The Nation Newspaper

Tag: minister

Minister angry over delay at ports

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) management and some top Customs officials have incurred the ire of the Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar, over last Thursday’s long queue at the Apapa port.

They have been asked to explain what caused the queue.

The Minister is also seeking to know why the port looks like a “disorganised market” despite President Goodluck Jonathan’s efforts to make it user-friendly.

For almost an hour last week, the minister and his team walked from the gate to APM Terminals office to find out the cause of the delay in the movement of trucks.

He was accompanied by the Minister of State for Works, Alhaji Pateh Alli; the Senior Special Adviser to the President on Project Monitoring and Evaluation, Prof. Sylvester Monye; the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr Nebolisa Emordi; NPA Managing Director, Mallam Habib Abdullahi and some Customs officials.

Dissatisfied with the reasons given by NPA and Customs official, the minister released all trucks cleared by Customs, including the ones chained by NPA officials.

Umar said he was not happy with what he saw.

President Jonathan, the Minister said, reduced the number of government agencies at the ports to stem congestion, free the port access road, ease cargo clearance, facilitate trade, make the port attractive for business and boost revenue generation.

Facing an official, he said: “Tell me why the port is disorganised? Why are these vehicles stationed on the main access road to the port? Who chained this vehicle down here to obstruct traffic? This is unacceptable to us. It is unacceptable to this government. This is a very bad situation and we must be very serious in addressing the problem.

”It is an embarrassment for me to come to the port and I am not happy. I made some public utterances out of frustration. I cannot understand why the port will continue to operate as if it is a disorganised market. Mr President said we must sanitise the port and we must sanitise it. The Customs is involved, the NPA is involved, the clearing agents are involved, the transporters are involved, the shipping line, everybody needs to cooperate. I am not here to apportion blames but from what I have seen, I am not happy.

Attempts by an NPA official to explain that they were not responsible for the state of the port was rebuffed by the minister.

The Minster said: “Everything in the port is under NPA. What is written on the gate? Is it not NPA? You cannot be shifting responsibility for God’s sake. You keep on saying there is no solution to this problem. That is unacceptable to this government.

“We must be pro-active. The queue is just there, no movement, nothing. The drivers are not inside the trucks and nobody seems to know what is happening.

“NPA, you own the port. You must not allow this. Anybody who has not finished its documentation must not be allowed to load, not to talk of blocking the access road.”

Monye told The Nation that the port was becoming “a national embarrassment.” He said NPA seemed to have lost control of the port.

“NPA needs to have a stronger administrative control because the clearing agents have taken over the port from what we have seen.”

January 22, 2013
Minister pledges ‘judicious utilization’ of subsidy fund

The Minister of State for Health, Dr. Mohammed Pate, said the ministry will ensure judicious use of the N16 billion naira subsidy fund meant for the health sector.

Pate said this when the Administrator of the USAID, Dr. Rajiv Shah, paid him a courtesy visit.

The USAID administrator was in the ministry as part of effort to partner in the “save one million lives” initiatives.

Pate said although the fund had not been utilised in 2012, it would be effectively used in the deployment of frontline health personnel and equipping of rural health facilities, among others.

“ We have had the midwives service scheme, then late last year, village health workers were screened; additional midwives and community health workers have been screened and they are in the process of deploying them.

“And a condition of cash transfer mechanism was piloted in Abuja and is now being expanded to nine states; this agency is actually driving the implementation of that.

“And that is using the subsidy investment programme fund that government committed about N16 billion. This fund was not spent in 2012.

“But we hope that they will do a lot better job in terms of using the resources to deploy frontline health workers, equipped rural facilities but also do the conditional cash transfer on a demand side, “the News Agency of Nigeria quoted the minister as saying at the forum.

Pate said the maternal and child health was a key agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan, saying that the “save one million lives” initiative was a strategy to address the issues.

He, however, noted that the most strategic aspects of the initiative include the prevention agenda, clinical governance and unlocking the private market potential agenda.

The minister also said the Ministry of Finance was committed to ensuring that adequate vaccination, especially the polio immunization, was carried out in the country.

