The Nation Newspaper

Tag: National Assembly (NASS)

  • Group wants anti-corruption agencies strengthened

    Worried about the rate at which corruption cases reported by the media are swept under the carpet, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), an Abuja-based non-governmental organisation (NGO) led by its Executive Director, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, recently organised a meeting in Lagos with Advisory Committee on Strengthening Legislative Accountability and Anti-Corruption Mechanisms (SLAAM) to proffer solutions to the ugly trend.

    The meeting was part of efforts to strengthen legislative mandate in the fight against corruption. The meeting held in Lagos was sequel to the Report of Analysis on Media Reports on Corruption Cases in Nigeria, which was launched last week in Abuja.

    The analysis of media reportage on corruption is published by CISLAC to serve as advocacy tool for improving legislative role in the fight against corruption. At the meeting, the advocacy group identified and enumerated some challenges hampering effective legislative oversight to curb corruption.

    According to Rafsanjani, the limitations of the Press Corps at both chambers of the National Assembly (NASS) to embark on investigative journalism to expose corruption in the performance of oversight, rotational transfer of Committee Clerks affect the quality of legislative input at the committee level, non-participation of the public in the process leading up to the passage of the budget, the non-existence of a performance appraisal to spur to legislators to their mandates,  insufficient capacity on the part of civil society organisations to meaningfully engage the legislature for a positive change and poor funding of the committees to effectively carry out oversight functions.

    Rafsanjani said the meeting became imperative because there is no single sector of Nigeria’s economy that is spared from the menace of corruption currently. He noted that from education to agriculture, health to environment, oil and gas, public finance sector corruption continues to thrive, thereby hampering our collective desire for a prosperous and developed country.

    He cited the 2018 Annual Corruption Perception Index (CPI) of Transparency International, which tagged Nigeria as a country with a high level of corruption. The 2018 index places the country at 144 out of 175 least corrupt countries in the world. This ranking, he said, comes in the wake of the Federal Government’s posturing of fighting the menace.

    In order to take government seriously and erase the impression of paying lip service to the war against corruption, Rafsanjani stressed that CPI ranking is a clear indication that government must move beyond talking corruption to actually operationalising extant laws as well as strengthen institutions to fight the scourge, adding that the country’s laws, policies and institutions must be the guiding instruments upon which the fight against corruption must be based.

    He said as part of CSOs contributions to curbing corruption in Nigeria, CISLAC, last week, launched a publication on Analysis of Media Reports on Corruption cases in Nigeria. The Analysis Report which was published in two volumes, show extensive reportage on corruption cases, most of which have gone unpublished.

    “This meeting is a strategic one to engage National Assembly and relevant committees on corruption to be able to pick up media reports on corruption cases. This include corruption in the oil and gas sector, as audit  reports carried out by NEITI from 1999 to date has produced about 10 audited reports with  serious indictment of so many companies not paying  taxes and nothing has been done on non-remittance to the government  coffers.

    “Also, in the areas of education, few cases have been reported and nothing much is done about it even by anti-corruption agencies as well as relevant agencies in the National Assembly.  A lot of ministries and parastatals have been receiving allocations from the Federation Accounts since 2015 and no audited reports are submitted to the Auditor-General.

    “We have also have a lot of issues on procurement which  the media reported  severally and not much has been addressed by either anti-corruption agencies or National Assembly particularly lack of  inauguration of Procurement Council continues to pave way for corruption in the procurement sector.

    Also, corruption in the judiciary has continued to erode confidence among Nigerians about access to justice and integrity in the electoral system, which has continued to tamper with political integrity in the political system.

    “In order to ensure that the leadership of the National Assembly are involved in this fight, we are engaging the Speaker, his office and members of House of Representatives on how to organise a National Summit on Anti-Corruption.

    “And through this media rapport, we have been working with the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Miscellaneous Offenses Commission (ICPC) to pay attention to some of the reports in the media. There is the need for them to work together to ensure that corruption cases are investigated and those involved should be prosecuted. So, the role of the media and CISLAC in this whole intervention cannot be over-emphasised,” he said.

  • Nigerians set to vote President, NASS members

    Nigerians will today (Saturday) go to the polls to elect their president and 469 members of the National Assembly (NASS).

    This is coming a week after the exercise was rescheduled by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) late Friday night (Feb. 16).

    While the electoral umpire would conduct only the presidential and NASS election this Saturday, the poll for the governorship and State Houses of Assembly as well as the Area Council election for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) would hold on March 9.

