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Tag: minister

  • Minister: I am aware of security lapses in Kuje prison

    Minister: I am aware of security lapses in Kuje prison

    •Dambazzau: This is a sad moment for me
    •Fed Govt sets up investigation panel

    The Minister of Interior, Gen. Abdurahaman Dambazzau, has attributed the jail break at Medium Prison in Kuje to security lapses which he said was noticed when he last visited.

    Two inmate standing trial for murder at the weekend escaped and are still at large following.

    Speaking with reporters yesterday shortly after he was taken round the facility and briefed on how the prisoners escaped, the minister said investigation into the matter would be taken to a logical conclusion.

    On what could be responsible for the incident, the minister said: “ The last time I was here I noticed some security gap in the prison, I made my observation then with the former CG with the present controller prison and I notice the security gap and I told them precisely what to do but unfortunately this has occurred.

    “Two prisoners escape. And especially these are prisoners who are awaiting trial for murder. So, this is a very serious issue that I cannot be happy about. I think those lapses were the ones that made it possible for the escape.

    “I am sad  at the moment that two awaiting trial inmates escaped.”

    He assured that the present government will do everything  possible to ensure that Nigeria Prison become a better place for inmates who pass through the prisons.

    The minister said an investigative panel has been set up to investigate the incident while the Controller General of the NPS was also directed to work closely with the police, Immigration, Department of State Services (DSS) and other security operatives to ensure speedy rearrest of the escapees.

     

  • Fed Govt won’t stifle press freedom, says minister

    Fed Govt won’t stifle press freedom, says minister

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has reassured that the Federal Government would not do anything to stifle press freedom.

    The minister gave the assurance on Tuesday at the Third Forum on China-Africa Media Cooperation in Beijing, China.

    In a statement issued on the event by Mr Segun Adeyemi, the Special Adviser to the Minister, Mohammed described the Nigerian media as one of the most vibrant in Africa and indeed across the world.

    In the statement in Abuja, the minister noted that the media has come a long way.

    “On our part as government, we do not intend to do anything to stifle press freedom. Media practitioners have nothing to fear from us.

    “Of course, as I hinted earlier, we are the ones who have much to fear from the media practitioners.

    “As a government, we believe that democracy itself is imperilled when the media is in chains. We see the media as a partner in progress, not some enemy to be crushed”.

    However, the minister, according to the statement, said that government expected a high level of responsible journalism from the practitioners.

    He said that journalists were expected to put the collective interest above individual consideration and safeguard the truth rather than push out rumours as facts.

  • Why MTN’s N1.04tr fine was cut to N330b, by minister

    Why MTN’s N1.04tr fine was cut to N330b, by minister

    The Presidency and the Senate are heading for a showdown over the reduction of the N1.04 trillion fine imposed on MTN Nigeria first to N780 billion and thereafter to N330 billion.

    MTN was fined for failing to meet the deadline fixed by the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) to disconnect unregistered subscribers .

    The firm was fined $1,000 per each of its affected 5.2 million subscribers, totalling $5.2 billion

    Minister of Communication Adebayo Shittu explained at the weekend, that the reduction was approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to avoid stifling foreign investments.

    But the Senate has queried the action, alleging that the process was not transparent.

    It summoned the Minister of Communication, the Attorney General of the Federation, the Governor of the Central Bank  of Nigeria (CBN) and the chief executive of the NCC.

    Speaking at the Achiever’s Award ceremony in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, at the weekend, where the Otun Olubadan of Ibadan, Senator Lekan Balogun, was honoured, Shittu said FEC decided to relax the penalty after realising the negative impact the burden could have on the nation, its people and the economy.

    He said:  “As far as we are concerned, the MTN issue is a closed matter. The Federal Executive Council has remitted substantial part of the penalty to them. Nigeria as a country must move on. We must not do anything to drive away foreign investors. Foreign investments are potent means of bringing about development and wealth creation.

    “Again, we must not forget that before MTN and other telecoms operators came on board, Nigeria had only less than 500,000 telephone lines. Today, because of their involvement, Nigeria now has more than 152 million lines and MTN is the dominant operator in the field. It controls almost 50 per cent of the lines. Though they (MTN) have violated the law and we have put in the necessary penalty, we must put a halt to the limitless crisis so that we don’t discourage foreign investors. That is what the executive has done to ensure we move ahead.

