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Tag: NASS

  • BREAKING Protesters storm NASS over high cost of living

    BREAKING Protesters storm NASS over high cost of living

    President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Joe Ajaero has led thousands of protesters to the National Assembly to drive home their grievances against the high cost of living in the country. 

    Various security agencies were seen stationed around the various entiries and exits of the National Assembly particularly the Federal Secretariat axis for orderliness of the exercise.

    The protesters, who were chanting, are expected to communicate their message to the leadership of the National Assembly.

    The NLC defied several warning and decided go ahead with a protest against economic hardship in the country.

    Read Also: BREAKING: NLC protest begins in parts of Lagos

    The DSS had last week warned that some persons were planning to use the opportunity of the planned protests by Organised Labour slated for 27th and 28th February to foment crisis and widespread violence.

    Director, Public Relations and Strategic Communications, DSS National Headquarters, Abuja, Dr Peter Afunanya, in a statement, called on labour to shelve the action meant to protest the economic situation in the country in the interest of peace.

    He urged that they should pursue dialogue and negotiation rather than engaging in conducts that could heighten tensions in the country.

    Details shortly. .

  • Constitution review: NASS to work with Executive, State Assemblies

    Constitution review: NASS to work with Executive, State Assemblies

    The House of Representatives said on Monday that it will address the pitfalls that led to the failure of past constitutional amendments in the country by working closely with the Executive at the states and Federal level in its constitutional amendment process to ensure that the outcome will not suffer the faith of previous exercises

    Speaking while inaugurating the House Committee on Constitution Review, Speaker of the House, Abbas Tajudeen acknowledge the pivotal role of the executive in the constitutional amendment process, while also saying that the House was also ready with carry the state Houses of Assembly along in the amendment process.

    Abbas spoke just the Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the Constitution Review Committee, Benjamin Kalu disclosed that the new Nigerian constitution will be ready within the next 24 months.

    The Speaker also said that the constitution review process will be deeply rooted in engaging with the Nigerian people at all levels, including traditional and religious institutions, pressure groups and trade unions, ethno-religious organisations, the diaspora community and much more with a view to addressing critical areas that require amendment in the constitution.

    The Speaker said the partnership with the Executive stems from recognising their pivotal role in governance, ensuring that our review process is comprehensive and considers the practical aspects of implementation, adding that in addition, the process will involve State Houses of Assembly to foster consensus and expedite adoption by States.

    He said the House intend to harness the inputs of all Nigerians at the level of senatorial districts through open forums, public consultations, and digital platforms, ensuring that every voice is heard and considered, adding that the proactive approach by the House is designed to ensure thorough engagement and deliberation.

    He said while the constitutional amendment process is both costly and laden with contentious issues, the benefits far outweigh the challenges, adding that It is an opportunity to address the pressing issues that have emerged in our polity, to close gaps in our legal system, and to strengthen the foundations of our democracy.

    The Speaker said further that the inauguration of the House Committee is not just a ritual, but a reflection of the collective resolve to ensure that the foundational document of the nation’s democracy evolves to meet the aspirations of all Nigerians.

    He said that the House is already working on a Constitution Alteration Procedure Bill to provide a framework and a timeline for the passage of Constitution alteration bills by the National Assembly and adoption by State Houses of Assembly.

    The House Committee is made up of one member each from the 36 states and the, Principal Officers of the House, Zonal Caucus Leaders, six representatives of women to be chosen from each of the geo political zones (there is no female lawmaker from the North West) as well as Persons with Disability who will be co-opted into the secretariat of the committee.

    The Speaker said the mandate of the Committee is to receive and consider proposals for alteration of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), create a forum for stakeholders and the public to make inputs into the review process and collaborate with the Senate and the State Houses of Assembly as required by law.

    Speaker Abbas said further that “our country has witnessed significant milestones and challenges alike. Through each phase, our democracy has been tested and is still being challenged. Yet, even after 25 years, it stands resilient, reinforced by our collective belief in the principles of freedom, equality, and justice for all.

    “The 1999 Constitution, as the supreme law of the land, has been the grundnorm of our democracy for over two decades. Yet, like any great edifice, it requires periodic assessment and renovation to ensure it meets the changing needs and aspirations of our people.

