down for themselves, there will be a consensus candidate.”
The three local government areas that make up Estako Constiuency are Estako East, Estako West and Estako Central.
Estako West has the highest population and voting strength. Ihe votes from Estako West gave the APC victory in last year’s election.
Shaibu hails from Estako West. Senator Alimekhena hails from Estako East and it is expected that the House of Representatives member to replace Shaibu should be from Estako Central.
APC aspirants include Blessing Agbonmhere, John Akhigbe, Johnson Oghuma, Luqman Mohammend, Joseph Ugheoke, and Akhigbe Kelvin.
Agbomhere contested at the APC governorship primary last year. He got five votes.
He said. “Even the worst critics have agreed that my vibrancy, courage and commitment to Estako development has put me ahead of other contestants.”
Akhigbe was a Senior Special Assistant to Governor Oshiomhole on Protocol. His campaign posters are visible across the three local government areas.
Oghuma is a former member of the House of Assembly. His bid for the House of Representatives in 2015 failed. Oghuma is perceived to be favoured to clinch the ticket, owing to the role he played when leadership crisis rocked the House of Assembly after a failed attempt by the Peoples Democratic Party lawmakers to oust former Speaker Uyi Igbe.
Mohammend is also a former member of the House of Assembly. He trailed Shuaib at the primary in 2015.
Oiboh is a former Commissioner for Land and Survey. He left the APC to join the PDP after he lost the primary.
Oshiomhole’s son, Cyril, is also said to be interested in the race.
The chairman of the APC, Anselm Ojezua, said the party will field a good candidate.
The Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chris Nehikhare, reiterated the party’s determination to conduct a credible primary.

January 4, 2017
Reps: MTEF adopted as Buhari presents 2017 budget

The House of Representatives on Tuesday adopted the 2017 to 2019 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) as President Muhammadu Buhari presents the 2017 budget estimates to a joint session of National Assembly.

The House fixed the exchange rate of Naira to a dollar at N350 as against the N290 recommended by the executive.

The House also concurred on the oil benchmark of 42.50 dollar per barrel with a proposed daily production of 2.2 million barrels per day.

Consequently, the House had mandated its joint committees on Finance, Appropriation, National Planning and Economic Development, Legislative Budget and Research and Aids, Loans and Debt Management to further scrutinise the document.

Buhari had on Oct. 4, forwarded a request to the National Assembly seeking for approval of the 2017 to 2019 MTEF and FSP.

Moving the motion for the adoption of the MTEF/FSP, House Leader, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, said Section 11(2) of the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007, provides that “the MTEF shall be considered for approval with such modifications if any, as the National Assembly finds appropriate by a resolution of each House of the National Assembly”.

He further noted that Section 11 (3) of the FRA, 2007, states that “the MTEF shall contain, among other things, a macro-economic framework setting out the macro-economic projections for the next three financial years.

“The underlying assumptions for those projections and an evaluation and analysis of the macro-economic projections for the preceding three financial years”.

He said that some analysts forecast that the shortage of forex supply may push exchange rate to as high as N350 to the dollar in the official and N500 in the parallel markets.

He recommended that “the budgeted exchange rate of N290 per dollar is unrealistic and should be moved to at N350 to encourage foreign capital inflows”.

On crude oil, he said that “the proposed oil benchmark is 42.50 dollars per barrel with a daily production of 2.2million barrels per day.

“Both seems to be realistic as oil is currently trading at about 50 dollars per barrel”.

According to him, though there is a steady improvement in oil prices, the government has chosen to play safe and benchmark oil price at 42.50 dollars, 45 dollars and 50 dollars for 2017, 2018 and 2019.

He explained that “with the current price level of over 50 dollars per barrel and Nigeria’s current output at 1.9 million barrels per day, the estimates are conservative enough especially with OPEC output freeze last week”.

He maintained that the revenue target of N4.169 trillion and total expenditure of N6.687 trillion were audacious to move the country out of recession.

He said: “These are achievable only on the effective combination of strong fiscal and monetary tools by the government, increasing the tax base in the country.

“Curtailing militancy in the Niger Delta and injecting back looted funds, diversification of the country’s revenue sources, controlled government spending and strong anti-leakage and
anti-corruption drives.”

