The Nation Newspaper

Tag: national assembly

NEMA DG appeals to NASS to amend agency’s act

Mr Mustapha Maihaja, Director General, National Emergency Management Agency ( NEMA ), has appealed to the National Assembly to pass the bill seeking to amend the act establishing the Agency.

He made the appeal in a statement signed by Mr Sani Datti, Head of Media and Public Relations, NEMA, on Monday in Abuja.

Maihaja said that he was appealing for the amendment on the agency’s act in order to improve on the working conditions of the staff and enhance effective disaster management in the country.

He was said to have made the appeal at the National Assembly when he led the management of the agency to the House of Representatives’ Committee on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness in Abuja.

Maihaja told the committee that the misunderstanding between the management and union had been resolved, saying that it was not the wish of the management to allow such matters to degenerate into strike action.

The director-general added that some of the issues in the disputes could be properly handled with the amendment to the NEMA establishment Act.

He appreciated the concerns of the Committee members and thanked the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige for intervening in resolving the issues.

Datti said that the meeting was at the instance of the committee, which had invited the NEMA management and its staff union leaders to resolve the recent industrial disputes that resulted in a one day strike by the staff on Thursday.

NAN

October 24, 2017
Telecoms Firms shun Reps Panel over legality of consultants

The probe by the ad hoc committee investigating the administrative/operational procedure of Telecommunications Companies in Nigeria and assessing their tax compliance status, has run into a hitch.
This because some of the Telecoms firms have shunned invitation by the consultants engaged by the committee to reconcile the over N5 billion quoted in its interim report as taxes payable to the government.

The telecommunications companies have questioned the committee’s legal right in directing them to third parties after the conclusion of the investigation.

The are reluctant to open their books to a private firm beyond National Assembly complex, which is to part of the committee in the name of reconciliation of tax figures.

Hon. Ahmed Abu, Chairman of the committee, had in a later dated 5th October 2017 directed the telecommunications companies to reconcile figures quoted in the committee’s report with consultants at a location within Abuja on or before Friday 20th October.

However, The Nation discovered that operators like MTN-Nigeria and Airtel and other vendors were uncomfortable with the committee’s instruction even as they denied allegations of tax evasion amounting to billions of Naira as reflected in the report of the panel.

The report states that telecommunications operators and vendors have allegedly evaded taxes of over N5 billion due to government

According to the report, Ericsson is due to pay N1, 056,735, 665.77, HUAWEI 725,889,456.75, Airtel N875, 111,895.50, Glo 1, 243,337,001.34, MTN 943,889,454.61, Nokia, N272, 209, 514.

Because the telecoms firms see the development as unconventional, they have refused to visit the consultants.

One of the operators’ representatives who pleaded anonymity, in a chat with reporters, said contrary to the directive of the panel to reconcile figures with the consultants, the question of the legality and appropriateness of such action stopped them from doing it.

To him, it was wrong to expose them to consultants when the entire House ought to have ratified the report. Leaving it in the hands of consultants makes them vulnerable to fraud.

His words: “This is suspicious, we appeared before the ad hoc committee during the investigation, surprisingly, the committee after concluding it’s investigation directed us to meet with its consultants outside the National Assembly to reconcile figures.

“We do not feel this is right and we don’t want to be accused of trying to manipulate the system. The committee should come up with its recommendations and we shall be ready to present our position, even in the court of law. We are not in any tax evading business.”

An invitation letter to one of the telecoms company obtained by our reporter reads: “our letter referenced. NASS/HAA/081/09/17, dated 19th September 2017 refers. We attach herewith our interim report with details of how the liability of MTN 943,889,454.61, communicated to you in our letter under reference was arrived at.

“It is pertinent to restate that the Federal Government of Nigeria, through the House of Representatives await the report of the Ad Hoc committee to enable them take important decisions. Consequently you are requested to contact consultants /auditors and reconcile the figures with them on or before 20th October 2017, at Solomon Lar Way, Utako Abuja.

“Kindly be informed that if at the close of business on the 20th October 2017, the committee does not hear from you, the report will become the final report and the amount will become due and payable to the Federal Government of Nigeria.”

Recall that the committee was constituted to investigate “the administrative/ operational procedure of the companies and assessing their tax compliance status, and to also examine the parameters and procedures used by the Nigerian Communications Commission and the Central Bank of Nigeria in approving funds transfers for these companies amongst other issues.