    “We know, for instance, that MTN operates in 22 countries. And that what they make in Nigeria alone is more than what they make in other 21 countries put together,” he said.

    Shittu also advised telecoms operators against taking Nigeria and their customers for granted, warning that all infractions would be appropriately sanctioned.

    “The operators owe a duty to Nigerians to continue to improve on their services. Nigerians have been paying through thick and thin to enjoy and patronise them. To whom much is given, much is expected.”

    The Senate said the transactions were fraught with “suspected criminal tendencies as they were perfected secretly, particularly without recourse to due process”.

    Senate Committee on Communications Chairman Gilbert Nnaji, in a letter titled “Re: Settlement between NCC and MTN over fine”, expressed dismay over how the “settlement agreement of N330 billion was reached with MTN out of a whooping N1.04 trillion”.

    The letter was dated June 15, 2016 and addressed separately to stakeholders, including Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Minister of Communications, Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of NCC, Accountant-General of the Federation, Minister of Communications, Managing Director/CEO of MTN and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

    He noted: “As a committee and representatives of the Nigerian people, we are saddened about this development at a time when the Nigerian economy needs all the available capital infusion to bolster it.

    “It is our strong opinion that Nigeria has been shortchanged in this whole process on account of the ridiculous settlement payment plan, coupled with the disparity in the exchange rate regime when the fine was imposed ab initio compared with the current prevailing exchange rate when it was agreed to cut the fine to N330 billion.”

    Specifically, Senator Nnaji lamented that “NCC could engage in such a negotiation that is tainted with a lot of questionable conclusions without the knowledge of the Committee”.

    He added that “the Committee is worried about this development because it is on record that during our last investigative meeting with all the relevant parties to this matter on Thursday, March 10, 2016, the Committee was informed that the case was still in court and that it was adjourned till March 18.

    “The Committee was not aware of the outcome of the court case, neither was it privy to any active negotiation that led to the fine being reduced to N330 billion.

    “It is our concern that Nigeria has been shortchanged in this whole process on account of the ridiculous settlement payment plan, coupled with the fact that parties involved in the negotiation were either oblivious of the exchange rate value of the Naira to the Dollar when the sanction was meted originally compared to current exchange rate regime when the value of the Naira is now on the downward slide.”

    “Consequently, you are hereby invited to appear before the Committee to shed more light on the issues surrounding the settlement.

    “You are requested to furnish the Committee with the following information to guide it in its deliberation: Document(s) detailing Presidential Directive to “accede that MTN should pay N330 billion to the Nigerian Government” as contained in paragraph1of your letter.”

    “Document (s) specifying evidence of negotiation such as the terms of negotiation.

    “Parties to the negotiation; modalities for arriving at N330 billion; minutes of negotiation meeting and other relevant information.

    “Relevant section(s) of the NCC Act 2003 that empowers NCC to impose fines accompanied with sections empowering the commission to reduce fines.

    “Detailed reason(s) for the reduction of the fine from N1.04 trillion to N780 billion to N330 billion;

    “Detailed information on the major role(s) being played by Accountant-General of the Federation in the entire negotiation and settlement process.

    “A copy of the settlement agreement and evidence of participation of the Ministry(of Communications) and its major inputs at the negotiation meeting.

    “Evidence of out-of-court settlement between MTN and the Federal Government.

    “Then for “the Governor of CBN as the custodian of the CBN Recovery Account into which the initial N50 billion was lodged and as a principal player in the whole process” he is expected to present to the committee, the “Current position of the Recovery Account”, the memo said.

  • Wheat importation to end soon, says minister

    Wheat importation to end soon, says minister

    Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development Mr. Heineken Lokpobiri has said importation of wheat will end soon.

    He spoke in Abuja at the signing of  a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Flour Milling Association of Nigeria (FMAN) and the Wheat Farmers Association of Nigeria (WFAN) to produce wheat locally.

    The minister said a tonnage of wheat would cost N140, 000 in the first year of the agreement.

    The minister expressed satisfaction over the agreement, adding that wheat importation had drained billions of naira from the country.

    Lokpobiri said jobs lost to wheat importation would be saved.

    He said the ministry was excited about the deal given the dwindling fortunes from oil as well as the fact that there is no more foreign exchange available for such importations.

    Vice Chairman, FMAN, Mr. Lanre Jaiyeola, said the association would abide by the agreement.

