The Nation Newspaper

Tag: House of Representatives

  • Reps probe FG’s N35bn insurance spending

    Reps probe FG’s N35bn insurance spending

    The House of Representatives, Tuesday resolved to look into the N35 billion insurance bill on insurance covers of fixed and non-fixed government assets in the 2015 appropriation.

    The Green Chamber is to constitute an Ad-Hoc committee to compel the Head of Service of the Federation and other statutory government establishments that purchase direct insurance covers to provide detailed data.

    The data is to include all premiums paid on group life and related government assets within the last three months.

    Lawmakers further resolved to investigate the complicity of brokerage firms, Insurance and Reinsurance companies in the alleged multi-billion naira return on premium practice.

    It will also carry out an in-depth audit of the selection process and execution of such covers by government assets underwriters with the view of “eradicating the fraudulent process.”

    The resolutions of the House was sequel to the passage of a motion under matters of urgent public importance by a member, Hon. Ossy Prestige (APGA-Abia) on the floor at plenary.

    Prestige while moving the motion, noted that for every N10 billion paid as insurance premium by government, N5billion was returned to corrupt government officials.

    His words:  “at the beginning of every financial year brokerage, firm, insurance and reinsurance companies are invited to bid for insurance of government fixed and non-fixed assets.

    “Although the processes are presumably carried out in line with the Public Procurement Act, it is generally believed that some companies are unduly favoured during such bid.

    “The unduly favoured companies reciprocate by engaging in a fraudulent practice termed Return on Premium.

    “A percentage as much as 50 per cent of the premium paid by government is returned to government officials as cash pay back thus creating the biggest recurring fraud in the public sector.

    “To best appreciate the magnitude of fraud being perpetrated, for every N10 billion paid as insurance premium by government, N5billion is returned to corrupt government officials.”

    Prestige said if this alleged criminal practice was not checked, billions of naira meant for other pressing national needs, would continue to go into private pockets.

    According to him, this practice will continue to effect the national economy adversely.
    The motion was overwhelmingly supported when it was voted on by members.

  • ‘Proposed NASS immunity, pension laws, a Coup against Nigerians’

    ‘Proposed NASS immunity, pension laws, a Coup against Nigerians’

    A lawyer and rights activist, Kabir Akingbolu, has asked the Federal High Court in Lagos to stop the National Assembly (NASS) from passing any law that will grant immunity and life pension to principal officers of the Senate and House of Representatives.

    Akingbolu said the lawmakers’ move violates constitutional provisions against corrupt practices and abuse of power, and is also ‘a coup against the people.’

    Apart from the NASS, other defendants to the suit are Senate President, Bukola Saraki; Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami.

    The plaintiff argued that considering the provision of Section 14 (1) and (2) (b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), NASS’ move to propose pension for its leaders is unlawful.

    Alluding to Sections 15(5), 16(1)(b), (2)(a)(b) and 17 (1) of the Constitution, Akingbolu argued that the proposed laws will put resources ‘meant for the common good’ in the hands of a few individual, and also encourage corrupt practices.

    “For decades, no member or officer of the National Assembly has been granted immunity and there was no harassment of the holders of the said offices.

    “The move to immunize the officers of the National Assembly against liability for offences while in office is anti-people and unconstitutional because every citizen of Nigeria is equal before the law.

    “All over the world, there is nowhere the members of the legislature are granted immunity against offences and the granting of same is crude, archaic and an attempt to bring lawmakers above the people and the law,” Akingbolu said.

    No date has been fixed for hearing of the suit.

  • Reps meet service chiefs over insecurity

    Reps meet service chiefs over insecurity

    The House of Representatives, on Monday in Abuja met with the nation’s security chiefs to find solution to the incessant destruction of lives and property across the country.

    The lawmakers particularly expressed concern over the situation in Aba, Abia, Abuja and other capital cities in the country.

    Speaking at the meeting, Chairman, House Committee on Army, Shawulu Kwewum, emphasized the need to ensure safety of the citizens at all times.

    According to him, it is unfortunate that Abia, as one of the original nine oil producing states, is naturally affected by some of the challenges facing the oil-bearing states.

    Kwewum said that records from the Nigerian Police made available to the committee in Umuahia, showed that five kidnapping incidents were recorded in January, 2016.

    He, however, said that the victims were eventually rescued.

    Kwewum explained that a single kidnap case in any location in the country would not be acceptable and therefore, said that all hands must be on deck to ensure that this menace was completely addressed.

