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  • National Assembly seeks peace, good governance

    National Assembly seeks peace, good governance

    DESPITE the time-table announced by the National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the general elections next year, politicians have been urged against jetissoning good governance for politicking.

    “It is too early for 2019 politicking to override the legislative agenda and the larger work of governance. We have begun a good thing with the recovery of the economy as the core of our agenda; let us see it to its proper conclusion”, Senate President Bukola Saraki told his colleagues at the upper chamber yesteday.

    In the Green Chamber, Yakubu Dogara said there are no sanctuaries anywhere in the country for killers and other hardened criminals who feed on the people’s blood.

    It was in their remarks at the resumption of the National Assembly in Abuja after the Christmas/New Year recess.

    The Senate President kicked against the heightening frenzy that has been trailing INEC’s announcement of the time-table earlier in the year. He warned that it was too early to sacrifice good governance and legislative works on the altar of 2019 politicking.

    Describing the lingering fuel scarcity in parts of the country as man-made, the Senate President spoke of the Red Chamber’s plan to unmask the mastermind.

    Saraki said: “Distinguished colleagues, it is my appeal to each and every one of us, that our legislative duty to Nigeria and her people must be uppermost in our minds.

    “We must not allow the upcoming 2019 elections to overshadow our work for the people that elected us – or distract us from that which we are mandated to do by the constitution and the trust reposed in us by the people.

    “We have begun a good thing with the economic core of our agenda; let us see it to its proper conclusion. It would be most insensitive to the needs of the people of this country if we were to do otherwise. I am directing this appeal not only to us in the chamber but to the National Assembly as a whole, as well as to the executive and indeed all political actors.

    “Many were on the queue for petrol; many households are grief-stricken. This mood of reflection is also one from which no lawmaker is immune; what affects one, affects all. When one part of the body is hurting, the whole body hurts, and this holds true for the entire nation.

    “We have all been witnesses to the hardships with which many Nigerians saw in the New Year, stuck on fuel queues tailing from petrol stations in many of our cities. It has been disheartening to see, especially during the festive period when Nigerians should have been enjoying carefree time with their loved ones, with enough petrol in their tanks to make that cherished journey to their various hometowns.

    “We, as representatives of the people, feel the pain of the people. Things being the way they were, we could not but respond to the crisis. I therefore had to direct members of the Senate Investigative Panel on Fuel Scarcity to cut short their recess to commence hearings into the lingering problem; and that work is ongoing. I commend the committee for their prompt response and the work carried out.

    “We seek the cooperation and understanding of Nigerians as we try to get to the bottom of this issue. My own estimation of the fuel scarcity phenomenon is that it is man-made. We thought we had left the problem of fuel queues firmly in the past in this country, but sadly, that appears not to be the case. In any event, there is a problem, and it must be solved. We await the findings of the Investigative Panel on Fuel Scarcity, firm in our resolve that whoever is responsible must pay the price for visiting this needless hardship upon our people.

    “You will agree with me that even more sober reflection attends the killings in some parts of the country, particularly recent tragic events in Benue State.

    “We condemn these killings in the strongest terms, and we declare that mindless bloodletting has no place in our society. I offer our sincerest condolences to the people of Benue, and indeed to all who have suffered the loss of their loved ones as a result of these wanton acts.

    “Human life is sacred. We state without equivocation that Nigerian life must become sacred. When we fail in our duty to protect Nigerian lives, it is a tragedy and an indictment on us all.

    “We as the Eighth Senate stand ready to help find solutions to assuage the hurt to affected parts, to bring the perpetrators to justice and to enthrone peace in all four corners of this country.”“There are no sanctuaries anywhere in the country for killers and other hardened criminals who feed on the blood of people. The solution to the mindless killings and bloodletting lies in the ability to shun buck passing. The government must live up to its responsibility of providing security for the lives of every Nigerian, irrespective of where they live”, Dogara said yesterday.

    Reacting to the killings in Rivers, Benue, Taraba, Kaduna, Zamfara, Adamawa, Edo and other states, the Speaker said that agents of destruction and destabilisation would no longer feel comfortable anywhere across the country.

    He reminded his colleagues that they as leaders, cannot afford fold their hands and pretend that “all is well” with the country.

    Dogara said: “We have a responsibility to all Nigerians regardless of creed or ethnicity in line with the constitutionally stated primary purpose of the government we serve in, which is securing the welfare including the lives and property of our people.

    “This we must do by ensuring that every law abiding Nigerian is protected where ever he chooses to live in the country and everyone who is up in arms against our citizens is quickly brought to justice where ever they are in the country. That there are no sanctuaries anywhere in the country for killers and other hardened criminals who feed on the blood of our people.

    “We are all painfully aware of the wave of murders of innocent Nigerians that has been sweeping through the nation. From the senseless killings in Rivers State, to the killing rampages in Benue, Taraba, Kaduna, Zamfara, Adamawa, Edo and other states; our dear country is now being painted red with the blood of the innocents on account of unremitting bedlam callously promoted by cold hearted merchants of death.

    “On behalf of the House of Representatives, I wish to convey our heartfelt condolences to the governments, people, and especially families of those who have lost loved ones in these primitive, mindless and despicable rounds of bloodletting across our dear country.