He stated that GDP was projected to grow at 3.02 per cent in 2017, while inflation was expected to moderate to 12.92 per cent.

Also, consumption was projected to increase to N80.5 trillion.

“However, GDP growth at end of third quarter, 2016 slowed to 2.24 per cent, while inflation rose to an all-time high of 18.3 per cent.

“These budget growth levels in GDP and inflation are not achievable in 2017.”

NAN also reports that President Buhari is expected to present a proposed budget of N7.28 trillion for the year 2017 at a joint session of both chambers of National Assembly on Wednesday.

The proposed budget represents an increase of ‎about 19.95 per cent over the 2016 Appropriation of N6.07 trillion.

December 13, 2016
GOTV: Reps to investigate licence status

The House of Representatives on Tuesday mandated its Committee on Information, National Orientation, Ethics and Values to investigate the licence status of GOTV in the provision of Digital Terrestrial Television Services in Nigeria. It will also engage the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to enforce the pay-per view scheme on the digital television broadcasting service providers for the benefit of Nigerians.

The resolutions followed the adoption of a motion titled “Call for Investigation of the License Status of GOTV in the Provision of Digital Terrestrial Television Services in Nigeria’’, sponsored by Rep. Jones Onyereri (PDP-Imo). Moving the motion, Onyeriri argued that GOTV does not possess the licence to provide digital terrestrial television services in Nigeria.

He said that “Details Nigeria Limited” was the company which obtained a Digital Mobile TV (DSTV MOBILE) for 10 Nigerian cities in 2007. He said the license was then converted by GOTV to provide digital terrestrial television through a high-tech manoeuvre without due process and in violation of the provisions of the law,’’ Onyeriri said.

According to him, the National Broadcasting Commission is empowered to regulate the operations of Radio and Television stations, including Cable Television Services, direct broadcasting and any other medium of broadcasting in Nigeria.

“Section 2 (1) (g) of the Act empowers the Commission to receive processes and consider applications for the establishment, ownership or operations of radio and television stations in Nigeria.

“In violation of the Act, GOTV, a subsidiary of Multi-Choice Nigeria, started operations of Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting in April 2012 at Ibadan, Port Harcourt and Lagos without passing through the due process of bidding for the private signal distribution.

“Nigerians are made to pay for what they do not consume through the monthly subscription scheme presently obtainable in the service charges of major Digital Television Broadcasting service providers like DSTV, Star times and GOTV.

“This is as against the pay per view scheme obtainable in other countries like USA, UK, Brazil, France, and even South Africa,’’ Onyereri said.

The committee was given eight weeks to carry out the investigation and report back to the House for further legislative action.

December 13, 2016
Reps to Buhari: Suspend ban on importation of cars through land borders

President Muhammadu Buhari has been urged by the House of Representatives to suspend the ban on importation of new and used cars through land borders.

The ban that was announced on December 5, 2016 by the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) was due to take off from January 1, 2017.

The lawmakers however said the policy was too harsh as it is bound to pile more economic miseries on the majority of Nigerians that are already groaning under the prevailing economic recession.

The decision of the lawmakers followed the adoption of a motion by Abdulahi Salame (APC, Sokoto) who noted that the percentage of Nigerians who can afford cars has declined drastically following the decline in the value of naira, inflation, unemployment and high cost of living that has bedeviled Nigeria where over 80 percent of the population live below $200 a day.

Salame noted that, “With its powers under Section 18 of the Customs and Excise Management Act, the government can restrict the movement of goods into and out of Nigeria by land or inland waters and to appoint customs stations, but similar exercise of such powers on rice importation through the land borders in April 2016, has led to untold hardships on Nigerians as a bag of rice now sells for between N20, 000 and N23,000 as against N8,000 few months ago.

“We are also aware that the government has not put in place alternative measures to ensure that Nigerians will have access to cars since it is cheaper to buy cars from neighbouring countries and still generate revenue by ensuring that our borders are secured to prevent smuggling and also that there will not be job losses.

“Meanwhile, some of those making these policies have failed to patronize made-in-Nigeria goods, especially Nigerian assembled vehicles which are, in any case unaffordable to over 80 percent of Nigerians who can only afford fairly used imported cars.