    “While some citizens argue that the document should be entirely discarded, it is important to remember that democratic consolidation can only be incremental and gradual. Even more mature democracies have accepted this position in advancing democratic consolidation. For instance, the United States has ratified 27 amendments to its Constitution.

    He said further that since the inception of the Fourth Republic, the Constitution has been subjected to five alterations with landmark changes that have strengthened nation’s democratic institutions, federalism and governance generally.

    Read Also: Constitution review: NASS to work with executive, state Assemblies

    He said “Under the 9th Assembly, the Fifth Alteration made some of the most far-reaching amendments. It clarified and reinforced financial autonomy for State Houses of Assembly and Judiciary, decongested the Executive List, defined guidelines for the first session and Inauguration of Members-Elect of the National and State Houses of Assembly, and deleted reference to the provisions of the Criminal Code, Penal Code, Criminal Procedure Act, Criminal Procedure Code or Evidence Act, among others.

    He said the parliament expects the sixth alteration to be the most comprehensive, adding that the House Agenda is ambitious in its scope and encompasses wide-ranging issues pivotal to our national growth.

    He said “among these are devolution of powers, including state policing; enhancement of fiscal federalism through local government autonomy; further decongesting the Exclusive Legislative List; recognising and assigning constitutional roles for traditional institutions; and promoting inclusivity, particularly greater gender equity and women representation into appointive and elective positions.

    “Other critical areas for your consideration include implementing comprehensive electoral reforms to address the gaps identified in the aftermath of the 2023 general elections; strengthening the enforceability of legislative instruments; and institutional strengthening for greater accountability, among others.

    “These areas are crucial for reinforcing our democracy and ensuring that the governance structure meets the needs and aspirations of all Nigerians. Several Bills have already been introduced in both the Senate and the House, touching on some of these very important issues”.

    Speaker Abbas said Nigerians must not shy away from the complexities and the debates that will arise during the process, but embrace them as vital components of a vibrant democracy, saying “the discussions and disagreements are not signs of weakness, but rather indications of our strength and diversity. They remind us that we are a nation of many voices, each with something valuable to contribute to our collective future.

    In his remarks, the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu said the plan to get the new Constitution available early is to give the President time to study the alterations before signing them into law away from the busy schedule of election year.

    He said “Our constitution, the foundation of our democracy, stands as a testament to

    our collective aspirations for a just, equitable, and prosperous society. Yet,

    as we confront the realities of the 21st century, it is incumbent upon us to

    recognize the imperative for constitutional reform, to ensure that our laws reflect our people’s evolving needs and aspirations”.

    Kalu said the House has so far received bill proposals for the establishment of state police; state access to mines; increased participation of women in politics; clear specification of the taxes/levies to be collected by each tier of government and the provision for the office of the Mayor of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja.

    He said several bill proposals that were passed, but did not make the President’s

    assent during the Fifth Constitution alterations have been brought back to the current amendment, including powers of the National Assembly and State Assemblies to

    summon the President and State governors, and requirements of the government to direct policies towards ensuring the rights to food and food security.

    According to him, this highlights the dynamic nature of the constitution review process and

    its importance to the democratic strengthening of the country, adding that the House was willing to accommodate more proposals to enhance the Constitution and strengthen the nation’s democracy.

    He said the House was also waiting for executive-sponsored bill proposals that reflect issues on the renewed hope agenda of the President, while acknowledging amendments to the constitution carried out by previous assemblies.

    Kalu said the committee is ready to embrace the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, leveraging the power of technology, social media, and inclusive engagement, we will ensure that every voice is heard, every perspective is considered, and every citizen is empowered to participate in the shaping of our nation’s future.

    He said further that “as we embark on this journey, let us draw inspiration from the words of great leaders who have come before us. Let us remember the wisdom of Tafawa Balewa, who spoke of the necessity of unity and collaboration in our efforts to build a brighter future.

    “Together, let us reaffirm our commitment to democracy, justice, and progress. Together, let us rise to the challenge and build a brighter future for Nigeria, a future that is truly of the people, by the people, and for the people”.

    Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio assured that the Senate and House Committees will work seamlessly to ensure a comprehensive review of the constitution, adding that the process was not just a law review, but an amendment with the potential to reshape the nation’s democracy.

    Represented by his Deputy, Senator Barau Jibrin, Senator Akpabio said that the process will be guided by the highest principles of transparency, diligence and inclusiveness, while embracing the spirit of collaboration.

    Chairman of Conference of Speakers of State Houses of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin said the lawmakers must first understand the diversity of the nation, to be in a better position to address the challenges, adding that Leaders must make moves to address the tough times in the nation today.

    Ogundoyin said the debate and calls for the review of the constitution will continue until the nation gets it right while calling for devolution of power to the federating states and allow them take control of certain items currently in the hands of the federal government.

    He assured that the state Houses of Assembly will collaborate with the National Assembly in the amendment process, adding that the state Assemblies will ratify the document sent to them as a result of the engagement.

  • CSOs urge NASS to probe FG’s $3.4bn COVID 19 loan, subsidy savings, others

    CSOs urge NASS to probe FG’s $3.4bn COVID 19 loan, subsidy savings, others

    A coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) on Friday, called on the National Assembly to probe the $3.4billion loan collected by the Federal Government from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in April 2020 without proof of how it was utilised.

    The group also kicked against ceaseless requests for loans by the Federal Government and expeditious approvals given by the National Assembly with little or nothing to point at as what the loans were used for.

    They added that savings made by the government from fuel subsidy removal from May last year till date have not been accounted for by the government, as Nigerians are watching and suffering.

    The nine CSOs led by the Executive Director of Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, at a media briefing, alleged that the incessant loans by the FG made the debt profile of the country to presently stand at N87.9trillion, which is equivalent to $114.3billion.

    Read Also: NASS ready to accommodate state police in constitution, says Senate spokesman

    “The escalating debt burden has profound implications for the well-being of Nigerian citizens, and failure to act quickly could result in an additional 23 million Nigerians living in poverty and 80 million working-age citizens without a fulltime job by 2030.

    “These concerning trends underscore the need for the National Assembly to urgently do the needful by among others, investigate the movement and spending of loans received by the Federal Government in the past and present administrations, including but not limited to the $3.4billion loan obtained from IMF, as reported in the 2020 annual audited report published by the Auditor-General of the Federation.

    “Stopping borrowing for recurrent expenditure (personnel and overheads) and dilatory capital expenditure that adds no value to economic growth, wealth creation and development.

    “Demanding accountability for petrol subsidy savings and sincerity of purpose in fulfilling the government’s ‘promises of renewed hope ‘ to the millions of Nigerians who no longer have belts to tighten.”

  • PASAN rejects moves to extend retirement age of NASS’ clerk, directors, others

    PASAN rejects moves to extend retirement age of NASS’ clerk, directors, others

    There is palpable tension in the National Assembly over ongoing moves to extend the retirement age of the Clerk to the National Assembly, Sani Magaji Tambawal, and other top directors in the bureaucracy whose retirements are about due.

    The Senate and the House of Representatives are currently considering a bill titled: “Harmonised Retirement Age of Staff of National Assembly Service Bill, 2024.”

    The main objective of the bill is to add five years to the established retirement age of staff in the employment of the National Assembly.

    The House of Representatives has passed the Bill and it was introduced in the Senate on Wednesday this week for concurrence.

    While some top management staff about to retire are said to be fully in support of the Bill because of the obvious benefits, other cadres of staff are kicking against it, saying it would lead to career stagnation.

    If passed by both chambers and assented to by President Bola Tinubu, the clerk, directors and over 200 staff due for retirement in the National Assembly this year and other parliamentary employees across the 36 States Houses of Assembly in the country would stay on for another five years.

    The staff who are apprehensive said the attempt to extend the retirement age of the staff of the National Assembly Service from 60 to 65 years of age and from 35 to 40 years of service is unacceptable.

    According to a section of the nominal roll of the National Assembly Service sighted by our Correspondent, the current Clerk to the National Assembly, Sani Magaji Tambawal joined the National Assembly Service in April 1990 (34 years ago) and was born in 1965.