January 18, 2013
Minister makes case for agric financing

Public equity funds need to support funding of the agric sector, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Adesina Akinwunmi has said.

Speaking at a workshop on Financing Nigeria’s Agricultural Revolution organised in Lagos, he said that such funding is critical in achieving government’s agenda for the sector.

He said the World Bank has invested $500 million; African Development Bank – $250 million while Bill Gates Foundation is working with the Federal Government on advisory role to strengthen agricultural financing in the country.

The Minister said that agricultural lending is promising and has moved from one per cent to over three per cent in the last one year, adding that there are increasing demand and opportunities for agriculture funding for banks.

He said there is need to unlock the potential in the agricultural sector, adding that banks should see agricultural financing as a serious business that can impact positively on their balance sheets.

He said public equity funds also need to increase their stakes in agricultural financing.

January 16, 2013
Why govt is acquiring 30 planes, by Minister

•Aircraft acquistion won’t solve domestic carriers’problem’

THE Federal Government has spoken on why it is buying 30 planes to aid domestic carriers.

Minister of Aviation Princess Stella Oduah said the government’s gesture was informed by the need to revitalise ailing airlines

Her media aide Joe Obi said the modality for buying the planes and the mode of distribution were being worked out.

The government he, said, would contact the Airlines’ Operators of Nigeria (AON) to determine the needs of each operator.

Denying reports that the planes would be acquired with a $500million loan from China, Obi said: “The fact of the matter is that the said amount was the loan secured from China for financing the remodelling of airports in the country.”

two experts have suggested ways of utilising the aviation intervention fund.

Managing Director Capital Airlines, Captain Amos Akpan and the Assistant General Manager, AON Mohammed Tukur, said a careful application of the funds would solve many problems.

According to him, the buying of aircraft by the government for domestic operators, may not yield the desired result, if operational demands of the affected carrier are not considered.

He suggested the financing of aircraft acquisition by financial institutions, which will be guaranteed by the government.

There is, he said, stunted development in the sector because the players and the regulator are not using the best model.

Akpan said before the government facilitates the purchase of aircraft for any airline, some issues must be clarified.

These are analysis of the aircraft, its proposed route and the operator, or the funds deployed could be misapplied, he said.

He said: “The N300 billion intervention fund that the government made available through the Bank of Industry was wrongly applied because there was no need to give individuals or institutions funds that its use could not be monitored.

“The intervention procedure of buying aircraft for domestic airlines, as we heard the government is proposing is not clear. I perceive this is another wrong application of good intentions. Aircraft acquisition is a product of fleet expansion, upgrade, or additions based on specific airlines need at a stage. What type of aircraft is required? For what route? And for which operator?

“If an operational module has been identified; research of availability of passengers and cargo identified. The frequency and capacity required must be determined. These, then, determine the size and type of aircraft. The safety envelope of categories of airports and the facilities they offer must be critical input too. We should not jump into lopsided amelioration again.”

He explained that the option of the government acquiring aircraft for private operators is no longer fashionable.

Akpan said: “No person or institution should be given money to buy an aircraft. When the operator identifies the aircraft that soothes its operations, the operator should get NCAA to inspect and approve it; the government should pay through its bank and retain the title of ownership while the airline is only the operator.

“The insurance must be paid by the title owner and he retains the right of first loss payee. Furthermore, the scheduled maintenance checks must be financed or funded by the owner when the maintenance by calendar or by hours is due.”

He said payments for salaries, training, spare parts, and line maintenance must be on an open requisition programme to avoid default as these are budget items. Fuel credit scheme must be such that payment is automated between the banks and the fuel company on presentation of audited vouchers.

‘’Monthly payment on the aircraft from the sales must be automated to avoid default on lease rentals.

“All of these will ensure there is no hiding to create excess capacity in one route because of high traffic while under developing other routes,” he said.

Tukur called on the government to carry airline operators along in the proposal to buy aircraft for domestic airlines.

Tukur said for such plan to sail through, there was the need to let the operators know the type of aircraft that would be deployed and the modalities for accessing.