    “At these moments of intense outpouring of grief across the nation, it is important that we shun buck passing and accept responsibility for these wanton killings without which we will never find a solution to this evil.

    “We cannot afford to fold our hands and pretend that all is well with our country. We cannot throw up our hands in defeat. We have a responsibility to all Nigerians regardless of creed or ethnicity in line with the constitutionally stated primary purpose of the government we serve in, which is securing the welfare including the lives and property of our people.

    “This we must do by ensuring that every law abiding Nigerian is protected where ever he chooses to live in the country and everyone who is up in arms against our citizens is quickly brought to justice where ever they are in the country. That there are no sanctuaries anywhere in the country for killers and other hardened criminals who feed on the blood of our people.”

    The Speaker warned that no one or group should be allowed to foist the reign of tragedy and group polarisation on the country, saying that violence will never result in victories.

    According to him, parties should adopt democratic ways of addressing conflicts through compromise and consensus.

    He went on: “Those who pride themselves in violence must be reminded of the self-defeating nature of violence: the fact that violence only begets violence and that true victory has never been won by violence.

    “It was Mahatma Gandhi who delivered a timeless rebuke to the fools who worship brute force by reminding them that, “victory attained by violence is tantamount to a defeat for it is momentary.

    “We have to preach this message to our people who must not only accept the inevitability of conflict as well as the necessity for tolerance but must learn not to pursue conflict violently but democratically, in ways that result in compromise and consensus as the culture of democracy demands.”

    Expressing condolence to the government, people and victims of the attacks, Dogara said that President Muhammadu Buhari had briefed the National Assembly leadership on the steps being taken to contain killer herdsmen and other criminals who kill with impunity.

    He said that the measures, if applied as designed, will put an end to the sad incidents.

    On the issue of the alleged reintroduction of fuel subsidy and scarcity of the product, the Speaker charged the relevant committees of the House to unravel the causes and claims, saying “except the executive adduces compelling reasons the reverse is the case, it will amount to a betrayal to still pay subsidies after they had been assured that it had been ended.”

    He said: “We expected that with the legislative cooperation given to the executive arm to effect an increase in the fuel price from N87 per litre to N145, and based on their assurances, incidents of fuel scarcity would be a thing of the past.

    “We were also assured that fuel subsidy had come to an end. From recent developments on this subject, except the Executive adduces compelling reasons why the reverse is the case, we will be justified in feeling betrayed.

    “As parliamentarians, we must unravel the causes of this scarcity and the alleged re-introduction of fuel subsidy. I charge our relevant Committees to get to the root of these issues through the instrumentality of oversight to enable the House take an informed position on this totally undeserving precarious situation that our already overburdened citizens are subjected to. This has to be done with minimal delay.”

  • 2019: Don’t abandon governance for politicking, Saraki warns

    2019: Don’t abandon governance for politicking, Saraki warns

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, yesterday kicked against the heightening frenzy trailing the 2019 general elections.

    Saraki warned that it is too early for 2019 politicking to override the legislative agenda and larger work of governance.

    The Senate President gave the warning in his welcome address to Senators on their return from the Christmas and New Year recess.

    He described the lingering fuel scarcity in parts of the country as man made a situation the chamber was determined to get its root.

    Saraki said, “Distinguished colleagues, it is my appeal to each and every one of us, that our legislative duty to Nigeria and her people, must be uppermost in our minds. We must not allow the upcoming 2019 elections to overshadow our work for the people that elected us – or distract us from that which we are mandated to do by the constitution and the trust reposed in us by the people.

    “This is my appeal: it is too early for 2019 politicking to override the legislative agenda and the larger work of governance. We have begun a good thing with the economic core of our agenda; let us see it to its proper conclusion. It would be most insensitive to the needs of the people of this country if we were to do otherwise. I am directing this appeal not only to us in the chamber but to the National Assembly as a whole, as well as to the Executive and indeed all political actors.”

    “Many were on the queue for petrol; many households are grief-stricken. This mood of reflection is also one from which no lawmaker is immune; what affects one, affects all. When one part of the body is hurting, the whole body hurts, and this holds true for the entire nation.

    “We have all been witnesses to the hardships with which many Nigerians saw in the new year, stuck on fuel queues tailing from petrol stations in many of our cities. It has been disheartening to see, especially during the festive period when Nigerians should have been enjoying carefree time with their loved ones, with enough petrol in their tanks to make that cherished journey to their various hometowns.

    “We, as representatives of the people, feel the pain of the people. Things being the way they were, we could not but respond to the crisis. I therefore had to direct members of the Senate Investigative Panel on Fuel Scarcity to cut short their recess to commence hearings into the lingering problem; and that work is ongoing. I commend the committee for their prompt response and the work carried out.

    “We seek the cooperation and understanding of Nigerians as we try to get to the bottom of this issue. My own estimation of the fuel scarcity phenomenon is that it is man-made. We thought we had left the problem of fuel queues firmly in the past in this country, but sadly, that appears not to be the case. In any event, there is a problem, and it must be solved. We await the findings of the Investigative Panel on Fuel Scarcity, firm in our resolve that whoever is responsible must pay the price for visiting this needless hardship upon our people.

    “You will agree with me that even more sober reflection attends the killings in some parts of the country, particularly recent tragic events in Benue State. We condemn these killings in the strongest terms, and we declare that mindless bloodletting has no place in our society. I offer our sincerest condolences to the people of Benue, and indeed to all who have suffered the loss of their loved ones as a result of these wanton acts.