    Vice Chairman, Kano State chapter of the Wheat Farmers Association of Nigeria (WFAN), Farouk Rabiu Mudi, expressed faith in the collaboration.

    Executive Director, Lake Chad Research Institute (LCRI), Dr. Oluwasina Olabanji, market and inputs remained key challenges for local wheat production.

     

  • Nigerians ‘ll soon experience better times, says minister

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed,  yesterday said the Federal Government was working diligently toward making life more meaningful for Nigerians through carefully designed projects.

    Mohammed spoke in Lagos at the 8th Alhaji Kafaru Tinubu Memorial Ramadan Lecture, with the theme: “Supreme Sacrifice and the Essence of Followership in Governance’’.

    He said the government was aware of the plight of many citizens due to the challenges in the economy.

    According to him, a N500 billion Social Intervention Programme has been put in place to help alleviate poverty.

    The minister said the huge money earmarked for the intervention programme in the 2016 budget was one of the sacrifices the government had to make in the face of falling revenue.

    “This government is making a lot of sacrifices and it is also expecting a lot of sacrifices from the people.

    “The N500 billion Social Intervention Programme which is broken into five parts covers employment of 500, 000 unemployed graduates who will be trained as teachers.

    “It also covers the employment of 100, 000 artisans as well as the One-Meal-A-Day programme for pupils in primary schools.

    “The Enterprise Scheme which is targeted at one million market men and women, 460, 000 artisans, 200, 000 agriculture workers is also covered in the programme.

    “It also covers the N5,000 monthly conditional cash transfer to the poor and vulnerable,’’ he said.

    Mohammed dismissed some media reports that some states claimed they were not ready for the A-Meal-A-Day programme due to funding challenges.

    He emphasised that the federal government was solely responsible for the funding of the programme.

    According to him, the pilot scheme of the programme has started and it will cover 5.5 million pupils when fully on stream.

    The minister also advised Muslims to uphold the lessons of Ramadan by shunning vices and making sacrifices for others and the nation.

    In his lecture, Prof. Ahmid Sanni, Chief Imam, Lagos State University, said that the virtue of sacrifice was beyond prayers and fasting.

    According to him, it also requires the show of love and care to the less privileged in the society.

  • Forex: minister takes airlines’ case to CBN

    Forex: minister takes airlines’ case to CBN

    • We’ll assist, says Emefiele  

    the Minister of State, Aviation, Hadi Sirika  led a delegation of indigenous airlines’ operators to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), early in the week to explore ways of  resolving the problem of meeting their foreign exchange requirement.

    His intervention is a fallout of request by the umbrella body of indigenous carriers-Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON).

    According to AON, the difficulty in accessing forex is threatening their operations, and they expressed that non resolution of the situation could lead to the collapse of the air transport sector.

    AON’s Chairman, Captain Nogie Meggison, said the airlines were struggling to keep their operations afloat on account of difficulty in accessing foreign exchange to acquire aircraft spares to carry out maintenance checks, pay foreign crew salaries and allowances; pay for aircraft insurance, and well as carry out simulator training for flight crews.

    Meggison said the inability to access forex constituted the greatest of the many challenges operators are facing.

    Sirika said it is important for the CBN to assist as the challenges facing indigenous carriers could not be ignored because of the role airlines play as the pivot for economic development.

    The CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele promised to assist domestic carriers by putting them on the priority list to access forex.

    Sirika said: “It is common sense that you buy your airplane in hard currency, you maintain the airplane in hard currency, you buy the spares in hard currency, and even the fuel at some point is purchased in hard currency; so you must be able to access hard currency to operate as an airline.

    “ The CBN governor has  pledged to make available a window for domestic carriers to access foreign exchange,  to include aviation on the priority list in an effort to support domestic airlines their  safety and  operations.”

    On the problem of aviation fuel, the Minister said he had met with the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources who assured  that they would try to get Port Harcourt refinery on-stream before the end of the year to begin refining of  Jet A1 otherwise known as aviation fuel.

    He assured that with some investment, the Kaduna Refinery will be back on-stream to make aviation fuel available.

    ”We are committed to it, we will begin to produce it and if there is anything we can do to bring down the price we will do so. The whole essence of refining it locally is not only to make it available, but it will also make it cheaper. Because then the element of importation is removed,” Sirika said.