    “At a town hall meeting, several groups and individuals told the committee that at least five persons are kidnapped every day in Aba.

    “Three incidents were recorded in February, 2016 and the three were rescued and released.

    “Also in March 2016, four incidents were recorded; three were rescued while one died. In April, 2016, one incident was recorded while two incidents were recorded in May, 2016.

    “Of course, this has become more urgent because kidnapping has become widespread and even the federal capital territory is not a safe haven.

    “This meeting has become very important because the technology developed to make life easy for Nigerians is now being used to facilitate the extortion that goes with kidnapping,” Kwewum said.

    He said that due to the spate of kidnappings of innocent citizens, many businesses were folding up in Aba.

    He further said that the security situation had taken a new trend considering the killings of armed security operatives.

    Responding on behalf of the security agencies, acting Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, commended the committee for convening the meeting.

    Idris, who was represented by a Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Force Headquarters, Joshak Habila, assured that ongoing collaboration among security agencies would rid the country of crimes and provide security.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting was attended by representatives of Department of State Security (DSS), Nigerian Police and Nigerian Army.

     

  • Ikorodu killings: House of Representatives to the rescue

    Ikorodu killings: House of Representatives to the rescue

    •Orders Police I.G, NEMA to help communities

    The House of Representatives on Thursday gave hope to the people of Igbo-olomu, Agbede, Elepete and other communities on the border of Lagos and Ogun States that were recently ravaged by rampaging militants in an invasion that left nearly 20 persons dead and many more injured.

    Tongues are still waging within and outside the two southwestern states following the unprovoked attacks, two weeks ago, on the communities by people suspected to be Ijaw militants who had, prior to the attack, sent letters to the residents of the area, intimating them of the intention to attack the area and kill, as well as destroy properties.

    Weeks after the incident which attracted widespread condemnation, the few residents who had summoned enough courage to return to the communities after thousands fled in the wake of the brutal killings, continue to lament the absence of security operatives and emergency relief workers in the communities.

    But the lower House on Thursday, following a motion moved by Hon. Babajimi Benson representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency and promptly seconded by Hon. Mukaila Kazzim representing Abeokuta North/Obafemi Owode/Odeda Federal Constituency, directed the Inspector General of Police and other security agencies particularly the Army and Navy to protect lives and properties in the affected communities.

    Benson, while moving the motion  stated while debating the motion in a passionate voice on the floor of the House, painted a gory picture of the incidents of the last two weeks in the affected communities and urged his colleagues to pity the unfortunate conditions into which many families and residents of the area have been thrown by the rampaging attackers.

    He lamented that it is an unfortunate thing that the militants come into the area and leave, through the creeks, unhindered. He expressed fears that unless drastic security measures are taken, it is not impossible that the killer gangs would attempt to repeat their visits to the affected communities or other communities around the area.

    “The riverine communities are supposed to be protected by the Federal Government, the Army and Navy. Considering that the Constitution guarantees the right to life and dignity of human person, I urge the 8th Assembly to assist in putting a stop to the attacks by mandating the police, the army, the navy and also NEMA to pay particular attention to these communities so that these heinous crimes can be abated.” He urged that the motion be given urgent consideration by the House.

    The lawmaker also noted the resurgence of coordinated attacks in Ishawo,  Elepe, Agbede, Igbo-Olomu Areas of Ikorodu, a suburb in Lagos State, where cases of abduction and killing have been reported. According to him, the onslaught by militants/gunmen against riverine communities in Lagos State and parts of Ogun State, has increased in recent time

    He said the motion is premised on his concern that the number of lives lost and properties that have been destroyed in the last month have not received the required and urgent attention from the Federal government, leaving only the Lagos State Government to attempt to curtail the attacks.

    He is also worried that the number of internally displaced persons in Lagos State has been on the increase as residents have continue to flee their houses  to other communities that are considered to be safer.

    Seconding the motion and urging its consideration by the House, Kazzim noted that a similar motion was sponsored by him on December 15, 2015, highlighting the activities of militants in the same area.

    The House in its ruling on the motion, urge the Inspector General of Police and other security agencies particularly the Army and Navy to protect lives and properties in the affected communities. It also directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to carry out a fact finding mission in order to ascertain the level of damages and provide relief materials to the victims;

    To ensure that its attempt to put smiles on the faces of the residents of the affected communities is not in vain, Speaker Yakubu Dogara specifically mandated the Committees on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness, Defence, Police Affairs and Legislative Compliance to ensure compliance.