    “Human life is sacred. We state without equivocation that Nigerian life must become sacred. When we fail in our duty to protect Nigerian lives, it is a tragedy and an indictment on us all. We as the 8th Senate stand ready to help find solutions to assuage the hurt to affected parts, to bring the perpetrators to justice and to enthrone peace in all four corners of this country.

    “Let me state that the 8th Senate is disturbed by these unfortunate incidents, and we have been for some time. We were concerned enough to have inaugurated the Ad-Hoc Committee on Security in November of last year. And so it was that, with the shocking reports from Benue, Rivers and other places, the Security Committee members also cut short their recess to resume sitting, with a view to fast-tracking their investigations, in order to present an interim report for the Senate’s consideration immediately on resumption.

    “We are a people-oriented Senate, and I believe I speak for us all when I pledge that we shall continue to demonstrate similar dedication to our duties this year, as worthy representatives of the people who voted us into office.

    “The 8th Senate has continued its historic run, because by the end of 2017, we had passed 140 Bills over a period of 30 months. The landmark Economic Bills we passed, helped to propel the country’s emergence from recession, powering us upwards in the Ease of Doing Business Report. While the legislative feats of the year gone by shall go down in the annals of lawmaking in this country, what is also true is that we cannot lose momentum, nor can we afford to rest on our oars.

    “Going into the New Year, I can only wish each and every one of us the best as we prepare for the task ahead. It is a crucial year. As you all know, this, in all probability, will be the last productive year before we go into the 2019 electioneering period. Not only is there a need to up the ante in terms of productivity, it is important we keep our eyes on the big picture. Let us not be caught in the political fray before due season.

    “To each and every thing under the sun, its own time. This is Nigeria’s time. Let us devote ourselves to her service. It is therefore imperative that we speed up consideration on the various bills on which legislative work remains outstanding – particularly economic bills. Calling for similar attention are the other parts of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) related bills still to be passed, namely: the Petroleum Industry Fiscal Bill and the Petroleum Host Community Bill.

    “Let me opine that 2018 will be defined by the collaboration between the two chambers of the 8th National Assembly as regards the number of items due for concurrence. We must work to build on the very cordial relationship between the two chambers as witnessed so far, and elevate the level of cooperation, for the benefit of the people.

    “To this end, I urge you all to reach out to our counterparts in the House, so that we can fulfill the lawmaking function in the most expeditious manner. This will help streamline the process – and clear the way for the passing of various legislations – making for improved synergy and joined-up working between the two chambers.

    “Currently, distinguished colleagues, there are two major ongoing issues before us – namely the Constitutional Amendment process and the 2018 Appropriation Bill. It is encouraging to see that the Assemblies in the States have already started work on the Constitutional Amendment; I urge us all to keep a keen eye on developments on that front. With regard to the 2018 Budget, let me take this opportunity to give a word of encouragement to the Committee as they work to ensure the proper conduct of the process.

    “Once more, my distinguished colleagues, we are a people-oriented Senate. Nigerians already have a measure of who we are, particularly through our interventions and engagement in areas such as Job Creation and Youth Empowerment, the Welfare of Nigerian Students Overseas, and the Drug Abuse Epidemic ravaging through Nigerian Communities. We will not relent in our efforts in these arrears.

    “It bears reiterating that we cannot waste a moment of this year that rolls its boundless opportunities out for us. As the legislative arm of government, we must do everything we can to transform the developmental firmament of this country, to bring succour to the masses, and to leave our prints in the sands of time. There is really no other choice. The work is upon us. We can get it done.”

  • FCC Chairman wants synergy with NASS

    FCC Chairman wants synergy with NASS

    The Acting Chairman, Federal Character Commission (FCC), Dr Shettima Abba, has called for close synergy between the commission, governors, National Assembly ( NASS ) members and other stakeholders.

    This is contained in a statement issued on Monday by Mr Dipo Akinsola, Director, Public Affairs and Communication, FCC, Abuja.

    The acting chairman made the call at an engagement with the Senate Committee public hearing on FCC’s 2018 budget defence.

    Abba said this synergy was necessary in order to ensure that all anomalies in terms of under-representations are adequately addressed.

    He solicited for the assistance of the senators particularly from the states where the commission had no state officers to interface with the governors of those states.

    He said such collaboration would help the commission secure land to build its state offices, enable it meet its mandate of monitoring manpower, and even distribution of amenities and infrastructural facilities.

    The statement also quoted Abba debunking some media reports on Jan. 12 as telling the Senate Committee that Commissioners indulge in job racketeering.

    “The report was not true and did not represent what transpired at the Senate Committee hearing on the Federal Character Commission’s 2018 budget defence,’’ it said.

    It therefore advised the media to always seek for clarification before going to press, assuring that “our doors are always open’’.

    NAN

  • National Assembly, anti-NGO bill and authoritarianism

    National Assembly, anti-NGO bill and authoritarianism

    In this article, activist and law books author, Kolawole Olaniyan writes on the flaws in the anti-NGO bill.

    Nigeria’s National Assembly has turned its sights on NGOs, which are bracing for a crackdown in 2018. The Yakubu Dogara led House of Representatives is desperately pushing to pass the ‘NGO Regulatory Bill’, which many analysts have warned would stigmatise NGOs, and set Nigeria on course toward authoritarianism and oppression.