“It is of concern that despite the pitiable state of most Nigerians occasioned by unemployment, lack of funds for survival and high cost of living which has sent many to their early graves, the government is adopting a policy that will further increase the sufferings of the masses at this critical time the country is in recession.

“It is equally worrisome that the ban will cause more harm than good as it will certainly lead to increase in smuggling, deprive poor Nigerians of access to acquiring vehicles, skyrocket the price of cars cleared at the wharf, increase inflation and further mount pressure on the already weak naira and lead to idleness, insecurity and criminality at the border points”.

Lawmakers that spoke in favour of the motion noted that it is the masses that would be affected more by the new policy.

According to them, the reason put forward about payment of duties was not enough to punish the entire country because non-payment of duties was carried out with the active connivance of security officials at the borders.

The lawmakers also argued that the ban was against the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Protocols on movement of goods and services.

The lawmakers said to implement the policy at a period of recession amount to Nigerians paying for the irresponsibility of agencies that should collect port duties on imported cars.

The lawmakers that supported the policy however noted that most policies of the administration of President Buhari were aimed at correcting fundamental and structural anomalies inherent in the system.

While they regretted that policies of this administration were often misunderstood and attacked, the antagonists of the bill recalled that three decades ago, Nigeria was the hub of economic activities in the sub-region, an advantage that has now been eroded due to reckless importation of unnecessary goods and services.

According to the lawmakers, this has reflected in job loss, with Nigeria not only becoming a dumping ground but also losing its technological development potentials to her neighbours.

They noted that as long as the government refused to do what it supposed to do by taking hard decisions, the country will remain on the path that has taken Nigeria nowhere so far.

As part of their resolution, the lawmakers urged the Federal government to ensure that the law enforcement agencies, especially those working at the borders, are diligent in their duties by ensuring that import charges through the land borders are paid when due and remitted to the government.

The House also urged the Federal government to install border security and surveillance equipment for effective monitoring to address the recurring menace of smuggling and ensure a maximum revenue generation on all lawfully imported goods.

The lawmakers equally urged the Federal government to expand its plan on youths empowerment programs by developing skills acquisition centers in border areas so as to enable the youth to acquire skills necessary for the type of businesses that are being carried out in the border areas and also employ more people from those areas into the border security agencies as they have relevant experiences on how goods are being moved in and out of the country.

Committees on Governmental Affairs and Customs and Excise were mandated to ensure implementation of the resolutions and report back within six weeks for further legislative action.

The motion was unanimously adopted after it was put to a voice vote by the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara.

December 8, 2016
Reps to impose time limit on ministers’ nomination

The House of Representatives on Thursday passed for second reading a bill that nomination for appointment of ministers should not be later than 30 days from when the president takes the oath of office.

The bill also seeks to provide that nomination for appointment of commissioners shall be made not later than 30 days from the date a governor is sworn in.

Presenting the bill, Rep. Solomon Adaelu (PDP-Abia), said that the need to ensure improved efficiency in governance prompted the amendment bill which sought to alter sections 147 and 192.

According to him, sections 147 and 192 of the constitution are not explicit as to when the president or governors are to make the nominations for appointment of ministers and commissioners.

“Consequently, it is feasible and practically necessary to impose a constitutional time limit for a president to present nominated ministers and their portfolios to the senate.

“Preferably, 30 days time limit after swearing in will be ideal as it provides sufficient time for the president to settle down into governance and carry out final vetting of his nominations.

“And also ensure that the running of governance is not necessarily delayed or held up by the absence of ministers to run the various government departments,’’ Adaelu said.

He emphasised that experience from other developed countries revealed that the chief executive already had clear nomination list prior to swearing in.

“And this is forwarded to the parliament within a short time of inauguration.

“This practice should be constitutionally mandated in Nigeria to improve the efficiency of governance upon a change in government.

“The experience of 2015 whereby it took almost four months after swearing in for the president to forward nominated names to the legislature resulted in a serious setback for governance.

“This adversely affected the serious handling of pressing national issues in the country; this must be prevented by constitutionally imposing a time limit,’’ Adaelu said.

He said that attaching portfolios would facilitate effective screening and deliberation by the legislature on the competence of the nominated person for the particular role he would play in government.

“This will greatly reduce the fixing of round pegs in square holes which is the bane of governance in Nigeria.