    If the Bill scales through, he will remain in office until he’s 65 and 40 years in service.

    The Senate had on Wednesday listed the controversial Bill which had passed a third reading in the House of Representatives for concurrence.

    Before this time, several attempts had been made by both chambers of the National Assembly to extend the retirement age of the members of staff of the National Assembly Service since 2017.

    Some of the aggrieved staff against the bill insisted that the proposed extension of tenure would be contrary to and a direct breach of the Conditions of Service prescribed in the Public Service Rules which provides for the retirement age of persons in the public service of the federation at the attainment of 60 years of age or 35 years in service, whichever comes first.

    While the then National Assembly management had vigorously pursued the passage of the Bill into law, the Staff under the aegis of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) which was then led by Bature Musa, rejected the Bill in its entirety.

    The rejection of the Bill was attributed to what the workers’ union termed an “attempt by Clerk to the National Assembly and the management team to perpetuate themselves in office for another five years after they are due for retirement from service.”

    The union had argued that the controversial Bill if passed, would bring stagnation on the career progression of its members and would serve only the interest of the management staff, especially those who were due for retirement from service.

    Consequently, the Union in a letter addressed to the President of the Senate and the Rt. Honourable Speaker of the House of Representatives denounced the Bill and threatened industrial action should the legislators go ahead to pass the Bill.

    It said the Union’s position led the two Chambers to discontinue action on the Bill which was respectively sponsored by Hon. Sunday Akon in the House and Senator Stella Oduah in the Senate during the 9th Assembly.

    However, determined to see it through, the management allegedly reached a deal with the National Assembly Service Commission and smuggled the tenure extension into the Conditions of Service in use in the National Assembly Service, but the Union protested and forced the Commission to expunge it from the revised edition of the Conditions of Service currently in use.

    The revision led to the retirement of the then Clerk to the National Assembly, Mohammed Sani Omolori, and 150 staff of the service.

    However, further attempts were made in the House of Representatives under the speakership of Femi Gbajabiamila but were rejected by the House thus, the Bill did not see the light of the day under the then Clerk to the National Assembly, Amos Olatunde Ojo also believed to have been interested in the extension.

    Presently, the Management led by the current Clerk to the National Assembly, Magaji Sani Tambawal is believed to be in total support of the Bill.

    However, some members of PASAN are said to have rejected the move by the Senate to concur to the decision of the House of Representatives, citing the same reasons adduced by the Union in 2019.

    The staff queried the move, asking what has changed in 2024 that is motivating the present Assembly to buy into the Bill to the extent that it is in a hurry to get it passed.

    Read Also: Lagos Assembly urges NASS to begin constitutional amendment process

    The workers alleged that the present leadership of PASAN, National Assembly chapter may have been compromised to remain silent over the move.

    They accused the PASAN leadership of buying into the attempt to stagnate the career progression of the majority of staff and blocking the viable youth population who would be employed in the service upon the retirement of over 200 staff who are due to retire between 2024 and 2026.

    They wondered why the leadership that led the struggle against the Bill during Omolori and Ojo respectively would now go against the Union’s position.

    They called on the leadership of the Senate to throw away the Bill in the public and national interest, calling their attention to the prevalent crime rate among Nigerian youths due to the alarming unemployment.

  • Benue rerun: NASS Caucus lauds Akume, Agada for Uche’s victory

    Benue rerun: NASS Caucus lauds Akume, Agada for Uche’s victory

    Benue National Assembly Caucus has hailed the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume and chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Austin Agada, over the success of the rerun election in Benue State on Saturday.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), conducted a rerun election to fill the vacant seat of the Guma 1 State Constituency at the Benue Assembly on Saturday where four candidates of various parties participated.

    Declaring the result in Daudu, the Constituency headquarters, the Returning Officer, Prof Julius Ikya, announced the APC candidate, Mr Terwase Uche as the winner, having polled 5,289 votes to defeat the PDP candidate, Hon. Geoffrey Jimin, who polled 4,134 votes, while the Labour Party (LP) candidate scored 2,833.