“We actually requested for bailout but the Ministry is packaging another one but I am afraid, it is not being handled well”, he said.

January 15, 2013
NSCDC has ability to carry arms – Minister

Government has indicated another move to deepen the operation of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC) with the increase in its staff strength and management of arms.

Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro, disclosed this yesterday in Abuja, describing the move as based on increasing demand by Nigerians and recognition of the services of the officers in averting security challenge in different parts of the country.

Moro declared that maintaining internal security will greatly be met by the Corp considering its style of operation.

He expressed optimism that arming a section of the Corp to combat the non-civil disturbances as a full complement of the arm squad will increase peace maintenance in the nation.

According to him: “The area of their service continues to increase everyday as people see their bravery where others fail.

“We will increase their human capacity. Nigerians expect more proactive steps in addressing the internal security challenge.’’

Moro went on: “There is no doubt that the account of armed bandit insurgence has had negative impact on the lives and economy of our country, both Nigerians and foreigners desire nothing less than a safe haven to live.

“The old method of response to security is no longer applicable in the case of security challenge trend we have witnessed in Nigeria in the recent years.

“I want to assure you that this year, effort will be concentrated on capacity building and facilities for regular institutional training and re-training.”

January 13, 2013
MINISTER TO STORM FARO FOR EAGLES

THE MINISTER for Sports, Bolaji Abdullahi has promised to be in Faro, Portugal, when the Eagles open camp for the Nations Cup, to offer his support to the team ahead of the championship. The Minister, who visited the players in camp on Saturday, also declared that he has absolute confidence in the ability of the team to represent Nigeria creditably at the tournament.

NFF President, Maigari, who accompanied the Minister spoke in the same vein, but was more emphatic as he declared that he has total confidence that all things being equal, the Super Eagles will emerge champions when hostilities cease at South Africa 2013.

Head Coach Stephen Keshi thanked the Minister for the visit and said he would be welcomed in Faro, Portugal, promising that the team will not let the nation down during the Nations Cup. Home Eagles Skipper, Chigozie Agbim, said the Minister’s visit was a morale booster, while winger Ejike Uzoenyi said such visit will help the team prepare hard for the Nations Cup championship.

December 23, 2012
SSANU shuns meeting with minister

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) yesterday turned down the invitation the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, extended to it because of the industrial crisis and the nationwide strike in the federal and state universities.

SSANU, Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) had resolved to begin a seven-day nationwide strike following the failed meeting with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim.

Wogu had invited SSANU, University of Abuja, Gwagwalada Headquarters via a letter to an emergency meeting with the minister yesterday.

However, neither the SSANU President, Comrade Samson Ugwoke, nor his representative was in attendance.

Our correspondent learnt that the letter got to Ugwoke’s office after he had left.

A source, however, told The Nation that he rejected the invitation because it was not extended to the other union leaders in the struggle.

It was also learnt that Ugwoke queried the intention of the minister to have invited him alone, leaving the other union leaders.

He reportedly said he would not be a party to a situation where government would want to use divide and rule to break the rank of the university workers.

December 11, 2012
Works Minister says N500b needed annually to fix roads

The Minister of Works, Mr. Mike Onolomemen, said in Abuja yesterday that about N500 billion was required annually over the next four years to fix the country’s roads.

He spoke at a public hearing on the measures to address the near collapse of roads across the country, and a bill to provide for the maintenance of public infrastructure.

The hearing was organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Works.

The bill seeks to impose a penalty on the heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies in case of failure to ensure regular maintenance of public infrastructure.

The minister said the annual budgetary allocations to road projects was inadequate.

According to him, the delay in the release of fund for road projects had also led to delays, and in some cases complete abandonment of road projects across the country.

He noted that of the N130 billion budgeted for highway projects in 2011, only N88.7 billion was released, while only N110 billion was released from the N143 billion budgeted in 2012.

Onolomemen said the average budget of N100 billion for road development was grossly inadequate for the nation’s 35, 000 kilometre of federal road network.

