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Tag: missing

  • 244 Nigerians missing as Hajj death toll hits 64

    244 Nigerians missing as Hajj death toll hits 64

    The grim reality of the Mina, Saudi Arabia stampede was further highlighted yesterday with the news that Nigeria’s death toll had hit 64.

    The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) said in Makkah that 10 more bodies were identified, raising the toll from 54 to 64.

    The commission’s Public Affairs Director, Uba Mana, said 244 pilgrims were missing.

    The figure of the injured also jumped to 71 from 61 previously announced.

    President Muhammadu Buhari ordered NAHCON to account for every Nigerian in Saudi for Hajj.

    Mana said of the 64 dead pilgrims, 46 were transported to Saudi Arabia by state pilgrims’ welfare agencies and 18 by private tour operators.

    Mana also said 12 of the 71 injured pilgrims were transported to Saudi Arabia by tour operators and 59 by state pilgrims’ welfare agencies.

    He said the deceased were from Adamawa,Bauchi, Borno, Ekiti, Jigawa, FCT, Cross River, Gombe, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kaduna, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Plateau, Rivers Sokoto, Yobe, Taraba, and Zamfara.

    Last Thursday’s stampede occurred on the way to the Jamrat complex (stoning site) in Mina.

    The Saudi authorities have declared that no fewer than 749 pilgrims died; 805 others were injured.

    Mana said: “We cannot declare missing Nigerians dead because you cannot confirm someone dead without the corpse.

    “And because during the stampede, helicopters came around picking victims and taking them to hospitals, we have decided to extend our search to all hospitals in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

    “Kaduna all along said they had no missing pilgrims. But by yesterday, they called and said they cannot find six of their pilgrims.

    “So the figure keeps changing; it may increase or decrease. Some of the injured have been treated and discharged.”

    But a former Governor of Nasarawa State and Amirul Hajj (head of delegation) of the state, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, yesterday denied that some pilgrims from the state died in the  stampede in Mina.

    Abdullahi, who spoke with reporters in Makkah, said contrary to reports, the state recorded two deaths from natural causes.

    He said: “We mourn the deaths and injuries of our brothers and sisters in the stampede and commiserate with their families, Nigerians and the Muslim world. We did not lose any pilgrims in the unfortunate incident, so the reports to that effect is misleading and should be ignored.

    “We actually lost two pilgrims, one died in his sleep two weeks before the stampede and the other was due to ailment on which Nigerian and Saudi medical personnel tried their best on the pilgrim but he died. There were no other deaths.”

    The Ondo State Government said it lost three persons.

    A statement by Commissioner for Information Kayode Akinmade also said the whereabouts of seven others remained  unknown.

    But the government did not disclose names of the victims.

    The statement said: “Of the 312 members of the state’s contingent to the 2015 hajj, three have been confirmed dead in the unfortunate accident in Saudi Arabia while seven are still missing. We note that many other Nigerians across the country also lost their lives in the sad occurrence.

    “Government is saddened by these unfortunate losses. We can only send words of condolence to families of the dead across the country.

    “While we pray for the safety of those still missing, we commiserate with the Muslim Ummah in Ondo State and Nigeria at large. We pray that the deceased find rest with their maker.”

    Bauchi State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board also declared that five pilgrims from the state were missing.

    Executive Secretary Aliyu Suleman said: “Officials of the Board have visited hospitals in Mina and Mecca in search of the missing pilgrims.

    “The officials have visited hospital mortuaries and hospital beds, but so far, there is no news of the five,” Suleiman said.

    He added: “So far, only one pilgrim from Darazo Local Government, Alhaji Sule Ibrahim, has been confirmed dead.”

    Apart from those who died in the stampede, 19 other Nigerians died of illnesses.

    The head of the Medical Data Unit, Dr Jibrin Suleman, said the centre confirmed the figure.

    The centre has five clinics, two in Madinah and three in Mecca to cater for Nigerian pilgrims.

    Briefing the leader, Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Hajj, Sen. Ali Wakili, during a visit to the centre in Mecca, Suleman said most of the dead are aged between 65 years and above.

    He said most of the deceased had died of heart diseases, hypertension, diabetes and other related ailments.