    Addressing newsmen at the Secretariat of the Caucus in Abuja on Sunday, the Spokesperson, Hon. Philip Agbese, on behalf of the Caucus, congratulated the duo of Akume and the APC State Chairman, Agada, for the unprecedented victory at the polls.

    The Caucus, which comprises Federal lawmakers from Benue State and of various political parties at the National Assembly, also hailed INEC, security agencies and principal actors in the election for the peaceful conduct.

    It attributed the success of the election to the sterling leadership of Akume and Agada in the state, which has made the victory of APC possible despite the forces within and outside the APC, to sabotage the hard work of faithful party men.

    “Against all odds, the rerun was peaceful. Against all odds, the APC candidate won; despite the strong forces within the party, collaborating with those outside the party to sabotage the labour of party faithful in the area.

    “We were in receipt of credible intelligence about high tension forces within the party, which should have originally added efforts to support the labour of original APC men and women, led by our Member, RT. Hon. Dickson Tarkighir; but rather, deployed the resources of the party and the collective patrimony of the people, to fight the people and sabotage their genuine labour.

    Read Also: Benue bye-election: APC candidate in early lead

    “But for the timely guidance and credible leadership provided by the Leader of the Party, Senator George Akume and the State Chairman, Comrade Austin Agada, the story would have been different. Now, Benue people have known the truth. The APC as a party has also seen the difference between genuine party men and those who were invited to come and eat.

    “And in all these, too, we must acknowledge the levelled playing ground provided by the electoral umpire, INEC; the professional and civil manners the security agencies conducted themselves during the election and the level of cooperation from the participants and their agents.

    “It spells good future for the state. It means future elections will toll this pattern of peace, freeness, fairness and credibility. Benue people have reached a higher stage of political awareness and this is a plus for us. The electorate too must be commended,” the Caucus said. 

  • Institute to NASS: Enact law to regulate acquisition, holding of foreign currency

    Institute to NASS: Enact law to regulate acquisition, holding of foreign currency

    The Chartered Institute of Treasury Management (CITM) has urged the National Assembly to enact a law that would regulate the acquisition and holding of foreign currency, particularly dollars, to strengthen the naira.

    Registrar of the institute, Olumide Adedoyin urged the Federal Government to come alive to its responsibility of protecting the national currency by enacting proper legislation to protect the sanctity of the naira.

    Adedoyin said there was a need for political will to take fundamental decisions on the process of regulating the acquisition and holding of foreign currency.

    Read Also; Namibia’s President Hage Geingob dies at 82

    He said: “There are multiple economic indicators ranging from inflation rates, interest rates, economic growth, trade balance, political will and stability, and market sentiments as determinants for the real value of the naira.

    According to him, the challenges currently in the financial system are that if the monetary authorities decided to make available the sum of a trillion dollars into the economy, it would be mopped up within 24 hours.

     He said this was so because the majority of the affluent Nigerians have vaults within their households where currency is stored.

     According to him, it is either for speculative motives or for illicit trading and value enhancement of private wealth outside the banking system.

  • NASS, where is our severance package?

    NASS, where is our severance package?

    • By Joseph Chimezie

    Sir: The legislative aides of the 9th National Assembly whose tenure ended on June 12, 2023, are calling on well-meaning Nigerians to help us beg the Clerk of National Assembly and the accounts department to please do the needful and pay our severance package.

    The issue of severance payment has been lingering on for months, and it seems people in charge are expecting us to do our worst before they will do the needful.

    Our principals, who served in the 9th Assembly as lawmakers, both senators and House of Representatives members, have all been paid their severance allowances.

    They got their severance before December 13, 2023. After paying our principals, we were supposed to be the next in line because the money had already been approved with those of our principals.

    We were assured by our executive committee members (excos) that our severance would be paid a week after our principals were paid. The week passed, minority few were paid, and they protested what they got was way below what they should be paid. The accounts department noticed the discrepancies and withheld payment.

    They reached us through our excos that we should exercise patience. They want to go through our files and ascertain how much each aide would get, and after that, they will pay in batches.

    Days turned to weeks and weeks to a month, yet nothing has been heard.

    Read Also: Tinubu will not accept substandard job on East-West road- Umahi

    The batches they assured us they will pay were supposed to last till December 2023.