    The election will hold at 119,973 polling units across the country, while collation of results will take place in 8,809 Registration Areas or Wards, 774 Local Government Areas, 36 States and the FCT.

    The polling units are expected to open by 8 a.m. and close by 2 p.m. with the last person on the line allowed to vote.

    INEC had said that the use of Smart Card Readers and Permanent Voter Cards were compulsory for the elections.

    The major presidential contenders are incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former vice president Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Demographic Party (PDP).

    Read Also: 12 presidential candidates back Buhari

    Others include Prof. Kingsley Moghalu of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), Omoyele Sowore of the African Action Congress (AAC), Felix Osakwe of the Democratic People’s Party (DPP), and Christopher Okotie of Fresh Party.

    For the National Assembly elections, a total of 1,904 are vying for 109 Senatorial seats, while 4,680 candidates are competing for the 360 seats in the House of Representatives.

    Specifically, Nigeria’s NASS is made up of 109 members of the Senate or Red Chamber and 360 members of the House of Representatives or Green Chamber.

    The total number of registered voters in the country is 84,004,084, with 44,405,439 (52.86 per cent) as male, and 39,598,645 (47.14 per cent) as female.

     

     

  • Groups sign ‘Abuja Accord’ to support Nigeria’s unity against religious, ethnic bigotry