    Suleman said the centre, which was limited to the provision of basic treatment only, recorded two miscarriages and referred 50 cases to hospitals within the period.

    He said more than 10,000 pilgrims visited the centre for cold, malaria, body pains and other simple and non-complicated cases.

    Also briefing the committee, the Head, Medical Team of the centre, Dr Muhammad Bello Abdulkadir, said the clinics had drugs.

    “We brought some of the drugs from Nigeria, while others were procured in Saudi Arabia,’’ he stressed.

    Abdulkadir also said that NAHCON recruited 232 medical staff, including doctors, nurses and others, to man the clinics.

    He, however, complained that the centre had no ambulance to move to the pilgrims’ hostels during emergencies.

    Wakili said members of the ad hoc committee were going round NAHCON facilities in Saudi Arabia to record some of their problems and present them to the Senate for redressing.

    He praised members of the medical team for their dedication and hard work and urged them to use the limited facilities for the benefit of the pilgrim.

     

  • Five dead, others missing in Lagos boat mishap

    Five dead, others missing in Lagos boat mishap

    Five persons were yesterday confirmed dead with five others missing after a boat accident along Lagos-Ikorodu waterways.

    The mishap which occurred around Bayeku- Igbogbo in Ikorodu at about noon was said to have been caused by a steering problem, which the paddler could not control. The boat was said to be coming from Oke Ira Nla jetty at Ajah.

    Aside the bad condition of the boat, the crew were said to be inexperienced and were over speeding.

    It was gathered that the boat had 20 passengers and two crew members, out of which 17 persons were rescued by local fishermen at Igbogbo jetty and rushed to different hospitals.

    The Nation further learnt that the enclosed nature of the boat exacerbated the passengers’ survival chances.

    Of the 17 rescued from the water, it was gathered that one died at Mica Hospital and four others passed on at Ikorodu General Hospital.

    Confirming the development, the General Manager, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Michael Akindele, said the boat captain has been arrested and was being questioned by Marine Policemen from Ikoyi.

    He said they got the call at about 1:29pm, more than an hour after the mishap.

    Akindele confirmed there were 20 passengers and two crew members on the boat, acknowledging that 17 persons have been found, with five confirmed dead.

    “Our investigation revealed that 20 passengers were on board and two crew members (the captain and his assistant) before the mishap.

    “15 passengers and two crew members were rescued by local fishermen around Bayeku jetty, Igbogbo.

    “Four of the people rescued were taken to a hospital at Bayeku. Three of them are presently responding to treatment while one has been confirmed dead.

    “Seven others among the rescued passengers were taken to Ikorodu General Hospital where four were confirmed dead, two were treated and discharged and one in critical condition.

    “Those who have been confirmed dead include four adult males and a female. In all, 17 persons were recovered from the water.”

     

  • Missing baby: Police may declare herbalist wanted

    The police in Ogun State said yesterday they were making arrangement to obtain court’s permit to declare a herbalist, Chief Olasile Ifayemi, wanted in connection with a missing 18-month-old boy, Hezekiah Opeyemi Ogundele.

    Little Ogundele went missing 11 days ago at a naming ceremony at Inuosegba community, off Akorede Estate in Abeokuta, the state capital, and has not been found.

    They added that the fleeing herbalist, who owned the bungalow, where severed human wrist, school pupils’ bags, uniforms and ladies’ pants were discovered in the area, was yet to be located for arrest.

    Police spokesman Olumuyiwa Adejobi told The Nation that the command would declare the herbalist wanted when the permit is procured.

    Adejobi, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, added that detectives were interfacing with the parents of the missing baby for more information and for his photographs to assist the public to recognise him, if found.

    The boy disappeared on July 26 while playing at the venue of a naming ceremony of Mr. Olusola Osunleke’s daughter.

    Osunleke’s wife is said to be the niece of Hezekiah’s mother.

    When Hezekiah’s mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Ogundele, finished dressing the new born baby in readiness for christening, she searched for her son, where he was playing earlier and couldn’t find him.