    Many went and took loans to celebrate Christmas with the hope that our severance would be ready before the end of January. A month has passed, and many of our colleagues are already stranded.

    We have tried to reach the accounts department in charge of our severance, but there is no genuine excuse why we haven’t been paid.

    The last excuse was that they were trying to reconcile our accounts. Some account numbers are not corresponding. The same account numbers they used in paying salaries for four years suddenly became incorrect?

    Is National Assembly management using our severance package to do personal business?

    On behalf of about 5000 legislative aides, I’m through this medium, appealing to Nigerians whose voices can be heard in high places and the mass media to please help us intervene and call on National Assembly authorities to pay us our severance.

    •Joseph Chimezie,

    For 9th Assembly National Legislative Aides.

  • Presidency denies cash distribution to NASS members

    Presidency denies cash distribution to NASS members

    The Presidency has refuted the allegations that President Bola Tinubu gave cash to the National Assembly members as palliatives to the people in their constituencies and senatorial districts during the festive period.

    Last week, there were reports that the federal government had distributed cash and palliative items worth N200 million and N100 million to senators and members of the House of Representatives respectively.

    A statement issued by the special assistant to the president on social media, Dada Olusegun on Sunday, January 7, clarified that the President only distributed rice and other food items as palliatives and sort of constituency projects worth 100 million per federal constituency and n200 million per senatorial constituency.

    Read Also: Controversy trails FG’s distribution of palliative items worth N300 million to senators, Reps members

    He urged Nigerians to disregard any misinformation or propaganda that may suggest otherwise.

    He wrote: “Clarification on the distributed NASS palliatives by the Presidency during the festive period:

    “President Tinubu did not give cash to the National Assembly members as palliatives to the people in the constituencies and senatorial districts.

    “The President through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security only distributed rice and other food items as palliatives and sort of Constituency Projects worth 100 Million per Federal Constituency and N200 Million per Senatorial Constituency.

    “The NASS members are considered to be closest to ordinary Nigerians people in all parts of the country. The emanating insinuations from some Nigerians out there suggesting that some National Assembly members are hoarding the palliatives is grossly misleading because they can only distribute when they have received it, and this is due to logistic reasons behind the distribution process.

    “Again, President Tinubu approved the distribution of trailers’ load of food materials to National Assembly members, but it was not done in cash. It was food items sourced through the Ministry of Agriculture.”

  • NASS budgets N25 billion for car parks, recreation centre, hospital

    NASS budgets N25 billion for car parks, recreation centre, hospital

    The National Assembly is to construct car parks for both the Senate and House of Representatives and a recreation Centre for the Assembly at the cost of N10 billion in the 2024 budget estimate approved by the lawmakers on Saturday. 

    This is as the lawmakers made an astronomical increase in the budget estimate from N197.93 billion presented by the President to N333.85 billion, while the budget of the National Judicial Council was also increased from N165 billion to N341.63 billion.  

    N6 billion of the amount is to be used for the construction of two separate car parks for the lawmakers, while N4 billion will be used to construction the recreation centre. 

    A special provision of N30 billion was made for the FCDA in the budget for the completion of ongoing renovation work in the two chambers of the National Assembly as well as another N20 billion for the completion of office complex of the National Assembly Service Commission aside the N10 billion provided for the project in the busget of the National Assembly.

    The lawmakers have also earmarked about N15 billion to built a National Assembly Hospital.

    A study of the statutory transfers contained in the budget revealed that the busget of the Universal Basic Education Commission was increased from N251.47 billion to N263. 04 billion, while that of the Niger Delta Development Commission was also increased from N324. 8 billion to N338.9 billion. 

    The Public Complaint Commission, got a marginal increased in its budget, while the North East Development Commission, Basic Health Care Provision Fund and National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure also got marginal increased in their budget. 

    However, the budget of N40 billion given to the Independent National Electoral Commission was retained, while the National Human Rights Commission budget of N5 billion did not change. 

    The capital budget of the Ministry of Works was increased by the lawmakers from about N521 billion to about N892 billion. 