    The NGO bill is the latest in a series of measures tightening the democratic space, and deteriorating condition of the rule of law in the country. It has been extraordinary in the past two years or so to see how the National Assembly has taken a dim view of human rights. Our lawmakers, well paid for by tax-payers’ money to make laws for the peace, order and good governance of the Federation, are using their legislative powers to limit critical voices and shrink the democratic space.

    The tightening of controls is coming on the heels of the proposal by members of the House of Representatives to amend the constitution so that they could give themselves immunity. The bill, which in September 2017 was discussed at a public hearing, is sponsored by deputy majority leader Umar Buba Jubril.

    There is a litany of serious flaws in several of the 58 sections of the bill, and here are some of them: the bill would compel registration of NGOs (including those already registered under the Companies and Allied Matters Act); heavily criminalise non-compliance with its provisions (up to 18 months in prison); ensure full executive control over the licensing, funding and supervision of operations of NGOs through a Board appointed by the President and dominated by political representatives.

    The passing of the bill would have immense and enduring repercussions for the country. It would legitimise and normalise wrongful behaviour of public officials, threatening the rule of law and making the anticorruption efforts of the Buhari government all the more difficult. The bill would also undermine confidence in the National Assembly. That mistrust and suspicion can, in turn, have far-reaching consequences.

    As reprehensible as the armed Islamist group Boko Haram is, their actions cannot totally obliterate Nigeria. But if allowed to pass, the bill would peel away at human rights protections, and foster a rule by men rather the rule of law. It would take back through the backdoor citizens’ inalienable and fundamental human rights guaranteed under the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended) and Nigeria’s regional and international human rights obligations and commitments.

    The bill would seriously undermine the activities of people working to fight discrimination, improve health and education, and cut off the vital social and economic services provided by civil society groups, which can only exacerbate poverty, instability and insecurity in the country. It would create a climate conducive to self-censorship and political influence, and allow paid political activists to flourish.

    Prominent NGOs are likely to go underground, or go very quiet, as no one would want to rock the boat. All these, of course, would have a “chilling effect” on the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly, and introduce a cloud of fear in civil society circles.

    But what the lawmakers are failing to understand is that every time people have their rights taken away, all of us pay the price for it. If the human rights architecture is shut down and those, who speak truth to power and selflessly stand up for the rights of others are checkmated, no one will be there for the lawmakers when they themselves are stripped of some of their own rights and freedoms.

    Yet, as Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights put it: “Violations of human rights should not have to become so personal, for all of us to truly grasp their importance.”

    The House of Representatives’ focus on the NGO bill would seem to be a case of misplaced priority. If one may ask: What are the lawmakers doing to end violence against women, which remains widespread across the country? What are they doing to make laws to provide shelter to the thousands of children fleeing the conflict in the North-East? Or to get rid of homelessness, or improve our schools, hospitals, and roads?

    One ‘justification’ put forward by the proponents of the bill and a few supporters working hard to tickle the lawmakers’ ego is the blanket accusation—though without any iota of evidence—that NGOs and their operators engage in ‘shady and unethical practices’ and therefore must be ‘regulated’.

    One lawmaker said: “NGOs cannot be above the laws of the land. They must be regulated.”  A “human rights activist” even said, rather worryingly, that, “there is need for government to maintain control over these NGOs precisely because of their access to funds which needed to be accounted for”.  The activist would seem to be arguing that it is perfectly acceptable to stomp on citizens’ human rights.

    But the stark truth is that the bill is not about regulation: it’s crackdown on civil society, and it’s driven partly by the National Assembly’s obsession with control, but also by self-protection. It is also partly inspired by similar moves in kleptocracies and repressive countries.

    In fact, NGOs are already heavily regulated in Nigeria—be it under the Companies and Allied Matters Act or the criminal code (or penal code in the North) in cases of fraud, etc. Many NGOs also have already submitted financial reports, etc to their supporters, and many of these reports are accessible to the public. There are also plenty of institutions such as the Corporate Affairs Commission and the National Planning Commission charged with overseeing the operations of NGOs in the country.

    To attempt to add another layer of bureaucracy to the list of these institutions at a time when more than half of the 36 states of the Federation can’t even pay their workers’ salaries, is to say the least, reckless and unpatriotic. Those pushing the bill haven’t even told us how it would operate alongside the current laws guiding the operations of NGOs, or if, for example, the workers at the Corporate Affairs Commission would be retrenched.

    Proponents also point to how the bill excludes CSOs like religious bodies. Assuming their position is correct, they still have to tell us why the bill has to apply only to NGOs (part of CSOs), and why religious bodies (also part of CSOs) have to be excluded from the scope and operation of the bill.

    While attempt to differentiate NGOs from CSOs might make for good politics and public relations campaign, it shows a blatant lack of understanding of the notion of civil society by the lawmakers. Make no mistake about it: the passing of the bill would lead to the revocation of licences of not only NGOs, but also religious bodies and other similar CSOs. It would also have disastrous consequences for the daily lives of ordinary Nigerians and to society more broadly.

    Until the leadership of the House of Representatives drops the bill and strives to improve public trust in the National Assembly, their oft-repeated commitment to stand up for the country and the citizens will continue to echo a broken promise.