    The National Inter- Faith and Religious Organizations for Peace ( NIFROP) has rallied together civil society organizations, NGOs, FBOs etc to  sign a pact for national cohesion, unity, peace and stability tagged:  ‘Abuja Accord’ to win the war against religious and ethnic bigotry in our national life .
    The peace treaty was signed on Thursday after a two-day International Conference held at Abua .
    The groups in a communique issued at the end of the programme, urged Nigerians to eschew ethno-religious sentiments and resolve to embrace national cohesion, stability, peace and unity as articulated by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
    The combined groups mutually reached and endorsed the following resolutions:
     It congratulated the President Muhammadu Buhari for supervising the conduct of a successful, free, fair and credible 2019 general elections. He was applauded for disabling the plots and exiting the fears of Nigerians over a possible disruption of 2019 general elections and, seamlessly dislodging the potent phobia of electoral violence during and after the ballots.
       We also commend and congratulate the masses of Nigeria for their steadfastness in Nigeria’s democracy and peaceful conduct throughout the duration and segments of the 2019 general elections.
    The parley noted with great delight the slight improvement in voter-turnout, expressed in the enthusiasm of Nigerians to vote leaders of their choice at various levels. It is surely, a step towards dismantling the leech of voter-apathy in the democratic process and urged all Nigerians to intensify efforts to finally bury the ghost of electoral apathy.
    The meeting resolved that the President Buhari-led Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) today has demonstrated a clear direction and focus on national re-engineering and recovery of Nigeria in the spheres of social revival, economic prosperity, security and anti-corruption sub-sectors. This deserves encouragement and espousal by all compatriots for him to go the proverbial extra mile.
      The Group noted the abundant evidences in the determination and commitment of the present government in its drive for peace,  unity, the indissolubility and indivisibility of Nigeria,  by fostering dialogue for  national cohesion on thorny issues like ethno-religious tolerance  and peaceful co-existence among Nigerians of different ethno-religious and political persuasions.
       The parley noted with excitement the indelible imprints of the Buhari Presidency in hitherto neglected areas such as his ardent pursuit of food security and diversification of the economy through the promotion of mechanized agriculture and the soft loans to Nigerian farmers to boost robust agricultural engagements all over the county.
     The Groups pinpointed to Nigeria’s enlivened redemption journey with the revival of the railways transport; upgrade of national power generation and distribution from 2,300 megawatts of national grid in May 2015 to over 7,100 megawatts by end of 2018. We implored Mr. President to sustain these remedial actions.
     The increment in workers’ salaries with the President signing a New Minimum Wage Bill a fortnight ago and the expanding windows of the Social Investment Program (SIP) and the popular N-Power Jobs among many other similar schemes for the poorest of poor Nigerians are silent strategies of the administration in redistributing the country’s commonwealth, to majority of less privileged Nigerians, hitherto hijacked and concentrated in the hands of a few ruling elites.
        The Abuja Accord also resolved that for Nigeria as a nation, it is incumbent on her citizens to necessarily embrace the new breeze of “Change,” as spearheaded by President Buhari. Nigerians are invited to boldly make a statement to the entire world by supporting initiatives, policies and programmes which lubricate this “Change,” as it is clear the FGN alone cannot make the desired impact. The cooperation and support of the citizenry is indispensable.
    Therefore, Nigerians are challenged to imbibe new thoughts, values, perceptions and interpretations of national issues detached from personal proclivities or mundane contemplations. National interest should henceforth, be elevated above clannish or sectional interests.
        To this end, all Nigerians, old or young are prodded to consciously work in the direction of assisting the central and various state governments in implanting a boisterous agenda of   national cohesion, stability, peace and unity in all nooks and crannies of Nigeria.
        These are only the firm pillars of a prosperous and burgeoning Nigeria.  We cannot wish otherwise because these are the tripods that will foster rapid growth and development; whilst we de-emphasize pushy ethnic and religious sentiments, with the personal idiosyncratic approach to national issues. We are first of all, Nigerians before members of any community in the country.
          Consequently, the Abuja Accord intensely and strongly condemned the resurgence of violence and killings in some parts of the country for whatever reasons. No nation attains its height of progress through such beastly manifestations.
          It appreciated the inevitability of disputes or disagreements among people and communities. But it advocated for dialogue and amicable settlement as better, decent and more respectful weapon to adopt when such disagreements erupts or in conflict situations.  It confers dignity on the feuding parties and the image of the country.
      We pray for the souls of our brothers and sisters who have lost their lives in these unfortunate and senseless crises to rest in the bosom of Almighty God. We also wish the wounded quick recovery from their injuries, as we collectively pray for a cessation of the crises and against its resurgence anywhere in the country.
           The Abuja Accord found it expedient to call on leaders of Nigeria at the lower rung; whether political, traditional or religious to be more circumspect in their utterances and actions on potentially explosive national issues. They have a moral obligation to support the Buhari Presidency on its path of Nigerian redemption.
       Abuja parley extremely frowned at recent comments from religious and traditional leaders which infused ethno-religious sentiments in the lobbying for the constitution of President Buhari’s next cabinet and the emergence of the leadership of the 9th National Assembly (NASS).
      The unhealthy informal debate between the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA). The two apex religious bodies in Nigeria seem at daggers drawn on a Christian or Muslim Senate President or Speaker of the House of Representatives, much against the trumpeted dictum of the new order of #NextLevel in Nigeria.
     The Abuja Conference expressed extreme displeasure at voicing such sentiments on a Christian or Muslim President of the Senate or Speaker of the House of Representatives as a descent into the retrogressive past, which Nigerians are unwilling to romance or accommodate today in any nuance.
       It was resolved that all religious leaders in the country should humbly and respectfully abstain from public partisan comments or leadership recommendations on the basis of religion.
    Also, the Abuja Accord endorsed the resolution to humbly inform these religious leaders that it is against the spirit of inter-faith and religious harmony and national cohesion among Nigerians to display such abhorrent postures.
         More so, as such recommendations are not the direct business of religious leaders, whose recognizable and godly duty is to pray fervently for the emergence of good leaders in the country. They should be concerned more about good leaders who would promote the idea of one Nigeria, as against the subsisting irrational segregation on religious fault lines.
        Furthermore, the Abuja Accord also reached a resolution that all ethnic warlords and bigots who have identified the consistent castigation of security agencies as failing in taming insecurity in the country as their only noble duty to give peace a chance. They are counseled to allow security agents do their jobs undistracted by the often influenced dishonest views they propagate to the disservice of Nigeria.
     It was acknowledged that traditional rulers and ethnic champions have greater roles to play in quelling crises in their respective domains than mere open rebuke of heads of security agencies over perceived wrongs. The penchant of traditional/ethnic leaders in constant interference with the governance process is also detestable and should be discarded.
     And where there are genuine concerns about lapses in the operation of security agencies, these traditional leaders have the onerous responsibility to approach the heads of the security agency concerned to raise his observations and recommendations in a manner that confers dignity on all parties.
    Such platforms will not erode the confidence of Nigerians in the job of these security agencies and oddly, ennoble the ethnic warmongers with a false sense of triumph over the Nigerian state as currently obtained. When leaders are disposed to national issues, especially on security in this porous manner, it does not lay the template for building the virile and great nation of our dreams.
    Going forward, the Abuja Accord has resolved that President Buhari must necessarily serve Nigerians an all-round hard working cabinet as he takes the oath of office for his second term on May 29, 2019.
    Mr. President is encouraged to search deeply and far to engage members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) who are competent, resourceful and committed to his “Change” and #NextLevel” mantra to assist him accomplish his wonderful dreams for Nigeria in the remaining four years.
    Therefore, the Groups resolved to impress it on President Buhari to constitute his 2019 cabinet that will only work for Nigeria and not for an ethnic group or religion or section of the country.
    The President should disregard ethnicity or religion in the consideration of the formation of his 2019 cabinet. He should shut his doors and ears to all ethnic and religious lobbyists and appoint competent Nigerian men and women, on merit to help him pilot the affairs of the nation.
        The President was also advised to apply the same yardstick in the constitution of chairmen and members of boards of federal agencies and parastaltals, which are the major support pillars to ministries in execution of government policies, programmes and projects. This Group is insistent that Nigeria should come first, as against any ethnicity or religion.
    Abuja Accord observed with dismay the shameful outings of some MDAs in the preceding years who returned unspent budgetary votes amounting to hundreds of billions of naira to government coffers at the end of fiscal years. This ugly scenario occurred even in MDAs covering sectors with severe developmental challenges; but whose heads were barren of initiatives to utilize the funds released to them to better the wellbeing of Nigerians.
    The President must be aware that the years 2019-2023 are the periods of fresh renewed hope as argued by Nigerians with his second mandate. And it behooves on him to shake-off all ungodly and distracting influences to redeem Nigeria from the clutches of people and sentiments which have tethered the country to the strings of servitude for decades.