  • Sharks declare Olaoke, Fabiyi missing

    Sharks declare Olaoke, Fabiyi missing

    The Management of Sharks FC have declared two of its players missing from the club. They are Yomi Olaoke and Tayo Fabiyi.

    The General Manager of the team, Okey Kpaluku, who made this known in a statement made available to SportingLife by the club’s media officer, Peter Abaje, said  both players were last seen in camp after week 11 and 12 encounters in the league respectively.

    Kpaluku said the disappearance of both players, has further depleted the struggling side and wondered why the players will leave the club without informing the  officials despite the challenges facing the team.

    “How can players just disappear from camp without taking permission from the Management or Technical Crew.”

    “We cannot give account of the whereabout of these two players and just imagine the negative impact in the team, the season has been pretty rough for us,” Kpaluku said.

    He added that the players should know they have a contract with the club and as such have no choice but to return to camp.

  • Ondo Regent still missing

    THe Regent of Akungba-Akoko in Akoko South West Local Government Area of Ondo State, Princess Oluwatoyin Omosowon, has not been found, eight days after she was abducted.

    The 45-year-old regent and her aides were waylaid on Wednesday on the Owo/Oba-Akoko/Akungba-Akoko Road on her way from Akure, where she attended a function at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA).

    The community had since the abduction began fasting and prayer.

    Security personnel have been deployed on the order of the Commissioner of Police, Isaac Eke.

    Commercial and social activities are gradually picking up in the community. Shops and other public places which were closed in honour of the abducted regent have been re-opened.

    A community leader, Chief Awesu Seriki, said the community was yet to receive any information on the whereabouts of the regent.

    He said the community will continue to pray for her release.

    Seriki noted that the incident was strange to the community and called on security agents to ensure her release.

  • Facts, figures on alleged $20b missing oil fund, by PwC

    Facts, figures on alleged $20b missing oil fund, by PwC

    Is $20 billion oil cash missing? No, says accounting giant PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC), in its forensic audit report on the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). It said $1.48 billion is missing, and directed NNPC to refund the cash to the Federation Account. It also also recommended how NNPC can be efficiently run to forestall a recurrence. EMEKA UGWUANYI reports.

    After about a year–and–a-half, the allegation of stolen $20 billion oil fund in which the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) was fingered as the culprit has been laid to rest, following the release of the report of the PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC) last month.

    But there is need for the Federal Government to implement some of the auditors’recommendations to enhance the corporation’s efficiency.

    The missing oil money saga started on September 25, 2013, when the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, now Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, wrote President Goodluck Jonathan, alleging that between January 2012 and July 2013, NNPC lifted 594,024,107 barrels of crude oil worth $65,332,350,514.57.

    According to him, of this amount, NNPC paid only $15,528,410,098.77, representing 24 per cent of the value. This indicated that the NNPC was yet to account for, and pay to the Federation Account, over $49.8 billion or 76 per cent of oil lifted in the period.

    On September 27, 2013, the President passed the letter to the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, to explain the allegations against the NNPC. The minister forwarded the letter to the former NNPC Group Managing Director (GMD), Andrew Yakubu, on September 30.

    On October 4, 2013, the minister forwarded the explanations of the GMD to the President. Nothing was heard on the matter for over a month.

    The NNPC presumed the Presidency and CBN were satisfied with the explanations until it was learnt that on December 8, 2013, the contents of the CBN’s letter were leaked to the media, including the online publications. That is how one of the most controversial issues of the nation started. In view of the weighty allegations, the Senate Plenary directed its Committee on Finance to investigate the alleged unremitted $49.8 billion.

    The NNPC also explained to the public what happened. The Corporation stated that the CBN governor did not understand the workings of the oil industry and how revenues from oil lifting were remitted to the Federation Account, adding that the CBN actually understated the figures of the lifting by NNPC by 4.13 per cent. The Corporation explained what equity crude, royalty oil, tax oil, volume for third party financing and NPDC equity volume are, just to buttress its point.

    NPDC (Nigerian Petroleum Development Company) is an arm of NNPC. Yakubu stated that remittances of proceed from each of the five streams are made according to statutory and production arrangements, adding that all remittances due to the Federation Account had been made into that account.