     

    • Kolawole Olaniyan, Ph.D is the author of Corruption and Human Rights Law in Africa.

     

     

  • Ex-ANAN Chief advises FG on early passage of 2018 budget

    Ex-ANAN Chief advises FG on early passage of 2018 budget

    Dr Samuel Nzekwe,  a former President, Association of National Accountants of Nigeria ( ANAN ) has advised the Federal Government to push for early passage of the 2018 budget.

    Nzekwe said in Ota, Ogun, on Wednesday that the early passage of the budget would facilitate rapid infrastructure  development.

    He urged the National Assembly to pass the budget on time to allow the government undertake massive infrastructure development in power, roads and rail sector in 2018.

    “There is the need for the Federal Government to work according to the budget so that it could achieve most of its goals in 2018. ” he added.

    Read also: 2018 budget: Expert advises Govt, NASS on early passage

    Nzekwe noted that the late passage of the 2017 budget led to the non payment of local contractors and imposing hardship on the people.

    The former ANAN president said that infrastructure deficit was the major problem facing the nation.

    “Stable power supply and other amenities are the backbone of any nation because no economy can thrive and move forward positively without infrastructure development. ” he said.

    Nzekwe also said that power supply was imperative for the nation’s industries to thrive and provide employment opportunities for youths in order to eradicate poverty in the country.

    The former ANAN boss, however, implored the government to formulate people’s-oriented policies that would benefit all Nigerians in 2018.

    NAN

  • LNG Act vs NNDC Act: How National Assembly saved the day

    LNG Act vs NNDC Act: How National Assembly saved the day

    Last month, between the Senate and the House of Representatives, though many Nigerians are not aware, a development occurred which created scare among the international oil and gas companies, particularly subscribers to the LNG project.

    Sometimes last June, Senators from the oil producing South-south geo-political zone protested during plenary that gas producing companies operating in their region are not contributing to the funds that Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) require for development efforts in the oil producing areas. They noted that, unlike oil companies, the gas producing companies are hiding under the pretense that they were not specifically mentioned in Section 14 of the NDDC Act which mandated oil producing companies to contribute three percent of their total annual budget into the coffers of the commission to evade making any contribution.

    While the Senate leadership promised to engage the gas producing companies and ensure that the grouse of their counterparts are redressed, the representatives of the oil producing communities in the House of Representatives decided to take a radical measure. They sponsored a bill to amend the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Act.

    In the amendment, they inserted a clause that the LNG company and other gas producing companies must pay not less than three percent of their annual total budget into the coffers of NNDC as their contributions to the fund. They also included that the percentage should be fixed by the Minister of Petroleum Resources as he may deem fit.

    The implication of the amendment into the LNG Act is that, unlike the situation of the oil companies as contained in the NDDC Act, the percentage of the budget of the gas companies to be contributed into the NDDC may be as high as 10 percent depending on the rate fixed in a particular year by the Minister.

    This realization rang a bell in the ears  of the gas companies. They quickly sent a delegation to the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki  and Speaker Yakubu Dogara seeking their intervention. They explain that the amendment to the LNG Act has grievous operation for the smooth operation of the LNG project and other gas companies and their ability to fulfill the contractual agreement which they have with international buyers of their products as well as the targets already set on the production, sale and development of the products.

    They also added that the uncertainty created by the flexibility of the funds to be contributed into the NDDC makes budgeting and planning difficult for them, a situation not good for their business. Saraki and Dogara, at a meeting with their colleagues during a joint leadership parley of both chambers in Saraki’s house considered the plea of the gas producers. It was then agreed that the House should step down the amendment bill on the LNG Act.

    Rather, it was agreed that both chambers should adopt the NDDC amendment bill which is already before the Senate seeking the inclusion of the gas producing companies in section 14 of the original Act. The section fix the percentage of the budget due to be paid by the oil companies. Thus, the Senate bill passed on Wednesday, November 29, 2017, amends the sub-section 2 (b) of the NDDC principal Act by substituting the existing words. The new provision reads that what will be contributed is 3 percent of – (i) “the total annual budget of any oil producing company operating onshore and offshore, in the Niger Delta area” and (ii) “the total annual budget of any gas processing company operating in the Niger Delta area, excluding the cost of feed gas”.

    With the passage of the NDDC (Establishment) Act 2000 (amendment) Bill 2017, the House has therefore dropped its amendment to the LNG Act. This is a credit to the good relationship between the two chambers of the 8th National Assembly. It also underscores the pro-business and pro-people stance of the present National Assembly, as they seek to balance between national interest and the need for key players in the economy to remain afloat and happy that their investments are not jeopardized by legislations and government policies.

    More important, the leadership of both chambers of the National Assembly have demonstrated their ability for prompt response to issue that affects their constituents and to always ensure that the nation and her people are not short-changed by multi-national companies operating in Nigeria.

    One therefore commend Senator Saraki, Rt. Hon. Dogara and their colleagues for rising to the occasion when necessary and for being able to carry along the people in ensuring that things go on seamlessly in the process of making necessary changes to the law, albeit in overall national interest.

     

    • Quassim is an Abuja based Legislative/Public Policy analyst
  • National Assembly will ensure full implementation of 2018 budget – Adepoju

    National Assembly will ensure full implementation of 2018 budget – Adepoju

    Hon. Sunday Adepoju (APC-Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency) on Saturday gave an assurance that  the National Assembly would ensure  full implementation of the 2018 budget.