The minister, therefore, suggested for alternative funding for the maintenance of the country’s highways.

The minister said a bill for the establishment of Road Fund and Federal Roads Authority would soon be presented to the National Assembly.

“There has to be a special fund to take care of the deplorable roads in Nigeria,’’ he said, adding that with appropriate funding, all roads listed by the Federal Government would be completed in 2015.

Onolomemen said there was need to charge vehicles conveying petroleum products and steel for using the roads.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, also stressed the need for a legal framework to stop the abuse of roads in the country.

Tambuwal, who was represented by a lawmaker, Samson Osagie (ACN-Edo), the Minority Whip, urged traffic officials to discharge their responsibilities properly to minimise road accidents.

According to him, a study has shown that the country loses N80 billion annually to road accidents.

Ogbuefi Ozomgabchi (PDP-Enugu), the Chairman of the committee, called for appropriate legal and institutional framework for road infrastructure.

He noted that fixing the country’s bad road network would require new funding options through the private sector.

According to him, between 1999 and 2012, the National Assembly appropriated N1 trillion to the road sector, but despite the allocation, only 35 per cent of the federal road network was paved.

The situation, he noted, had led to 1,936 accidents between January and December this year based on figures released by the Federal Road Safety Commission.

December 11, 2012
N500b needed annually to fix roads – Minister

The Minister of Works, Mr. Mike Onolomemen, said in Abuja on Monday that about N500 billion was required annually over the next four years to fix the country’s deplorable roads.

Onolomemen said this at a public hearing on measures to address the near collapse of roads across the country, and a bill to provide for the maintenance of public infrastructure.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the hearing was organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Works.

The bill seeks to impose a penalty on the heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies in case of failure to ensure regular maintenance of public infrastructure.

The minister said the annual budgetary allocations to road projects were inadequate.

According to him, the delay in the release of fund for road projects had also led to delays and in some cases complete abandonment of road projects across the country.

He noted that out of the N130 billion budgeted for highway projects in 2011, only N88.7 billion was released, while only N110 billion was released from the N143 billion budgeted in 2012.

Onolomemen said tthe average budget of N100 billion for road development was grossly inadequate for the nations’s 35, 000 kilometre of federal road network.

The minister, therefore, suggested for alternative funding for the maintenance of the country’s highways.

The minister said that a bill for the establishment of Road Fund and Federal Roads Authority would soon be presented to the National Assembly.

“There has to be a special fund to take care of the deplorable roads in Nigeria,’’ he said, adding that with appropriate funding, all roads listed by the Federal Government would be completed in 2015.

Onolomemen said that there was need to charge vehicles conveying petroleum products and steel for using the roads.

December 10, 2012
Why fuel scarcity persists – Minister

The Federal Government has again explained the reason for the stringent measures put in place in the management of subsidy regime.

The Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, said the stringent measures are meant to check the activities of fraudsters in the sector and to recover fraudulent oil subsidy claims.

Besides, she also attributed the current fuel scarcity in the country to some slight issues with the oil union, but assured that the issue is being tackled and normalcy will soon return to the filling stations.

Madueke, who was responding to questions from reporters on the current fuel supply situation in the country, however said government was not folding its arm as it has been doing a lot to arrest the situation include pushing oil out from the nation’s strategic reserve.

While also appealing for the support and cooperation of Nigerians, the minister said the current suffering is some of the sacrifices the people have to make to enthrone transparency and accountability in the sector.

She said the whole issue will soon pass away as government is doing everything possible to arrest the situation.

The country in the last few months had been grappling with shortage of fuel supply and this has led to long queues in most filling stations across the major cities of the country.

The Minister of Finance Dr. Okonjo-Iweala had disclosed that the Presidential committee on subsidy claims headed by the Group Managing Director of Access Bank Plc Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede has submitted its report and uncovered NN232.2 billion claims that cannot be substantiated.

It was also in the attempt to clean the sector that Federal Government announced recently that it was withholding N29 billion claims by some oil marketers as subsidy payment pending the outcome of the investigation by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission on the issue.

December 5, 2012