  • Edo 2016:  Sheriff Should Forgive Us- PDP Lawmaker

    Edo 2016:  Sheriff Should Forgive Us- PDP Lawmaker

    Apparently worried by the lingering National leadership crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party, a member of the House of Representatives has appealed for understanding just as he called for a united opposition party in the country

    Hon. Sergius Oguns, member representing Esan south east and Esan north east federal constituency who disclosed this said, the PDP must put its house in order for the sake of providing a viable opposition party to checkmate what he described as ‘excesses’ of the ruling party.

    Speaking at his country home in Ugboha,Esan south east local government area of the, said “I want to say the least I can’t say I am worried,I was a member of the convention committee, I was there at Port Harcourt and when we returned back from the convention to Abuja, the minority leader in the house of Representative called some of us to go and see Alhaji Ahmadu Sheriff to plead with him that the party is supreme, that he should put the party first, that if we have offended him as a person ,we are coming on behalf of the PDP caucus in the house to ask for your forgiveness.

    “Ahmadu complained of the injunctions that came and others saying that was the reason he stopped the Port Harcourt convention, he now told us that the governors have immunity ,that he doesn’t have, that he can be arrested, so he needs to obey the court orders, so we now pleaded that for whatever happened he should forgive us in the interest of the party.

    “We left and regrouped that same evening to see Prof. Jerry Gana in his place to also let him know that we have met with Ahmadu Sheriff so that the supremacy of the party can prevail. So the next day,the BoT of the party meet with the caretaker committee,then it was resolved that the stakeholders are ready to work with the caretaker committee.

    “In that meeting it was also resolved that some of our leaders, should get in touch with Ahmadu Sheriff and his people and it was later reported back that they couldn’t reach him, so I was surprised when I saw

    in the papers that Ahmadu Sheriff said nobody reached him,that wasn’t correct. I personally was in his house alongside other caucus members.

    “My prayers is that, His Excellency, Ahamdu Sheriff would for the sake of the party,do the needful and withdraw the cases in court and let us have one United party, so that we as an opposition party can take on the government of the day. As you and I know,things are not working right in this country,when was the last time did you hear someone speak as a united PDP? Nobody. So I will plead with him that if people offended him,we say sorry and for the sake of Nigeria,let’s have a strong opposition party to check the government of the day.

  • Visa abuse: Reps seek deportation of three Hyundai expatriates

    Visa abuse: Reps seek deportation of three Hyundai expatriates

    •Order DSS, FIRS, AGF to investigate firm

    The House of Representatives has frowned at the flagrant abuse of expatriate quota system by foreign companies.

    It asked the Minister of Interior, Gen Abdulrahman Dambazzau (retd), to apply the maximum limit in the deportation order of three workers of Hyundai Heavy Industry Ltd (HHI).

    The affected expatriates are Een Soon Moon, Lee Byung Woo and Lee Yoo Jong.

    The Emmanuel Okon-led Committee on Local Content also said it will invite officials of the Department of State Services (DSS), Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF) to further investigate the activities and finances of HHI since its inception in Nigeria.

    If found wanting after the investigation, the House said it will recommend to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation  (NNPC) and other appropriate authorities that HHI and its subsidiaries are not fit to operate in the nation’s oil industry.

    The development followed the discovery of gross violation of the provisions of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Content Development Act, 2010 by HHI with particular reference to the requirements for the expatriate quota approval.

    Committee Chairman Okon, on Friday during a meeting with officials of NIS and HHI, recalled that at its April 26, 2016 meeting with officials of HHI, it was discovered that Jong Lee, who represented the Managing Director was working in Nigeria on expired Temporary Working Permit (TWP).

    He said: “He was handed over to the NIS with a request to investigate the HHI and the expatriate quota status of all the expatriates in the company.

    “Upon carrying the investigation, Lee was eventually repatriated from Nigeria only to have secretly re-entered Nigeria with Subject to Registration Visa (STR) and back working in the company’s Lagos office.

    “Further investigation by the Committee also yielded the fact that almost all the expatriates in the company have defective or expired visas.

    “Findings of NIS confirmed that Messrs Moon Soo and Lee Jong work for two different companies even though the two are subsidiaries of South Korea-based parent company HHI.”

    Okon said the decision of the Committee was not difficult to arrive at because officials of HHI had very little or no regard for the nation’s extant laws by continuing with their operations and flagrant disregard for the rules despite observations by appropriate authorities.