    Concerning  direct distribution of Jet A1 to the airports, the Minister said government is working on alternate plans to ensure that aviation fuel supply is factored into the concession arrangement.

    ”we can cause the concessionaire to ensure that the infrastructure is developed around those airports especially that of Lagos, Port Harcourt, Abuja and Kano “ , he said.

    With regard to taxes on aircraft and spare parts, the Minister observed that while the Ministry of Finance holds the position that  there should be no duty on aircraft and spare parts, the Nigeria Customs thinks that the waiver is only on aircraft itself and not on the spares.

  • SOS to FCT minister on Ahmadu Bello Way

    SIR: Any visitor to the Federal Capital will observe one significant feature – the long stretch of the major roads. Each of the roads stretches several kilometres. Apart from aesthetic beauty of the roads and its overhead bridges, it makes for easy traffic flow. The roads in mind include Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway, Ahmadu Bello Way, Muhammadu Buhari Way, Ibrahim Babangida Way, Obafemi Awolowo Way, etc.

    Significantly, all the roads mentioned above have been completed and have long been put into use, except Ahmadu Bello Way. This road is named after one of the country’s founding fathers Sir Ahmadu Bello, first and only Premier of Northern Region of Nigeria. The long stretch of road runs through Gwarinpa district, Central Business District, Mabushi to Apo and terminates at Gudu market. Of this long sketch of road, one of the longest in Abuja, a stretch of 2.5 kilometres, from the junction of Oladipo Diya road in Apo District by Gudu Market to Lokogoma junction / Lokogoma Express has remained un-tarred. This has constituted a major problem. The traffic gridlock on this un-tarred stretch, especially in the evenings when commuters return home from work or their various businesses is unimaginable. Ironically there is a Fire Service station on this un-tarred stretch; if there is any fire incident in the environment, how will the Fire Service get easy access to the scene?

    The attention of the new Minister of FCT is called to this situation, with a view to his taking urgent steps to complete the tarring of the remaining portion of the road. Having tarred over 97% of the long stretch of road, the remaining less than three percent should not constitute a problem that will remain difficult to address. The memory of the late sage, Sir, Ahmadu Bello should not be one that has an uncompleted tarred road. He deserves more honour than that. From reports, the new minister is an action man and should do the needful on this short but very important road in the FCT.

    If funds for the tarring of the little remaining portion of the road are not provided in the 2016 Appropriation Act, the Honourable Minister should draw from the ministry’s emergency fund to work on this road. Sir Ahmadu Bello Expressway Abuja should be completed to give honour to whom it is due

     

    • Sam Ekpe,

    Abuja.

  • Minister locked out, as health workers protest

    Minister locked out, as health workers protest

    Activities at the Federal Ministry of Health headquarters was disrupted yesterday as workers in the ministry protested.

    Minister of Health Prof. Adewole Isaac was denied access into the premises while the protest lasted.

    Not even the intervention of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita, was able to calm the nerves of  protesting workers who were calling for the redeployment of the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Amina Shamaki, over allegation of incompetence and high-handedness.

    Yesterday’s protest was the second against Dr. Shamaki who had to go into  hiding when the security around her could not stop the rampaging workers.

    The protest was led by Hassan Habba, who went though floors of the ministry with a  bell calling out workers.

  • Why Govt can’t sanction DISCOs for poor power supply, by minister

    Why Govt can’t sanction DISCOs for poor power supply, by minister

    Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, yesterday said that the Federal Government has no moral right to sanction Power Distribution Companies (DISCOS) over poor electricity supply in the country.

    The minister also defended the electricity tariff hike which he said is not arbitrary having been done following the due process.

    Fashola spoke at a public hearing on electricity tariff hike organised by the Senate joint Committee on Power, Labour, Employment and Productivity, in Abuja

    He wondered how DISCOs could be sanctioned when they were not given the tools to work with.

    He said: “The union leaders seem to pay more allegiance to their unions rather than their employers. We should understand that without the employment there will be no unions.

    “The tariff was not an arbitrary thing. Is three years enough? I don’t know but I have been here (government) for one year. If we cancel privatisation, what do we do?

    “You don’t sanction the DISCOs if you don’t give them the tool to work. The government and the people are owing these DISCOs; what moral right do we have to sanction the discos if we don’t keep our own side of the agreement? Is the transition period of 2013 to 2016 a long time to wait?