  • Danjuma, Christian elders’ comment on Onnoghen betrayed  Jesus Christ’s virtue of honesty- MBCG*

    The Middle Belt Conscience Guard (MBCG) has chastised ex-Chief of Army Staff, General TY Danjuma and other Christian elders for their biased and un-Christian-like stand in the ongoing trial of embattled Chief Justice Walter Onnoghen.
    According to the group, these supposed Christian elders are not different from the biblical account of Peter, who betrayed Jesus Christ,  using hate speeches and campaign of calumny to instigate other Christians.
    Read full statement below;
    Ladies and Gentlemen of the Media.
    The leadership of the Middle Belt Conscience Guard’s (MBCG) delightedly welcomes you to this press conference. We appreciate and thank Almighty God for his grace, mercies and kindness unto us as a people and a nation these years.
    The MBCG is once again motivated to address you on an urgent national matter. We outing today is premised on the fact that the explosive issue at hand has the potential of throwing our country into serious national crisis which would be of dire consequences to peace, unity and security of our country.
    Nigerians would recall that a few days ago, elder statesmen and leaders of thought respectively,  under the banner of National Christian Elders Forum (NCEF) led by the trio of  former Minister of Defence, Lt. Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd), Gen. Joshua Dogonyaro (rtd) and former Governor of Old Anambra state,  Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, released a public statement titled “CJN Onnoghen: What is Really at Stake and the Way Out.”
    In the statement which oozed with hate speeches crafted to pitch Christians against Muslims in Nigeria also insanely and provocatively launched an unjustifiable attack against the administration of   President Muhammadu Buhari, and innuendos reference to other prominent Nigerians the group baptized with the hateful label  of  “Islamists” and imposed all manner of  resentful doctrines on  these personalities.
    MBCG realized from the resentful wordings of NCEF’s statement that the cause of current umbrage is the ongoing controversy surrounding the suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Walter Onnoghen by the President based on the Order of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), where he is standing trial over alleged breach of code of conduct for public officers in Nigeria.