    “If the situation is not properly addressed, it will send a bad signal to the rest of the industry and beyond because the misuse and abuse of expatriate quota is a common occurrence with companies who bring in foreigners nationals.

    “The Federal Ministry of Interior and the NIS must step up in the regulation of the quota system,” Okon added.

  • Land swap: Reps order EFCC, ICPC to probe Ex- Minister, others

    Land swap: Reps order EFCC, ICPC to probe Ex- Minister, others

    The House of Representatives Thursdays ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission, ICPC to investigate the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Bala Muhammed over the FCT Land Swap Programme.

    According to the House, others to be investigated by the anti- graft agencies are Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Engr Adamu Ismaila and the Coordinator, Abuja Infrastructure Investment Center (AIIC), Mr Faruk Sani.

    The investigation is to “ascertain their culpability or otherwise in the abuse of Financial Regulations, Due Process Procedures, and ICRC regulations with regard to the Land Swap Program.”

    The position of the House was sequel to the consideration and adoption of the recommendations of the report of the Herman Hembe- headed House Committee on FCT on the Investigation of the Abandoned Capital Projects and Alleged Malpractices Associated with the Land Swap Deals in the Federal Capital Territory.

    The previous FCT administration awarded and allocated over 7,600 hectares of land to companies and individuals under the Land Swap programme.

    “The EFCC/ICPC should as a matter of urgency, recover the said lands from the investors who are in breach of the terms of the land swap agreement entered into with the FCT,” the House said.

    The green Chamber also resolved that “relevant Security/Law Enforcement Agencies should investigate and track all monies expended outside the laid down Financial Guidelines for the Program, particularly, monies paid to the FCTA Land Swap Programme Account with the FCMB Plc, and the private personal account of Mustafa Usman Kaoje, the Accountant of AIIC and any other official of FCTA and AIIC.

    “That appropriate sanctions, as contained in Part V of the Financial Regulations, 2009 of the  Federal Republic of Nigeria be meted out by the relevant authorities on any officer found to have paid/collected money in cash/cheque without proof of exemption from the Federal Government E- Payment Policy;

    “That relevant security/law enforcement agencies should recover, for the FCT, all vehicles purchased with the Land Swap Project Funds for any official of FCTA, FCDA and AIIC;

    “That relevant security and other financial regulatory agencies should investigate the role of Aso Savings and Loans Plc, in conniving with some investors to misrepresent to the AIIC as to the financial standing of those investors with accounts in the said bank.”

    The House also recommended the termination of any Investor, who failed to meet the Basic Condition for participation/eligibility in the land swap program “particularly, the provision specifying that the Investor/Developer was to make available (in a dedicated project account) the sum of ₦350,000,000.00 (Three Hundred and Fifty Million Naira) as a Commitment fee on presentation of its Business plan.”

    The lawmakers advised that should the FCT Administration wish to continue the program, it

    “Should follow due process, adhere to relevant laws and ensure that only the most qualified investors are chosen to participate in the programme on a phase by phase basis.”

    Meanwhile, the House commenced a two-week Id-El- Fitri break to resume on the 12th of July.

     

  • Reps bill to protect social media users passes second reading

    Reps bill to protect social media users passes second reading

    A ‎bill to protect social media users against hate speech was passed through second reading yesterday by the House of Representatives.

    The bill with the title: A Bill for an Act to Provide for the Protection of Human Rights Online, was sponsored by a member, Hon. Chukwuemeka Ujam (PDP-Enugu),

    The piece of legislation, also known as the Digital Rights and Freedom Bill, seeks to guard and guide Nigerian internet users on their rights and to protect the rights from infringement.

    The bill was unanimously passed when the Speaker Yakubu Dogara called for a voice vote and was referred to the Committees on Telecommunications and Human Rights.

    The proposed bill, in Section 20(3), provides against hate speech online. while Section 12 of the Bill outlines the process to be followed before access is granted to governmental agencies and others to the personal data of citizens.

    Part of the provisions of the bill is the provision for the protection of citizen’s rights to the Internet and it’s free use without undue monitoring.

    Ujam while speaking on the bill at plenary said the proposed legislation is targeted at ensuring openness, Internet access, affordability and freedom of information online.

    According to him, despite being a subscriber to international charters which recognise freedom and access to the Internet as a human right, such as the African Union Convention on Cyber-Security and Personal Data Protection of 2014, Nigeria lacked a legal framework for the protection of internet users,

    He said: “For the first time in the history of Nigeria and by extension,Africa, offences relating to the ownership of personal data, hate speech online is addressed through the instrumentally of this piece of legislation called the Digital Rights Bill”.