    On the impact and the difference the hike in tariff has brought to the power sector the minister said: “Yes services have not improved but confidence has improved in the sector.”

    Fashola said the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) is the body empowered by law to fix tariff and not the ministry.

    He noted that because the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) had been liquidated, the Federal Government has become a minority shareholder which meant that things must be done on commercial basis.

    The minister said the DISCOs made it clear that if the government failed to give the cost effective tariff, government would bear the burden.

    Government, he said, was not insensitive to Nigerians’ feelings, but was looking for the best way to solve the problem of over 60 years.

    Acting Chairman of NERC Anthony Akah, noted that if the new tariff was not introduced, the sector would have collapsed.

    The NERC boss said the new tariff became necessary in order to activate performance agreement between the DISCOs and the Federal Government.

    He was emphatic that the new electricity tariff cannot be reversed because there is a process.

    With the new tariff, he said the can now hold the DISCOs accountable to the performance agreement.

    Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) representative at the hearing, Comrade Joe Ajaero, noted that at no time was NLC consulted.

    Ajaero said the claim that the Act did not specify who to consult was begging the question because stakeholders in the sector are known.

    The labour leader who said the DISCOs did not bring any funds into the country but took loans from Nigerian banks insisted that what the government is operating in the power sector is a World Bank document.

    The representative of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Chris Okonkwo, said the argument of government is not new.

    Okonkwo asked: “If the DISCOs said they were not allowed to do due diligence on the sector before they took over, why did they take the risk?”

    He noted that the complaint of the discos would be endless if they lacked the competence and capacity to perform.

    “How can DISCOs perform when they came with the mindset that all workers of PHCN are thieves and must be sacked,” he asked.

    Senators doubted the capacity of the DISCOs to give Nigerians the needed electricity.

    Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi noted that what Nigerians wanted is electricity supply adding that if there is electricity, Nigerians will be happy to pay.

    Senator Mustapha Bukka said efforts should be made to ensure that the people awarded the DISCOs are competent.

    Senator Stella Oduah said the essence of bringing in the private sector to improve power supply had not yielded the desired result.

     

  • Minister woos children on clean environment campaign

    Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Mallam Muhammed Bello has urged children in the FCT to encourage their parents to maintain a clean environment.

    Bello who spoke with the Students Parliament in the FCT, urged them to enact laws to encourage children to ensure that their parents clean their environments.

    The minister made the plea in Abuja when he met with the 7th Assembly of the FCT Students Parliament led by its Speaker, Master Oral Nwaka.

    Deputy Director / Chief Press Secretary to the Minister, Muhammed Sule stated this in a press statement.

    He said, “FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has urged the Students’ Parliament in the Federal Capital Territory to enact laws to encourage all the children in the Territory to ensure that their parents keep the environment clean.

    “The Minister said that the law to be enacted should ensure that every morning, everybody cleans his house and to also ensure that all the refuse is dumped in designated areas or dustbins.

    “We need laws from your parliament that will encourage all the children in the FCT to ensure that their parents keep the surroundings clean; to ensure that every morning, everybody cleans his house; to ensure that all the refuse is dumped in designated areas and also to encourage everybody to use dustbins.”

    According to him, “Since I came in as the Minister, one of my greatest challenges is how dirty the environment is, especially in the Area Councils. If you are able to do that during your tenure in office, you would have done a great service to us”.

    “Malam Bello promised to provide the Students’ Parliament with a bus and driver to be conveying the Parliamentarians to all official functions.

    “In addition to that, the Permanent Secretary told me that by the grace of God, he will buy you one bus and I’m sure the Social Development Secretariat will make sure that it employs a very good driver who will take care of that bus for you and also make sure that the bus is fueled at any time, so that you don’t have to ask for any bus anywhere again” he stressed.

    “Speaking earlier, the Speaker of 7th FCT Student’s Parliament, Master Oral Nwaka said the they are representatives of millions of children in FCT and promised to represent their interests very well to ensure that the children live to be good leaders of tomorrow.

    According to him, “we had our sitting this morning on the theme of this year’s Children’s Day, which is “Protecting the Rights of the Child and Child Marriage.”

    Master Nwaka added, “We want to make a passionate plea to the Hon. Minister, our dear Daddy to support the parliament as we aim at being a role model to other such parliaments across the country. We start by requesting a bus that can be conveying us to places we carry out our advocacies.”