“The discretion of the president to assign people to whatever department he deems fit after screening by the legislature is unhealthy as the legislature will not be able to adequately assess his suitability for that role,’’ Adaelu said.

The Speaker, House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara, referred the bill to special ad hoc Committee on Constitution Review.

December 8, 2016
Reps set up Adhoc Committee on repatriation of Nigerian artifacts from US, Europe

The House of Representatives on Thursday, constituted an Adhoc Committee to carry out an investigation into the approach to be adopted, for repatriation of historical artefacts carted away from Nigeria.

Nigerian artefacts were carted away, especially during the colonial period now adorn various structures in the western world.

The constitution of the ad-hoc committee followed a motion by Rep. Ayokunle Isiaka (APC-Ogun), which was unanimously adopted by voice vote.

Moving the motion, Isiaka explained that many of the artefacts carted away from Nigeria had been sighted in schools, institutions and museums in the United States of America and Europe.

He added that Nigerians, especially the coming generations, were being deprived of the opportunities to experience major artistic works which reflected Nigerian historical culture and heritage.

“While the USA, France, Switzerland and Germany display Nigerians famous arts and antiques to attract tourists and earn revenue for their governments, Nigeria has lost its cultural goods for the foreign land.

“Also, valuable national antique pieces like Nok Terracotta baker (Eagan) Monoliths, lower Niger bronzes, Calibre Terracottas, carted from Nigeria are seated in Musee du quai, Paris.

“History beacons on the House to initiate measures that would lead to the return of these masterpieces of Nigerian art to the country to aid the nation’s cultural renaissance, he said.

He added that the move would attract more tourists and boost revenue earning for the country.

The House, therefore, mandated the committee to turn in its report within 12 weeks for further legislative action

December 8, 2016
Senate abolishes state joint local govt account

…Create office of elected Mayor for FCT

…Removes CCB from Executive

If the recommendation of the Senate Committee on the review of the 1999 Constitution is accepted by the House of Representatives and assented to by President Muhammadu Buhari, the state joint local government account will be a thing of the past.

The abolition of the state joint local government account is one of the highlights Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, presented to the Senate Thursday.

Ekweremadu also said that the Senate constitution committee adopted the recommendation to create a mayoral seat for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja.

He noted that the committee, inaugurated on 13^th January, 2016 had a clear mandate to reprocess the aspects of the Fourth Alteration Bill that had gained national consensus and enjoyed huge good-will from the general public, states, non-governmental organizations and international development organizations.

On local government administration, Ekweremadu said that Section 7 of the Constitution was amended essentially to strengthen local government administration in Nigeria by elaborately providing –    A uniform 3-year tenure for elected local government council officials; That Local Governments without a democratically elected council shall not be entitled to any revenue from the Federation Account.

Members of the committee, he said, believed that amendments will ensure effective service delivery and insulate local governments from undue and counter-productive interferences from state governments.

On distributable pool account, he said that Section 162 of the Constitution was amended to – Provide for national savings of 50% of   oil revenues above the bench mark for a particular year and 10% of any non- oil revenue paid into the Federation Account; Or such other percentage not less than that provided in this section as the National Assembly may determine in the Appropriation Act of a particular year.

To provide that any such savings as stipulated in this section will be distributed in accordance with the prevailing revenue sharing formula and in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution provided that the savings shall not be distributed in any period less than ten years from the date of a particular savings; and to     abrogate the State Joint Local Government Account and paying monies due to Local Government Councils directly into their respective accounts

The amended section, he said, also defined the fund of the State government; “that is, internally generated revenue from which a portion shall be paid into the Local Government Allocation Account.”

On authorization of expenditure, Ekweremadu said that Sections 82 and 122 of the Constitution were amended to reduce the period within which the President or a Governor may authorize the withdrawal of monies from the Consolidated Revenue Fund in the absence of an appropriation act from six months to three months.

The amendment, he explained was essentially to compel early presentation of budget proposal by the Executive arm of government thereby giving the legislature sufficient time to scrutinize such proposal.

On political parties and electoral matters, he said that Sections 134 (4) & (5), 179 (4) & (5) and 225 were amended to – Extend the time for conducting presidential and Governorship re-run elections where no clear winner has emerged   from seven to 21 days to give INEC sufficient time to plan, considering the logistics that is required such as printing and transporting new ballot papers for the elections;

To empower the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to de-register political parties for non-fulfillment of certain conditions such as breach of registration requirements and failure to secure/win either a presidential, governorship, Local Government chairmanship or a seat in the National or State Assembly elections.