    Read Also:INEC clears Sanwo-Olu, Kashamu, Ogah, others

    Our focus is not to explore the propriety or impropriety of the President’s action or the innocence or culpability of Justice Onnoghen’s over the alleged breaches of the law. The matter is already at the level of adjudication by lawful courts. Therefore, describing it as a “judicial coup,” by NCEF is preempting the verdict of the court and amounts to contempt of court.
    But we infinitely frown at NCEF’s brazen attempt at incitement of Nigerians against themselves and the negative profiling of Mr. President, veiled personalities, religious sects and ethnic groups in the efforts to explain their bitterness in public domain.
    As religious leaders, whether Christian, Islamic, traditionalists or even atheists, we have a sacred responsibility to always preach peaceful co-existence and harmony, as copiously admonished by the  doctrines and scriptures of the various religious sects. Christians particularly believe God fights their battles; it is not man.
    We therefore, find it strange that these elder statesmen, who have served this country in various capacities and for decades would condescend to such level of intolerance and immaturity in handling a perceived grievance.  We are compelled to conclude that they prefer to see this country in flames, than peace, which merely thinking about its possibility is very scary.
    The MBCG is appalled at the dexterous twisting of facts by  the NCEF’s leaders just to find justification for the evil preachments, which would be potent enough to incense perverse minds to  amplify the subsisting sectarian,  ethno-religious and  political   crises bedeviling Nigeria.  This is thoughtless.
    It is outrightly perfidious to infer or even claim a section of Nigeria, where the President Buhari hails is intent on truncating the country’s democracy and to enthrone Sharia as “national ideology,” because of the existence of recurring conflicts. Yes, these conflicts are “recurring” as they know, and it predates the Buhari Presidency. It smouldered stronger when a Christian, former President Goodluck Jonathan was at the helms of affairs leadership in Nigeria.
    Worse still, to classify President Buhari as belonging to the Salafist sect is equally baseless negative profiling, as the President is a known member of the Sunni sect, unknown to such Islamic extremism to the extent of imposing what NCEF described as “political Islam” on Nigeria.
    The Judiciary religiously, like other institutions of government strictly adheres to seniority in succession. There should be no furor or ill-feelings on the choice of Onnoghen’s successor in Acting capacity  because in the latest case of  suspended Justice Onnoghen, had the next senior  Supreme Court Justice to him been a Christian, he would have still stepped into CJN’s  shoes.
    Besides, the Buhari Presidency has pragmatically demonstrated aversion to threats to public peace and security by aberrational Islamic sects and extremists. The case of the Sheik Ibraheem EL-zakzaky-led Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) is a clear example.
    The NCEF cannot deny that Boko Haram, which later became monstrous and expanded unimaginable tentacles started under a Christian President in 2004, but he could not nip it in the bud.  The six years of the Jonathan Presidency amply energized the sect.
    It is undeniable that only under a Buhari Presidency that Nigerians are now experiencing any respite from Boko Haram insurgency. Can a clear conscience ascribe such a leader as bending undemocratic or Islamic agenda?
    What is built on falsehood hardly stands and it is ensnared by its own traps.  NCEF clearly overstretched its wisdom by claiming in August last year,  the Presidency planned a “coup” against the  National Assembly (NASS). It is an allusion to the leadership struggles in NASS. But the incumbent Senate President is a Muslim and ditto, the Speaker is a Christian. This has always been the composition.
    Or are Christians’ too,  part of NCEF’s so-called agents of the entrenchment of “Sharia ideology” in Nigeria?  It sounds funny and more like groping in the dark to cook reasons to heat up the polity and disrupt Nigeria’s peace and stability.
    And the worse of it all, MBCG observes with dismay, the transmogrification of NCEF into partisan lobbyists and agents or advocates of support/votes for Christian presidential candidates in 2019.  The forum stated inter alia,   “NCEF wishes to restate its commitment as Christian Elders to lend full prayerful support to Christian Presidential candidates….”
    Such utterances are disgraceful and unbefitting of elder statesmen of their status, irrespective of the forum of their assemblage. It is a flagrant disregard and abuse of extant laws to use ethnicity or religion for political campaigns. And it amazes that NCEF leaders are angling for compliance with tenets of liberal democracy and constitutionalism, yet freely make utterances which clearly undermine law and order,  the tripod upon which democracy flourishes’.
    Perhaps, NCEF may not know the gravity the statement above. But if any Islamic group in Nigeria makes such a statement in a scenario where two leading presidential contenders are from the same tribe and profess same religion, what would be the interpretation of NCEF or the Christian community in Nigeria? We must tread with caution!
    MBCG wishes to appeal to the conscience of the NCEF elders to be more circumspect when they make comments or air their grievances. No doubt, the NCEF public statement is swathed in hate speeches, inflammatory, condemnable and against the peaceful co-existence we all strive to entrench in Nigeria. The NCEF leaders should strive to be builders’, rather than destroyers!

  • NASS workers strike threatens 2109 budget presentation

    The presentation of the 2019 Appropriation Bill by President Muhammadu Buhari is under threat as National Assembly (NASS) workers are to commence a four-day warning industrial action from tomorrow, it emerged on Saturday.