    In the same period, the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, directed the Inter-Agency Committee comprising the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget Office of the Federation, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), NNPC, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) to reconcile the various figures given by the two agencies of the government, CBN and NNPC.

    The Inter-Agency Reconciliation Committee had at the end of its job, established that $39 billion of the alleged that $49.8billion had actually been remitted to the Federation Account and Mrs Okonjo-Iweala announced that the Committee was still working to reconcile the balance of $10.8 billion.

    But when the Finance Minister and the CBN Governor appeared before the Senator Ahmed Makarfi- led Senate Committee on Finance, Mrs Okonjo-Iweala held on to the $10.8 billion balance but the former CBN Governor held on to $12 billion as the  unremitted revenue to the Federation Account.

    The Group Executive Director of Finance and Accounts, NNPC, Mr. Bernard Otti, to prove accountability of the alleged missing funds, gave a breakdown of the $10.8 billion unremitted funds as follows: Unpaid subsidy $8.49 billion, Maintenance of National Strategic Reserve$0.37 billion, Product and crude oil losses $0.72 billion and cost of pipeline vandalism and repairs $1.22 billion.

    The CBN Governor later insisted that the amount unremitted to the Federation Account was $20 billion and gave a breakdown as follows: outstanding $12 billion, $6 billion gross revenue earned by NPDC, and $2 billion being payments to third parties. The CBN governor stated that NPDC, being a subsidiary of the NNPC, must remit all its revenue to the Federation Account in line with the constitutional requirement in Section 162 (10) c.

    He also questioned the legality of NNPC floating subsidiaries to do business and keep their funds, and also the propriety of the process of incorporating NPDC and the strategic Agreements it entered into.

    The issue of subsidising kerosene also came up before the Senate Committee as well as the resistance by Nigerians when the government wanted to stop fuel subsidy, including kerosene in 2012. The report of the Committee was debated on the floor of the Senate at plenary and it adopted most of the recommendations of the Committee. It, particularly, resolved, based on the recommendations of the Committee, that the allegation of the former CBN governor that some money was missing was false and that no money (be it $49.8billion, $20billion, $12billion, or $10.8billion) was missing.

    On kerosene subsidy, the Committee observed that the government policy on the issue was ambiguous, an issue which made the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Petroleum to toe different lines on the matter.

    To ensure transparency and clarity on the issue, PriceWaterhouse Coopers (PwC) was appointed to look into the allegation and come out with an independent findings. According to the findings, total revenue generated, including additional revenue upon investigation, was $69.34 billion while actual remittance was $50.81 billion. Unremitted revenues by NPDC were $5.11 billion while petrol (PMS) and kerosene (DPK) subsidy was $8.70 billion. The costs attributed to domestic crude was $2.65 billion and other costs not directly related to domestic crude oil operations was $2.81 billion) while salaries and benefits was $1.52 billion.

    Monthly operations was $0.48 billion and other third party payments, including training course fees, estacode, and consultancy fees, and other vendor payments was $0.81 billion while the NPDC signature bonus was $1.75 billion and its taxes and royalties $0.47 billion. Therefore, updated expected refunds by NNPC/NPDC to Federal Government is $1.48 billion, the report stated.

     

    The facts, figures

     

    The PwC submitted its report on February 2, this year. The auditing firm stated that its findings bear out some of the key points that were made on proper reconciliation and accounting for crude oil revenues and related subsidy claims, costs and expenses defrayed, and the matter of Oil Mining Leases (OMLs) transferred to the NPDC. It said that the gross revenue generated from Federal Government’s crude lifting for January 1, 2012 to July 31, 2013, was $67 billion reported by the Reconciliation Committee and the total cash remitted into the Federation Accounts in relation to these crude oil lifting, was $50.81 billion and not $47 billion as earlier reported by the Reconciliation Committee.

    “The balance of the generated revenue is accounted for as follows: Revenue reported by NPDC of $5.11 billion by its then Managing Director Mr. Victor Briggs during the Senate hearings will be accounted for through the financial statements of NPDC, and any dividend declared will flow into the federation account. Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK) subsidy was $8.7 billion, NNPC’s initial costs verified and accepted by the Senate of $2.65 billion, additional NNPC costs, following the audit $2.81 billion.