On financial autonomy of state legislatures, he said that Section 121 of the Constitution was amended to guarantee a first line charge funding of State Houses of Assembly from the consolidated revenue fund of the State.

On status of the Federal Capital Territory, he noted that Sections 256, 299, 300, 301 and 302 of the Constitution were amended to Create the Office of an elected Mayor for the FCT with powers to administer the FCT as if it were a State of the Federation by exercising all functions presently administered by the Minister of the FCT.

On nomination of ministers and commissioners, he said that Sections 147 and 192 of the Constitution were amended to –   Ensure that the President and Governors designate and assign portfolios to persons nominated as ministers or commissioners respectively prior to confirmation by the Senate or State House of Assembly;

Provide a period of 60 days within which such nominations shall be forwarded to the Senate or State House of Assembly following inauguration; and

Provide 35% representation for women in the appointment of ministers and commissioners.

On the Legislature, he said that Sections 51, 67, 93 and 315 were amended to – Create the National Assembly Service Commission and the State House of Assembly Service Commission and empower the National Assembly and State House of Assembly respectively to provide for the powers and structure of the Commissions through subsequent legislations, and

To make it mandatory for the President to attend a joint meeting of the National Assembly once a year to deliver a State of the Nation Address.

Remove the law-making power of the Executive arm of government under S. 315 because “the extant provision is starkly contrary to Section 4 of the Constitution which confers law-making powers exclusively on the legislature.”

On the Judiciary, he said Sections 233, 237, 247, 251 and Part I of the Third Schedule of the Constitution were amended to- Provide for all appeals from the Court of Appeal to the Supreme Court to be by leave of the Supreme Court except in the case of Interpretation of the Constitution, death sentences and fundamental human rights.

Allow two justices of the Court of Appeal sitting in chambers to dispose any application for leave to appeal after considering the records of proceedings if the justices believe the interest of justice does not require an oral hearing of the application.

Establish a criminal division of the Federal High Court to try electoral offences, terrorism cases, economic and financial crimes cases etc.

Provide for appeals from the decisions of the National Industrial Court to the Court of Appeal.

Provide for 12 Justices of the Court of Appeal to be learned in Labour and Employment Matters for the purpose of hearing appeals from the National Industrial Court.

Improve the quality of representation in the National Judicial Council.

Put the Code of Conduct Tribunal under the control of the judiciary instead of the executive.

On devolution of powers, he said that the Second Schedule, Part I and II of the Constitution were altered to decongest the Exclusive legislative list to give more powers to states. This enhances the principle of federalism and good governance. It substituted “Post and Telegraphs” with “Post and Telecommunications”, and moved Pensions, Prisons, Railways, Stamp Duties and Wages from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent List and added Arbitration, Environment, Healthcare, Housing, Road Safety, pensions, Land and Agriculture, Youths, Public Complaints to the Concurrent List.

The committee also effected local government change of name by amending the First Schedule to change the names of local governments as follows:

“Afikpo North” and “Afikpo South” to “Afikpo” and “Edda” respectively;

“Egbado North” and “Egbado South” to “ Yewa North” and “Yewa South”;

“Obia/Akpor” to “Obio/Akpor”.

Ekweremadu noted that the Senate committee had concluded its assignment; they agreed to wait for the House of Representatives on Constitution review to conclude so that the two committee would harmonize before presenting the final report to the two chambers.

Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, asked the committee to work to beat the January 2017 deadline slated for the passage of the Bill.

December 8, 2016
Reps push for financial autonomy for NASS, Judiciary, INEC

…To give State control over mineral resources

The House of Representatives is pushing for financial autonomy for the National Assembly, State Houses of Assembly, Federal and State Judiciary as well as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and it’s State version.

The lawmakers have also waded into the resource control controversy by commencing the process of granting States the control of mineral resources in their domain.

This followed the second reading of a bill sponsored by Aminu Shagari (APC, Sokoto) who said the alteration of the 1999 constitution would place the Federal and State legiaalture, the judiciary and INEC on first line charge.