    President Buhari had written to the leadership of National Assembly that he would be presenting the 2019 budget proposal to the joint session of the National Assembly at 11am on Wednesday, 19th December, 2018.

    The workers had to be placated last Tuesday by the leadership of the Senate and the House of Representatives to shelve their initial strike action after denying lawmakers access to the chambers while paralyzing all official duties that day.

    On the same day, the Clerk to the National Assembly, Muhammed Sani-Omolori in response to the workers demand, in a statement  heaped the blames on the Ministry of Finance that despite being on first line charge, inadequate release of budgetary  allocation makes it impossible for the implementation of the new salary regime for the workers, among other demands.

    The workers union, Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) however made a U-turn Saturday following the discovery of over N10b in the National Assembly’s Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) accounts.

    Read Also: NASS bye-election peaceful in Kwara

    The union, according to a source, who pleaded not to be named said it has become obvious that the management had no intention of fulfilling the agreement after a CBN letter dated 21 November, 2018 to the Clerk requesting confirmation to two external auditors, N10,455,891,967,43 in National Assembly’s T24 account number 0020168142065 (Statutory transfer).

    Signed by two CBN Directors, the National Assembly was asked to confirm if the information was in agreement with its records, while asking to provide further information that may assist in reconciling the differences, she added.

    However, in a leter to its members on Friday, the union said after its emergency meeting of 14th December, 2018, it has been decided that a warning strike would commence on Monday, 17th December, 2018.

    “By this notice, be kindly informed that the entire members of PASAN shall stay off their respective duties on the mentioned dates,” the memo stated.

    As at the time of filing this report, phone calls to the National Assembly’s Spokesman, Rawlins Agada and his House of Representatives counterpart, Abdulrazak Namdas over the development proved abortive as their lines were not available.

  • DStv subscribers demand pay-as-you-view billing system

    Digital Satellite Television (DStv) service subscribers in Nigeria are grumbling over the continued payment for services not rendered by MultiChoice, the major distance-to-home service provider in Nigeria.

    In separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Monday, DStv subscribers pleaded with the Federal Government to enact a law to compel MultiChoice to introduce “pay-as-you-view billing’’ system.

    The subscribers said that there was need for such billing system, as it would ensure value for subscription.

    Many of the subscribers complained of paying for what they did not get services for, saying that after several complaints, MultiChoice did not listen.

    Mr Uzochukwu Nwafor, a businessman said that MultiChoice was not considerate on how it was handling the issue of pay-as-you-view.

    “They need to put a regulation in place to help subscribers enjoy the money they paid to view the programmes.

    “With that (pay-as-you-view billing), we can save some money, I see subscribing to DStv programmes as a waste of money; it does not happen abroad or even in South Africa, ‘’ he said.

    Mr Silvanus Nwankwo, a civil servant, said that the National Assembly (NASS) was supposed to look into the operations of MultiChoice.

    “Many companies come to Nigeria and rip us off because our policies are not being implemented.

    “Again, DStv does not have serious competitors and that is why the company is behaving as it pleases.

    “The Pay-As-You-Go billing that telecommunications operators offer is supposed to be applicable to DStv,’’ he said.

    Nwankwo, however, said that the NASS should focus on the number of Nigerians that subscribed to the company’s service and insist on reducing prices of its bouquets.

    A Hip Hop Artiste, Ishmael Lawal, popularly known as ‘King Songo’ said that MultiChoice was defrauding Nigerians, as its decoder did not work properly.

    Lawal said that after subscription, he hardly watched the programmes because the signal was poor.

    He also said: “The company cuts off subscriptions two days before expiration, without warning.

    “Again, they keep repeating programmes, when one had paid to get new and trending programmes.’’

    Read Also: MultiChoice crashes DStv Explora price at Lagos fair

    A source at the Consumer Protection Council (CPC), who pleaded anonymity, said that the council had already taken MultiChoice to court over the issue.

    The source said that CPC received complaints from consumers against MultiChoice, among which was the refusal of the company to offer pay-as-you-view billing on both DStv and GOtv.

    The complaints included failure to receive signal after subscription paid; subscription disconnection prior to end of billing cycle with no credit applied for paid time lost; and lack of clarity in terms and conditions.

    Other complaints were: non-activation of free to air channels except when a consumer complained; and confusing toll-free customer care telephone channels.

    Others complaints were: arbitrary charges; confusing billing; blocking some channels already subscribed; poor picture or signal quality with excessive and un-compensated downtime during both inclement and clear weather conditions; and lack of responsiveness.