    Adepoju told newsmen in Eruwa, headquarters of Ibarapa East Local Government of Oyo State, that the federal lawmakers would also strive to ensure prompt passage of the fiscal proposal.

    He said: “Budget is an estimation of expected expenditure from expected revenue. If expected revenue is not met, then the expected expenditure would not be met.

    “Though it is rare to see any country implementing  the budget 100 percent but we will ensure it is implemented fully to bring rapid economic recovery.

    “As a member of  the National Assembly, we are going to pass the budget quickly and will ensure that it is  fully implemented.

    “ If it is poorly implemented, it will affect every Nigerian,  including us,’’ he said.

    He expressed optimism that the nation would witness more economic development in 2018 than that experienced in the outgoing year.

    The two-term lawmaker stated that the present National Assembly had  improved rapidly in the discharge of its statutory functions.

    “Our relationship with the executive is very cordial as against the insinuations in the public domain.  We have only made the executive know that we are not rubber stamp.

    “We have only ensured that the principle of separation of powers is respected. With this, I can tell you that Nigeria’s democracy is taking shape,’’ he said.

    Adepoju also said that the anti-corruption crusade of President Muhammadu Buhari had drastically reduced the scourge.

    “I can’t say because APC is my party, everything is rosy. The president is trying, that I can proudly say.

    “ I think the president has slowed down due to his health challenges and judicial process.

    “In Nigeria, we have lawyers who are ready to paint white as black in the public. It is left for Nigerians and the media to expose them,’’ he added.

    The lawmaker, who  dismissed  insinuations of  a cold relationship between the president  and a  leader of the APC,  Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, said  that the party would win convincingly in the 2019 general elections.

    “Nigerians gave us the mandate in 2015 to return the country to its glorious path and they have never told us that they are tired of us.

    “The only thing I know is that things are not working as expected but we all know that the damage  of 16 years is not something that could be fixed in just two years.

    “In Nigeria, the economic and political systems  have  been battered. Our psyche has been affected but today our orientation is beginning to change.

    “Today, our people are now experiencing development in Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Osun and some other states,’’ he said.

    Also read :  Ahmed signs N190b 2018 budget into law

     

  • Crisis: Senate threatens to dump 2018 budget

    Crisis: Senate threatens to dump 2018 budget

    Nigerians may not have heard the last about the passage of the 2018 budget presented to a joint session of the National Assembly by President Muhammadu Buhari on November 7.

    Senators in plenary Tuesday threatened to dump the fiscal estimate over alleged inconsistencies and abysmal performance of the 2017 budget.

    The lawmakers took turns to criticize the performance of the 2017 budget, taking cognizance of what they called extremely low releases by the Ministry of Finance to fund projected capital projects.

    They insisted that the promised passaged of the 2018 budget before the end of the year was no longer feasible.

    The senators said that the promise by President Buhari that 40 per cent of the 2017 budget would be achieved before the end of the year while remaining the balance of 60 per cent would be rolled over to 2018, has not be adhered to.

    The lawmakers were particularly irked by the observation that Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), only attained 15-20 per cent 2017 budget performance.

    This, they said, was despite repeated assurances by the executive arm that improvement in releases of funds will be made.

    Most MDAs, they said, were yet to receive funds to pay salaries and as well as fund other recurrent components of the 2017 budget.

    For them, the declaration by the Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, that N750 billion had been released, remained questionable.

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki’s intervention saved the day as no resolution was taken at the end lengthy debate on the performance of the 2017 budget.

    Many of those who contributed to the debate wanted the lifespan of the 2017 budget to be extended to  31st of March, 2018.

    It was the opinion of the speakers that until the 2017 budget attained a high level of performance, the implementation of the budget should not be truncated by the passage of the 2018 budget.

    The debate of the performance of the 2017 budget followed a closed door session where the lawmakers were also said to have bared their minds.

    Although Saraki broached the issue of what really transpired at the closed session, Deputy Senate Leader, Bala Ibn Na’Allah raised a point of order.

    Na’Allah cited Order 42 and 45 of the Senate Standing Rules to buttress his point.

    The Kebbi South lawmaker told his colleagues that the plan to pass the 2018 budget before the end of 2017 was no longer feasible due to prevailing circumstances.

    He warned that the prevailing template of the budget will continue to pose serious challenges to the Federal Government in the implementation of the budget.

    Na’Allah noted that the template was developed and adopted during the Military era specifically when Kalu Idika Kalu was Finance minister.

    He said that issue should be extensively discussed in order to proffer solutions.

    Na’Allah said: “I feel that there are certain aspects that the Senate has so many things to discuss. When we suspended the plenary for two weeks, the intention was to enable committees work. They are supposed to report progress in order to enable the Senate pass the budget before the end of the year or early next year.

    “When we suspended plenary, it was with the idea that the committees will swing into action so we can have a tentative date to pass the budget. From what I have seen, we might run into troubled waters. If we have not appreciated what the problems are, it is important for Nigerians to come here and understand what the problem is.

    “The template we are using will continue to create problems for us. It was created during the Military era. The template cannot work in our country today. From reports we have had, it is obvious that we have problems. We need to know what the problems are. If we have a 2017 budget that has not been executed today and we are considering the 2018 budget, it means there is a problem.