    Aminu Shagari (APC-Sokoto) and Mohammed Sani Zoro (APC-Jigawa) while supporting the bill opined that unlike an earlier attempt to regulate the internet by the Senate, the Digital Rights Bill is designed for the protection of persons online.

    Sani Zoro especially harped on the need for creating awareness on the details of bill to prevent the public from mistaking it as  legislation that will restrict the freedom of internet users in the country.

  • Reps, Fashola row over N35b housing budget

    Reps, Fashola row over N35b housing budget

    The House of Representatives Committee on Housing yesterday expressed doubts over the preparedness of the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing to implement the N35billion housing component of the Ministry’s budget.

    Chairman of the Committee, Mustapha Bala (APC, Kano) during an interactive session with the Ministry on the status of the budget implementation, doubted the competence of the Ministry to implement the National Housing project, six months into the fiscal year.

    He became agitated when the  Minister, Babatunde Fashola in his presentation, said the Ministry was still in the process of sorting out the designs for the project.

    He said: “What has the Ministry been doing since November last year when the budget was presented  till now that appropriate designs are not ready? You have not even advertised it.

    “Are you not competent, or what, because you ought to have completed the design by February so that once the budget was passed, you commence implementation. Design should not take more than 15 days because your experts in the Ministry have been doing it for years.

    “By the time you start this project, you will have just about three months left in the year, even if the budget is extended to March 2017, that will be just six months.”

    The Committee also wondered why the Ministry could not dispense with redundant and non-performing PPPs, wondering if there was a framework and criteria for qualification.

    In his response, Fashola said the blame should not be heaped on the Ministry.

    He said: “That is a strange question because a bulk sum was proposed in the budget for the National Housing project  and we asked states in need  to access it willingly but the House insisted that it must go round.

    “The result is what we are seeing  now, many did not respond  because housing needs of each state differs, taking into cognisance the role migratory factor plays here.”

    He also said the Ministry should be commended rather than criticised for the work it has done on the project. “The Ministry should be commended and  not condemned because the budget is inadequate.

    “As a result of that, we are focusing on sustainable housing plan that works rather than rushing the budget, affordability and slum prevention is key to this design.

    “Other countries that had housing programme decades ago did not even have 100 per cent home owners but they have a near uniformity of designs. By the time we go full circle, we won’t be talking of N35billion but hundreds of billions

    “Why it took so long for the  design to be ready, infrastructures-roads, sewage disposal, water and others   have to be planned into the housing and that’s what the Ministry is doing.

    “To say all these should be done in three months is difficult because we need a plan that will accomodate cultures and other peculariaries of each state. Our designs are based on feedback.

    “I appeal to the House that we look at the larger picture, even if you are not impressed with my staff, I  have a different opinion.”

    Fashola, who said he inherited a 2012 Housing Plan that had no implementation blue print entered into by previous administrations could not solve the country’s housing challenges.

  • Sex scandal: I have proof that will clear my name – Ikon

    One of the three members of the House of Representatives accused of soliciting for prostitutes in the United States of America while on a leadership training program, Samuel Ikon, has said he has irrefutable proof that will clear him name.

    Ikon, in a letter dated 16th June 2016 and addressed to Mr. James F. Entwistle, the Ambassador of the United States to Nigeria said he was pained by the allegation which he said was untrue.

    “let me state unequivocally sir that the allegation is not just false but in bad taste. I Hon. Samuel Ikon never in that trip, nor on any other trip to the US or anywhere else in the world, consort or sought to consort with prostitutes.”

    He said the act would not only be inimical to his health but totally unacceptable to his faith.

    “I’m an elder in my church since 2006 and clearly know the tenets and doctrines of my faith one of which abhors such desires for prostitutes as such very offensive to be linked.

    “I have no reason to seek comfort in the bosom of a prostitute with all attendant health risks especially the latest known as Zika Virus which has entered the USA.

    “I have another proof of my innocence which will completely tear down this false conclusion but will leave it out for a later time should you fail to redeem my integrity and I’m forced to take legal action.”

    “I therefore urge that you review this case within 7 days taking a more detailed look at evidences available for such like video recording, especially video showing time and date of such discussion, so you can realize a mistake has been made here and my integrity restored, else I will be seeking legal redress in competent courts of law both in Nigeria and in the US.”