    Martin Maputo, the General Manager, Sales and Marketing, MultiChoice, said that for two months, the company would cut prices for its bouquets.

    Maputo said that MultiChoice wanted subscribers to enjoy the 2018 Christmas with their families, while enjoying music, food, movies, among others.

    According to him, this year’s Festive Together theme is: “It is a Good Time to Gather and There is no Place Like Home’’.

    “We want families to be together and watch different programmes on our DStv Sports, Wrestling, All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), Cross River Festivals, The Experience – a Church Programme with a lot of artistes playing.

    “Others are Akwa Ibom Christmas Carols Festival, Children’s programmes and cartoons, Miss Africa Pageant and others.

    “We want to use all these again to help raise funds for the less-privileged people, because they have no one to help them,’’ Maputo said.

    Maputo said that the new prices for some bouquets are – HD premium normal from N11,900 to N9,900; GOtv from N6,900 to N3,200, Explora from N52,000 to N29,900 and the Premium is N38,000.

  • Atiku to Reps: Why I want to contest

    …As lawmakers demand automatic return tickets

     

    The former Vice President of Nigeria, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar met with members of the House of Representatives under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Thursday night in the National Assembly (NASS).

    The caucus was led by the Deputy Minority Leader, Chukwuka Onyema.

    The PDP presidential candidate used the opportunity to acquaint the members of reasons for his ambition.

    Read Also:

    The former Vice President personally distributed his letter of intent to each member of the caucus and some reformed All Progressives Congress (rAPC).

    The letter reads in part: “After thorough consultations with my families,  major stakeholders within man outside the party including party stalwarts, traditional and religious leaders, various youths and women groups, the civil society and the private sector; I , Atiku Abubakar, wishbone inform you about my aspiration for the exalted office of the President of Federal Republic of Nigerian under the flagship of People’s Democratic Party (PDP)

    “As stipulated by the Party constitution and guidelines for nomination, it is mandatory that we go through the process of presidential  party primary election.

    “It is in line with this that I wish to humbly solicit your votes during this all important process.

    “I am in no doubt that with your support, in will emerge victorious amongst other candidates at the forthcoming Presidential primary election.

    “Together, we can liberate, repair and refocus our country Nigeria. Together, we can put Nigeria back inbred right pedestal. Together, we can get Nigeria working again”.

    The Deputy Minority Leader of the House, Hon. Chukwuka Onyema who spoke on behalf of the Minority leader, Leo Ogor, appreciated the candidate for the interactive session.

    He appreciated the consultation with the caucus as being an important part of the process.

    He however reminded Abubakar how important an automatic return ticket is to all the lawmakers.

    Though some of the lawmakers that included reformed All Progressives Congress (rAPC) wanted to ask questions, Onyema prevailed on them to shelve the questions since further meetings would take place even outside the NASS complex.

    He said: “We are happy that you already know the importance of legislators coming back as many times as possible and seeing our former leader Abdul Ningi who does not follow anyone that is going to fail.

    “In our usual way, we will look at this, go over it and come up with one voice. Any decision we take, we go together and try as much as possible to earn 100 percent”.

    Atiku left while the lawmakers stayed behind for more deliberation where Onyema was heard stressing the importance of a united decision.

  • Melaye: Falana asks NASS to domesticate UN’s standard for treating criminals

    Lawyer and activist, Femi Falana (SAN) has urged members of the National Assembly (NASS) to domesticate the United Nations (UN) Minimum Standard for the Treatment of Criminal Suspects in the country.

    He described the manner the Police arraigned the Senator in Abuja and Lokoja as “particularly degrading and humiliating” and “a breach of his fundamental rights”.

    In a statement issued in Lagos Thursday, Falana advised the law makers to take advantage of the opportunity provided by the travails of Senator Dina Melaye in adopting the law without further delay as part of the nation’s criminal justice reform.

    The statement is titled “Melaye’s case provides an opportunity to reform our criminal justice”.
    It stated: “the arraignment of Senator Dino Melaye in a stretcher in Abuja Thursday and Lokoja this morning is unacceptable in a civilised society.

    “It is particularly degrading and humiliating as it violates the fundamental right to the dignity of his person guaranteed by Section 34 of the Constitution and Section 7 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.

    “Even though the Senator has my sympathy, it is indistinguishable that he has only been given a little dose of the humiliating treatment that is daily meted out to the flotsam and jetsam of our unjust society by the Nigeria Police Force and other law enforcement agencies in Nigeria.