    “The President told us that the 2017 budget was going to achieve at least 60 per cent performance. Today, that has not happened. We need to lay this issue and discuss it. Let us put the facts before the Executive and show Nigerians the difficulties we are facing.”

    Senator Barnabas Gemade, in his contribution suggested that the consideration of the 2018 budget be suspended.

    He also suggested that the lifespan of the 2017 budget be extended to end of March of 2018.

    Gemade said, “This point of order raised is important because of what the public is waiting for. Our two weeks committee work should have led us to where we will lay the report and pass the budget. As was indicted, we need to appreciate the efforts of the executive who is trying to return the budget year from January to December.

    “What we have seen is far from the 40 per cent capital project implementation we were told. In many MDAs, budget performance is hovering between 12 to 15 per cent. In early November, the borrowing plans were brought and we approved it. They said they were going to release more funds. As of now, we cannot say if that is true.

    “In defending the budget, MDAs are supposed to bring their 2017 budget performance to committees. When you look at the budget proposals brought here, many things captured in the 2017 budget were not rolled over. Committees and MDAs need to do some work.

    “We have to set a date for the implementation of the 2017 budget based on the borrowing plans we approved. I therefore propose that we set March 31st for the 2017 budget to be implemented before we can start working on the 2018 budget. We need to guide against abandonment of ongoing projects.”

    Senator Solomon Adeola wondered why the Senate should consider and approve the 2018 budget, when the performance of the 2017 budget is unknown.

    The Lagos West senator prayed the Senate to invite the Minister of Finance, Mrs Adeosun to brief the chamber on the troubling low performance of the budget and why her Ministry is not releasing funds.

    Adeola said, “How can we approve the 2018 budget without knowing the performance of 2017 budget? This is abnormal. From the recent budget defences, it is obvious that MDAs are not ready. Year in, year out, the budget performance is low. Last week, a Minister was asked to excuse lawmakers because he did come prepared. He did not come with the necessary documents to defend the budget of his Ministry.

    “We need to show to Nigerians that the National Assembly is ready to approve the budget. Remember that the President during the presentation of the 2018 budget, said the performance of the 2017 budget will attain at least 40 per cent. But that has not been done. I am suggesting that we invite the Minister of Finance to brief us on the performance of the 2017 budget. We need to be told.

    “Remember how the Executive submitted the MTEF and withdrew it again. It submitted it and withdrew it again. It shows the lack of seriousness on the part of economic managers of the country.”

    Chairman, Senate Committee on Public Account, Senator Matthew Urhoghide, noted that the consideration of the 2018 budget be suspended, pending when the 2017 budget will attain appreciable level of performance.

    He said, “I want to say that the budget of 2018 is already bedeviled. For us to be able to determine the 2018, we need to see the performance of 2017. Many MDAs are complaining that what they are getting for recurrent expenditure is not even for them. More worrisome is the capital expenditure.

    “Last week, the Minister of Finance announced that N750 billion had been released. If this money has been released, MDAs are yet to get this money. With the envelope budgeting they are doing, we do not know what has been given to MDAs.

    “I want to say that every consideration about the 2018 budget should be put at bay. This executive is not serious. Let them tell us what they have done with the 2017 budget. The budget presentation is an annual ritual that is not benefiting anybody,” he said.

    Senator Mohammed Hassan, (Yobe South) proposed the setting up of a technical committee to come up with a standard format on how to handle the 2018 budget.

    He specifically listed the inclusion of N8.5 billion in the budget of Ministry of Power for counterpart funding of the Mambila Power projected when the National Assembly had already approved a loan of $5.5 billion for the presidency.

    He noted that the Senate was told that part of the $5.5 billion loan would be used for the counterpart funding of the Mambila power project.

    Hassan said: “Many of us have been made to do the work of the executive. We need to set up a small technical committee to come up with a standard format on how to handle the 2018 budget. It is very important to do that.”

    Senator Dino Melaye, on his part, described the 2018 budget as a ‘boju boju’ document.

    The Kogi West lawmaker said that it was obvious that the 2018 budget proposal was “garnished with deception.”

    He stated: “The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, said during the budget presentation that the 2017 budget will be rolled over. I took the 2017 budget and went through it page by page. There is no relationship between the two documents. The budget we received was a ‘boju boju’ budget. Why do we package a 2018 budget that was garnished with deception”

    “There is about N850 trillion with the CBN. There is an outstanding of N1.5 trillion from collection of stamp duties with the CBN. This money has not been remitted. Yet we took over N2 trillion loan. We need to strengthen the office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.

    “The NNPC was supposed to remit hundreds of billions of naira last year. They did not do that. Yet, we say we are fighting corruption. We cannot continue in sin and ask grace to abound. The issue of discussing the 2018 budget should not even arise.

    “Enough is enough. We must ensure that the 2017 budget is properly implemented. We must ensure that the budget is an elitist. What they have brought to us is a just a proposal. We need to give Nigerians a budget that will benefit Nigerians.”

    Saraki who did not subject the points and proposal made to vote noted that if the executive refused to act, by rolling over the 2017 budget as promised, it will be a disaster.

    Saraki added that lawmakers are not magicians.