    “Added to the revenue is the unremitted NPDC signature bonus due for divested assets and taxes/royalties totalling $2.22 billion. Hence the net amount attributable to the Federation Account following the above summary is $1.48 billion,” the report stated.

    PwC further stated that NNPC  provided information and explanations on the difference between the gross revenues and aggregate remittances leading to a potential excess remittance by NNPC of $0.74 billion, without considering the expected remittances from NPDC. Other indirect costs of $2.81 billion which were not part of the submissions to the Senate Committee hearings have been defrayed to arrive at this position.

    “NNPC and NPDC should refund an aggregate amount of $1.48 billion; this is after taking account of the excess remittance described above and outstanding self-assessed taxes, royalties and signature bonuses for divested assets transferred to NPDC. The transfer to NPDC of remainder interests in Oil Mining Leases (OMLs) divested by Shell were validly made to NPDC on the basis of a legal opinion provided by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) to the Senate Committee on the matter.

    “By reference to the submission to the Senate Committee, NPDC reported crude oil revenues of $5.11 billion (net of taxes and royalties) in the period. Subject to defrayment of its costs, the AGF’s opinion holds that NPDC/NNPC are expected to, ultimately, effect a remittance to the Federation Accounts by way of net revenue (dividend) payment to NNPC. NPDC has not declared a dividend to NNPC on the basis of which remittances are to be made to the Federation Accounts in line with the AGF’s opinion. The matter of dividend (net revenue) from NPDC should be followed up for final resolution.”

    The auditing firm said that on the  subsidy on DPK (kerosene), the Presidential Directive of October 19, 2009 was not gazetted and there is no legal instrument cancelling the subsidy on DPK. The Senate Committee had also concluded that all that was required was for the Federal Government to propose appropriation for the unappropriated subsidy for the period in a supplemental budget. DPK subsidies in the review period amounted to $3.38 billion, according to the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA).

    The report further stated that the NNPC Act provides that “… Such money as may be received by the Corporation in its operations or in relation to the exercise by the Corporation of any of its functions under this Act, and from such fund there shall be defrayed all expenses incurred by the Corporation.”The Corporation defrays its costs and expenses (including the costs of its loss making subsidiaries), from crude oil revenues in line with the provisions of the NNPC Act.

     

    Recommendations

     

    The report noted that the application of the foregoing principle has resulted in the potential excess remittance situation, and indicates that NNPC operates an unsustainable model. It stated that 46 per cent of proceeds of domestic crude oil revenues for the period was spent on operations and subsidies. The Corporation is unable to sustain monthly remittances to the Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) and also meet its operational costs from the proceeds of domestic crude oil revenues and have to resort to third parties to bridge the funding gap.

    “At today’s crude oil prices at 62 per cent drop from 2012 levels), if NNPC’s subsidies and operational costs are maintained and crude oil production volumes are maintained at current levels, the Corporation will exhaust all the proceeds of domestic crude oil sales and still require additional third party funding for the deficit.  This means that the Corporation will have no funds to make any remittances to FAAC.

    “In view of the provisions of the NNPC Act which appears to grant NNPC a “blank” cheque to spend money without limit or control, and the gravity of the unsustainability of the NNPC operating model and its implications for remittances (or potential lack thereof) going forward, the NNPC Model must be reviewed and restructured as a matter of urgency. The NNPC Act should be reviewed as its visions contradict the requirement that NNPC be run as a commercially viable entity.”

    The forensic audit report, like the Senate Committee on Finance’s Probe report, clearly stated that all the revenue generated from Federal Government crude lifting for the period of January 1, 2012 to July 31,  2013 amounting to $69.34 billion was fully accounted for. The report also didn’t indict the NNPC over the allegation of unremitted or missing oil revenue. Therefore, anyone or organisation still circulating information about any unremitted or missing oil revenue or that NNPC was indicted in any report over the allegation is only either being mischievous or displaying disdain for truth, the NNPC boss stated at a forum in Lagos.

     

  • SERAP replies Okonjo-Iweala on ‘missing N30tn’

    A NON-governmental organisation, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), has urged Minister of Finance Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to “embrace constructive engagement on issues of human rights, transparency and accountability”.