    “Therefore, the senator’s case should not be treated in isolation by the Senate and the bourgeois media.

    “While the solidarity of the federal legislators with Senator Melaye is understandable the tragic turn of events calls for sober reflection.

    “Apart from joining the call for the immediate release of Sheik Ibraheem Elzakzaky and Col.  Sambo Dasuki (retd) in line with the valid and subsisting orders of competent courts,
    the National Assembly is called upon to take advantage of Senator Melaye’s case to adopt and domesticate the United Nations Minimum Standard for the Treatment of Criminal Suspects in Nigeria without any delay,” he stated.

  • Impeachment: Take it easy – group tells NASS

    The Anti-Corruption and Research Based Data Initiative ( ARDI ) has appealed to the National Assembly ( NASS ) to show understanding over President Muhammadu Buhari’s alleged purchase of  $496 million aircraft from the U.S. without due process.

    Mr Dennis Aghanya, Executive Secretary of ARDI, told our correspondent in Lagos on Sunday that the president, as a human being, could make mistakes.

    He advised the legislators to avoid actions that would heat up the system.

    “The president’s only sin is that he did not seek the approval of NASS for the release of the fund; he did not embezzle it.

    “For anyone to think of impeachment process against him is not right.

    “We have many problems at hand. Violation of a constitutional provision is bad but it is worse to act in an immoral manner,” Aghanya said.

    The ARDI scribe said that Buhari’s regime was prosecuting a vital project – fighting corruption and insecurity – and might circumvent the provision of the constitution in some instances to succeed.

    He said that guidance or correction of the executive should not be with a sledge hammer.

    Aghanya claimed that the legislature had at some points also thrown caution to the wind to be able to achieve an aim.

    Aghanya said: “There is no doubt that Mr President erred in his approval and release of such magnitude of fund to place order for the controversial aircraft, but I prefer to view his actions from his intention rather than the technicalities associated with the process of releasing the fund.

    “He meant well and nobody can take away that fact.

    “We were all witnesses in this country where funds were appropriated and released and it was completely diverted and embezzled and nobody was questioned.

    “I must confess, however, that I am also happy that the National Assembly could be on top of its game by living up to its oversight function.”

    According to him, the beauty of every constitutional democracy is going by the rules as guided by the constitution of the country.

    Aghanaya said that all the arms of government must adhere strictly to the rules.

    “We will get over it; it is a gradual process. When our democracy matures very reasonably, we will not only impeach but will also start recalling legislators that have failed to live up to expectations.

    “Some governors, justices and legislators have done badly, but we are taking it calmly; that is the way it should go.

    “For those appearing on national television to justify this action of Mr President, I will disagree with them.

    Whatever is bad should be condemned and apologies rendered.

    “That is the only way we can continue to adjust in areas we have made mistakes and consolidate where we are getting it right.”

    NAN

  • NSE urges NASS to pass National Transport Commission bill into law

    The Kano State Chapter of the Nigerian Society of Engineers ( NSE ), has called on the National Assembly to pass into law, the bill for the establishment of National Transport Commission.

    The state NSE Chairman, Engr. Rabiu Haruna made the call on Saturday at a workshop to mark the 2018 World Day for Safety and Health at Work.

    The workshop with the theme ‘Safety as Key in National Infrastructural Development’, was organised to discuss issues of National development.

    He said that the focused areas are desert encroachment, road accidents and Environmental Safety.

    He explained that the establishment of the Commission will ensure regular monitoring of the high ways to reduce the rate of road accidents across the major roads in the country.

    “The Commission if established, will ensure the strict compliance of the road traffic laws beyond the function of the Federal Road Safety Corps ( FRSC ).

    “For over 10 years, the bill has not been passed into law by the National Assembly, I therefore called on them to revisit and pass it”, the NSE Chairman said.

    Haruna added that if it had been passed, the issue of road accident in Nigeria would have by now drastically reduced to the lowest level.

    The NSE Chairman also called on the Federal Government to revisit he issue for the establishment of the Commission through the necessary channels.

    According to him, the negligence of drivers, especially commercial vehicle drivers had contributed so much to the present bad condition of the major roads nationwide due to over loading.

    He appealed to road users, especially the tanker drivers and other articulated commercial vehicles to always obey the road traffic laws so as to reduce road traffic crashes.

    NAN