    He said, “Truly, it is very disheartening and disappointing because we know how much we have put into the budget process. How can anybody who is responsible travel at this period when the budget defence is ongoing?

    “The budget has not been implemented. We cannot be magicians. We just have to work and give a good budget to Nigerians. The executive really needs to sit up. If they have refused to roll over the 2017 projects into 2018, it is a disaster. We have to work with what we have.”

  • NASS to support local government autonomy

    NASS to support local government autonomy

    Speaker House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara, on Tuesday in Abuja said the National Assembly was committed to ensuring that local government administration in the country got autonomy.

    He made this known at the Retreat of the Secretary to Government of the Federation ( SGF ) and Secretaries to State Governments ( SSGs ).

    Represented Chief Whip of the House, Mr Ado Doguwa, he spoke on “Local Government Autonomy: Imperative for Sustainable Grassroots Development’’, said autonomy was the right for local governments to operate independently.

    He said that autonomy for the councils was essential for development to get to the grassroots.

    “As long as we want development to get to the door-step of our people, the autonomy is necessary.

    “This is the institutional position of the national assembly in line with the provisions of the law.

    “The national assembly will continue to remain resolute to ensure that local government autonomy is achieved in Nigeria.

    “We will continue to take advantage of the legislative right given to us to ensure that local government autonomy is realised.

    “The local government chairmen are in bondage inflicted on them by the governors and this bondage must be released to ensure development at the grassroots level,’’ he said.

    According to the speaker, the state governments abuse the Constitution in relation to the Joint Account, which they are meant to be mere trustees and not beneficiaries.

    Read also: How local government can get autonomy, by Oyo Speaker

    He explained that state governments took over the joint account meant for the state and the local government.

    “The state government which are believed to be mature must be seen to be doing exactly what the Constitution has stipulated in relation to the joint account.

    “If this is not done, the right thing will not be achieved.’’

    Dogara commended the SGF, Mr Boss Mustapha, for resuscitating the retreat.

    Earlier, Mr Ibrahim Khaleed, President, Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees ( NULGE ), had said that rural-urban migration would greatly be addressed through the actualisation of local government autonomy.

    Khaleed added that local government was a critical tier in government, and that some constitutional reforms must be made to bridge the gap between the government and the people.

    According to him, the local government system in Nigeria has been destroyed and the essence of local government establishment is not achieved.

    “Local government was established to bring development to the citizens at the local area, but the system has completely been bastardised and the essence of its establishment has not been achieved.

    “We are advocating for autonomy not because of increase in wages or welfare for staff but to make sure we contribute our quota in national development.

    “The local government system in the United States of America is one of the best and it is independent,’’ Khaleed said.

    NAN

  • Unwieldy parties: INEC may seek fresh peg from National Assembly

    Unwieldy parties: INEC may seek fresh peg from National Assembly

    •Increasing number has high cost implications for poll, says commission

    THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) may seek the intervention of the National Assembly to enact a law to limit the number of registered political parties to a manageable size.

    It was learnt that INEC is worried over the nation’s unwieldy registered parties, which have risen to 67.

    The commission had last week registered 21 parties out of 115 applications for registration by prospective parties, leaving 94 outstanding for processing.

    According to a National Commissioner, who spoke in confidence, the unwieldy number of parties is now a source of concern to INEC.

    “From the way we are going, we need to apply legal control on the formation and registration of political parties in this country. We should think outside the box for the way out.

    “So far, INEC has registered 67 parties. This number is unwieldy for general election. The more we have parties, the more the cost of election goes up. With paucity of funds, we cannot afford the luxury of having uncontrolled number of parties.

    “Even if we go full hog for electronic voting, we will still have paper trail with a huge cost too. The unwieldy number of parties is at a cost to the electorate, who will spend much time locating the parties to vote for.

    “And the law is fluid; INEC is mandated to register parties at least six months to the general election. As an electoral agency, you may base your projection on a number of parties and new registration can alter your plans.

    “On our part in INEC, we have our relevant committees in the Senate and the House of Representatives. We have interrogated them and ask the National Assembly to revisit the laws on party registration for a tidier electoral system guided by the Electoral Act.

    “This is where we should be heading to. We need some control. It is left to the National Assembly to make laws on this control if it thinks party system should be managed well.”

    The source added: “We have about 94 pending applications from associations seeking to be political parties. By implications, we may still register more parties before the 2019 general elections.

    “The latest 21 registered parties were among the 115 pending applications before INEC. We are hamstrung by the law; we cannot reject the applications of associations seeking to be parties as long as they have met the basic requirements.

    “It is therefore very easy to register parties in Nigeria with cash backing of N1million.”

    Sections 221 and 222 of the 1999 Constitution on party registration state as follows: “No association, other than a political party, shall canvass for votes for any candidate at any election or contribute to the funds of any political party or to the election expenses of any candidate at an election.”

    Section 78 of the Electoral Act says in part: “A political association that complies with the provisions of the Constitution and this Act for the purposes of registration shall be registered as a political party provided that such application for registration as a political party shall be duly submitted to the commission not later than six (6) before a general election.

    “A political association that meets the conditions stipulated in the Constitution and this Act shall be registered by the commission within 30 days from the date of the receipt of the application and if after the 30 days such association is not registered by the commission unless the commission informs the association to the contrary, it shall be deemed to have been registered.”