    The organisation asked her “to avoid sound bite and opportunistic attacks on civil society organisations simply working to make the government fit for purpose so that it can function to improve the conditions of millions of marginalised and disadvantaged Nigerians.”

    SERAP’s advice came after Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala, last week in a statement, lambasted the group for instituting a lawsuit against her over the claim by a former Central Bank governor, Chukwuma Soludo, that Nigeria had lost about N30 trillion to corruption and mismanagement.

    Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala said it was “a politically motivated suit against her based on the discredited N30 trillion allegation by Prof. Charles Soludo.

    “The suit confirms that SERAP is nothing, but a political tool of the opposition hiding behind the façade of advocacy. Like their previous efforts, this latest one will fail because Nigerians can see through their antics…

    “We look forward to meeting SERAP in court.”

    But, SERAP, in a statement yesterday by its executive director Adetokunbo Mumuni said: “We are disappointed that Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala’s response offers little in terms of dealing with the real issue and why the minister failed to respond to a valid freedom of information request made under the law signed by this government.”

  • Girl, 13, missing

    Girl, 13, missing

    A 13-year old girl, Bilikisu Isiaka has been declared missing since February 28.

    According to her uncle, Muhammed Ganiyu, Bilikisu hawks liquid soap when she returns from school till 6pm.

    Last Saturday, he said, she went to hawk and did not return home.

    He said she hawks liquid soap to Ajeromi, Waterside and Ojo road – all in Ajegunle.

    Miss Isiaka is a primary four pupil of Ajeromi L. E. A. School.

    “She lives with her aunt, Salimotu Ganiyu, at 10, Ayetoro Street, Apapa, Ajegunle

  • Help! Our candidate is still missing in action

    Expectations are still high from people from the Northern Senatorial District of Cross River State over the return of the senatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Dr (Mrs) Rose Oko.

    Oko, who has been away from the country since September last over suspected health issues, clinched the PDP ticket in absentia.

    She represents Ogoa/Yala Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

    There has been a general feeling in the district that she was foisted on them by the powers that be in the state as they were other capable aspirants who sought the ticket but were sidelined.

    Also there is a feeling of dissent among the people that if she ought to represent them, at least they should know her whereabouts and how she is faring.

    According to some of them who expressed their dissatisfaction it is unfair that they are completely in the dark about someone who aspires to represent them in the Senate on the platform of the ruling PDP.

    “So if the election had held in February 14 we would be casting our votes for someone we would not even see. She would be somewhere we don’t know and win an election. I don’t think that would be fair on the people, she is seeking to represent,” one David Odey said.

    Rumors had it that she has been very ill and receiving treatment in a hospital abroad.

    Information gathered this week was that she was expected back last week, but could not make it. An official of the PDP in the state who begged not to be named said she is presently in the United Kingdom recuperating.

    The source said: “I spoke with her last week. She said she would be coming in. She is alive and in the UK recuperating. She was feeling well laughing and gisting. We spoke for about three minutes. The important thing is that she will come back before the elections. She would come back.”

    The situation had led caused some tension within the PDP over the matter as some stakeholders had demanded for her to be replaced. The stakeholders comprising of some members of elders/caucus committee, some wards, local government officers, youths as well as some rights groups had argued that it is unacceptable for the ruling party to field a candidate that is indisposed and is currently receiving treatment abroad for an undisclosed ailment.

    In the campaign tours of the party moving round the state, she has been noticeably absent. When campaigns for her was carried it in her district it was done with her posters.

    One of the party’s stakeholders, Elder Johnson Agba Johnson had said: “It has become imperative to raise the alarm over the health challenges facing our senatorial flag bearer, Dr. Rose Oko, and immediately seek for her replacement at this crucial stage.

    Johnson, a retired public servant, wondered last month what the rationale was for the PDP imposing a candidate they know was faced with a serious health issue, adding that it is an insult on the sensibilities of the people to insist that she is the best material at the moment.