    However, for the first time, the lawmakers provided a breakdown of how it intend to spend uts budget. 

    The National Assembly bureaucracy captured under the subhead of National Assembly Office got N36.727 billion, the Senate was allocated N49.144 while the House of Representatives got N78.624 billion. 

    Read Also: Onjeh decries NASS Benue APC stance on Gov Alia, sues for peace

    In addition, National Assembly Service Commission was allocated N12.325 billion, Legislatives Aides (N20.388 billion), Public Accounts Committee of both the Senate and House of Representatives were allocated N130 million and N150 million respectively. 

    The Legislative arm is budgeting N30.807 billion for general services and N15. 188 billion for Service Wide Vote. 

    The National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies NILDS) has two like item in the budget N9.008 billion qnd another  and another N4.5 billion for the completion of its headquarters complex along Airport Road, Abuja. 

    The Office of Retired Clerks and Permanent  Secretaries was allocated N1.230 billion, while Appropriation Committees of the Senate and the House got N200 million each. 

    The newly completed Nass Library Complex got a take off grant N12.123 billion qnd another N3 billion for the procurement of Books, while the Assembly is to spend N9.9 billion on liabilities and N1 billion on Constitution review. 

    Also, Construction of NASC building which is an ongoing project is to gulp N10 billion, while they plan to spend about N4 billion on solar power system to serve as alternative Power Supply. 

    Other allocations include NASS Zonal Liaison Offices (N3 billion) , NASS Pension Board (!N2.5 billion take off grant), Nass Car Park Project – Senate (N3 billion), Nass Car Park Project – House of Representatives (N3 billion), Nass Hospital Project (N15 billion), Nass Recreation Centre (N4 billion). 

    The budget for the National Assembly also include Furnishing of Committee Meeting Rooms & other Offices within the Senate Building (N2.7 billion), Furnishing of Committee Meeting Rooms For House Representatives Building Part I & II (N3 billion), Upgrade of NASS Key Infrastructures (N3 billion), Design, Construction, Furnishing and Equipping of NASS Ultramodern Printing Press (N3 billion) and Design, Construction, Furnishing and Equipping of the National Assembly Budget & Research Office (N4 billion) 

    However, no provision was made in the budget for Tertiary Institutions Revitalization, Provision of Radio-Diagnostic Centres at Selected Federal Tertiary Hospitals and the NA Laboratory in Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) and National Hospital Abuja. 

  • Absence of petroleum ministers stalls budget defence in NASS

    Absence of petroleum ministers stalls budget defence in NASS

    The absence of the two ministers in charge of Petroleum Resources (Oil and Gas), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri and Hon. Ekperipe Ekpo on Thursday, December 14, stalled the budget defence of the ministry before a Joint Committee of Senate and House of Representatives. 

    The Joint Committee rejected a representation from the ministry and asked that the two mInisters to appear before them on Monday, December 19.

    Both the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives have assured that the budget will be passed before the end of the year to maintain the January to December budget circle. 

    The adjournment followed a motion by Sen. Abdulaziz Yari who said that the committee is constrained to adjourn following the absence of the officials. 

    He said the the officials should be given a second opportunity saying that there should appear on December 19. 

    Earlier, the Chairman, House Committee of Petroleum Resources (Upstream) Rep. Ado Doguwa (APC-Kano state) said the committee will not accept representatives from the Ministry. 

    Meanwhile, Chairman of the House Committee on Public Procurement, Hon. Unlike Idem said sais the nation’s procurement process has a vital role to play in the eradication of corruption in the Country.

    Speaking during budget defence of the Bureau for Public Procurement, Hon. Idem said most of the corruption cases in the country can be traced to Procurement processes. 

    Read Also: 2024 budget defence: Keep to schedules or be sanctioned, Akpabio warns MDAs

    He stressed the need for continuous cooperation with the Bureau of Public Procurement to enable them work harmoniously and ensure that all MDAs observe due process, transparency and accountability in the procurement process. 

    This he said that was the only way to ensure that tax payers money are accounted for and spent judiciously.

    He said the Committee will intensify its oversight functions with the aim of strengthening the Bureau to build and sustain an efficient procurement system that meets international best practices.