According to him, the two arms of government and INEC would no longer have to rely on the Executive for their finances if they truly want to carry out their statutory responsibilities independently.

The bill is seeking to alter Section 81 of the Constitution by adding two new sub-sections whereby “The President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission shall cause and laid before each House of National Assembly, at any time in each financial year, estimates of the revenues and expenditures of the National Assembly, the judiciary and the Independent National Electoral Commission respectively”.

The implication is that the heads of expenditures, proposed for the benefit of the National Assembly, the judiciary and INEC would henceforth be charged upon the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

Consequently, their money bills would be known as Consolidated Charge Fund (National Assembly) bill, Consolidated Charge Fund (Judiciary) bill and Consolidated Charge Fund (INEC) bill.

The bill is also seeking to delete Sub-section 3 of the constitution and replace it with a clause whereby any amount standing to the credit of the National Assembly, ,Judiciary and INEC shall be paid and disbursed directly to the Clerk of the National Assembly, National Judicial Council and Chairman INEC respectively for disbursement and management.

Alteration of Section 121 was meant to effect same changes at State level.

“The essence of the alteration is to allow the legislature, the judiciary and the Electoral Commission at Federal and State prepare their estimates and present it before the Assembly.

“This will allow them to have their budgetary allocations disbursed directly to them.

“The intent of this is to truly make them independent in carrying out their statutory responsibilities and eliminate chances of being compromised.

“It goes without saying that they cannot be independent if they go cap in hand to the Executive every time for thier allocations,” Shagari said.

Similarly, the Minority Leader Leo Ogor (PDP, Delta) in his bill for an Act to alter the 1999 constitution to vest the control of the revenues derived from minerals, mineral oils and natural gas, under or upon any land in the State of the Federation, argued that the alteration was to relief the Exclusive List of some unnecessary burden while freeing up States to unlock their potentials.

He also said that the diversification of the economy drive of the government would become meaningful as States would henceforth have the benefit of concentrating on their individual strengths in production.

He said: “Nigeria is blessed with natural resources and there is no State that does not have natural resources they can depend on but monthly allocations from the Federation Account has made everyone lazy.

“If the overloaded Exclusive list is freed up and the Federal government allowed to concentrate on security and the most critical issues, then the States would have the opportunity of specialising in the production of natural resources at their disposal.

“If States would have to give a percentage of the earnings from their resources, every State would grow, if greater opportunity is provided for the States to manage their resources, the economy would grow. This is the foundation for diversification”.

Emmanuel Oker-Jev, said the bill must be supported because it was aiming to accomplish what the 2014 National Conference failed to do on resource control.

The two bills scaled second reading after being put to voice vote by the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara who referred them to the special ad hoc Committee on the review of the 1999 constitution.

December 7, 2016
Reps pass motion to invite Abdulmumin Jibrin over fresh petitions

The House of Representatives has passed a resolution to allow Rep. Abdulmumin Jibrin into the National Assembly premises for the purpose of defending himself before the Ethics and Privileges Committee following fresh petitions against him.

This followed a motion by Rep. Ossai Ossai, the Chairman of the Ethics Committee, which was unanimously adopted by members through a voice vote.

Moving the motion, Ossai explained that the motion followed the receipt of two fresh petitions against Jibrin by the National Youth Council.

Ossai said “the Committee on Ethics and Privileges has commenced investigations into the petitions and it seeks the indulgence of the house to invite Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin.

“It is on the grounds of fair hearing that he will be allowed into the premises of the House for the purpose of defending allegations contained in the petitions,”he said.

Ossai said that the petitions received against Jibrin were on his absenteeism and the poor representation of his constituency of Kiru/Bebeji in Kano State and for operating foreign accounts which were in violation of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

Rep. Aliyu Madaki (APC-Kano) said that since Jibrin had been suspended and the issue was a subject of litigation, there was no need to consider the motion.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara, said that the matter in court did not have anything to do with absenteeism or the foreign accounts said to be operated by Jibrin.

Dogara said, “we don’t know of any case in court as regards operating foreign accounts or absenteeism, but this is in line with a fair hearing and I think that is why the motion is here.”

Jibrin was suspended in September 2016 for 180 legislative days for breach of members’ privilege in his 2016 budget padding allegations.

December 7, 2016