    He said: “We have come to a stage where we all have to speak up against what is bad and the treatment meted out on us. In 2011 election when Dr. Oko won PDP primaries into the House of Representatives for Ogoja/Yala, she was on sick bed and later won in the general elections; in the last December again she still won from sick bed against all protestations from party members.

    “But the problem is not winning by proxy, but the outright impunity by the party leadership and the fate of our daughter who is critically ill and is receiving treatment outside the country. Besides, she has not shown face in all party rallies and meetings held so far in the Northern district, thereby creating rooms for rumour mongers.

    “Due simply to this we demand that the party produces her within the next twenty-four hours or we demand that replaced with another candidate as the constitution give room for such in the case of death or if a candidate is incapacitated as a result of ill health,” the party elder stated.

    As one of them who simply wanted to be called Ogar put it, “We are really awaiting her return. The people want to see who will be representing them. We cannot have a candidate in absentia. The party leadership keeps telling us she is alright and would be back. So we are watching and waiting.”

     

     

  • $20b missing oil cash: Reps to probe Pricewater Cooper’s Report

    $20b missing oil cash: Reps to probe Pricewater Cooper’s Report

    Except there is a last-minute change, opposition lawmakers in the House of Representatives will today demand that the forensic report of Pricewater Coopers on the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) be  investigated.

    The forensic audit report by Price Water House Coopers on the missing NNPC $20 billion oil money submitted to President Goodluck Jonathan whittled down the alleged missing sum to $1.48 billion.

    The motion, it was gathered, will be moved under urgent national importance and the APC is depending on its new found powers as the majority party in the House to push through the demand for a speedy investigation.

    The Chairman, House Committee on Public Accounts, Solomon Olamilekan Adeola yesterday said the manner of appointment of PriceWater Coopers and the submission of its report was fraught with irregularities.

    According to him, the “chain of the appointment of the independent audit firm (PriceWaterHouse) and the submission of the report were wrong.

    “Auditor General did not know about the appointment of the PriceWaterHouse. He didn’t know of the terms of engagement, it was done by the ministry (Finance). So when they now brought the report, the Ministry of Finance now said don’t give it to me, go and give it to the President because the Auditor General is independent according to the Constitution. If they give it to her (Minister), it will be seen as if the office of the Auditor General is subsumed under Ministry of Finance.

    “They now took PriceWaterHouse to submit it to the President and directed the President to give it to the Auditor General to present it to Nigerians. The House must cause them (Federal Government) to lay the report before us,” Adeola noted.

    The lawmaker reiterated his conviction that the whole report is a charade, wondering how out of $20billion, “NNPC was only indicted for $1.48billion. “We need to know where the balance of $18.52billion is,” he said.

    He said if need be, the House will appoint an independent consultant that will ascertain the forensic report on NNPC account to know the truthfulness or otherwise of the skeletal report put in the public domain.

    Meawhile, the House of Representatives is to engage the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala over the 2015 budget, it emerged yesterday.

    Due to the declining global crude oil price, lawmakers are to keen to resolve issues of benchmark and the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) to enable early passage of the Appropriation bill.

    The Finance Minister had on December 17, 2014 presented an adjusted estimate of N4.357 trillion from the earlier proposed N4.661 trillion in the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) in which the benchmark was pegged at $73 per barrel.

    However, in a revised MTEF that was forwarded to the National Assembly a day before the presentation of the budget, the benchmark was put at $65 per barrel.

    Global oil price is currently hovering around $60.

    The Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal, while disclosing the decision of the lawmakers reached at a three-hour closed-door session said the lawmakers were in agreement that a special Committee be raised to engage the Finance Ministry and the Budget Office.

    Chairman Appropriation Committee, John Eno and his Finance Committee counterpart, Abdulmumin Jibrin were expected to co-chair the Committee that included Banking and Currency Committee Chairman, Jones Onyereri, and Bimbo Daramola.

    Others are Yinka Ajayi, Jerry Manwe, Linus Okorie, Ibrahim Babangida, Yakub Dogara, Tajudeen Yusuf, Nnenna Ukeje, Pat Asadu, Nicholas Ossai, Babatunde Adajare, Sokonte Davis, Isa Gusau, Rep Abubakar Momoh and Dan Akpan.