October 23, 2017
Senator tells ICAN to partner with National Assembly

CHAIRMAN, Senate Committee on Local Content Senator Solomon Adeola has urged the President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria,( ICAN), Alhaji Ismaila Zakari and other members of the ICAN national council to initiate collaborative effort with the National Assembly for its institutional growth in the interest of the accountancy profession and the nation.

In a goodwill message at a Gala Night to mark the 47th Annual Conference of ICAN at International Conference Centre, Abuja over the weekend, the Lagos West representative said there are about 40 members of ICAN in the 8th National Assembly.

Adeola, in a statement by his media aide Kayode Odunaro, noted that ICAN should not find it difficult to canvass its position on matters relating to the accountancy profession and other accounting issues of importance to national growth.

“I am a professional in politics like Gombe State Governor Alhaji Ibrahim Dankwambo. The institute should see us as their representatives in politics. There are many accounting issues that come up on the floor of both chambers of the National Assembly, including attempts to smuggle in rival accounting bodies through legislation.

“As members of the institute, we need the official position of the institutes on most of these issues which can be adequately canvassed by members of the institute in the National Assembly,” the Fellow of ICAN stated.

Adeola regretted that most of the time members of the institute had to scramble to kill ongoing consideration of bills proposing rival accounting organisations on the floor of the chambers without inputs from the institute.

He added that a proliferation of accounting bodies in Nigeria will not augur well for the profession and its standing internationally, particularly in the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC).

October 23, 2017
Dalung appeals for funds for W/Cup , Commonwealth, others

Borne out of the determination to make a statement at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, the Minister of Youth and Sports Barrister Solomon Dalung has appealed to the National Assembly to appropriate sufficient funds for sports in the 2018 budget.

The Minister reasoned that for any meaningful success to be recorded by Nigerian athletes at the world stage in a busy 2018 calendar headlined by the Commonwealth Games, the FIFA World Cup and the FIBA World Cup for women in Spain, there must be adequate funding.

“We all know that the recent success of the Super Eagles who recently booked a 2018 Russia World Cup ticket was as a result of direct support from President Mohammadu Buhari who had to personally intervene at critical times during the qualification campaigns.”

Barrister Dalung said that the process of running to the President at every slightest opportunity for financial intervention for sports may be difficult to sustain at the long run considering the numerous international sporting events lined up for 2018.

In proffering solutions, the Minister announced that a fundraise dinner will soon be held.

“A stakeholders dinner which will also include the National Assembly, state governments and all other concerned sports stakeholders will be organized soon to chart a new course of action for our participation at the World Cup.”

With many stakeholders calling for early World Cup preparations for the mundial, Dalung said that it may be an impossible task if something urgent is not done to raise the needed funds.

“In fact, let’s not be deceived. There was no budgetary allocation for the Super Eagles preparation for the 2018 World Cup in the 2017 budget.”

He tasked the House Committee to key into the vision of the Ministry of seeing a well prepared Super Eagles take on the world as a major player in Africa and world football.

“We are not going as mere participants but as contenders with a new vision, culture and tradition of modern soccer and a determination to make an impact at the World Cup.

“With sports being a tool for effective service delivery which is capital intensive, it is imperative to have sufficient funds available to support every stage of the preparation in other to make a successful impact in Russia.

“By this token, I’m passionately appealing to NASS to support our participation by appropriating sufficient funds to sports in the budget next year and thereafter.”

Speaking further, the Minister said that wIthout sufficient funding, all efforts to make an impact at the global stage in 2018 may be a mission impossible.

“The significance of sports in National development cannot be over emphasized, therefore, all stakeholders including state governments must rise to this clarion call of repositioning sports for the benefit of the youths.

“We are committed and we shall do everything possible to promote the image and integrity of Nigeria,” Dalung concluded.

October 15, 2017
2018 budget ready for submission to NASS – Minister

The Executive has concluded plans to submit the 2018 budget to the National Assembly before the end of this month.

This disclosure was made by the minister of state for Budget and National Planning Hajia Zainab Mohammed at a press briefing to mark the end of the 23rd Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja Thursday.

Hajia Zainab Mohammed said the prepared 2018 budget will be presented to President Muhammadu Buhari shortly for the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approval before the budget is finally transmitted to the National Assembly.

“We are working closely with the legislature. We want to ensure the budget is passed in December so that it start to work from January 2018” she said.

Zainab Mohammed who was silent on when the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) will be presented to the National Assembly said she was optimistic that the 2018 budget will passed in time to meet the January commencement of the fiscal year as planned.

The MTEF is supposed to be submitted to the legislature months before the budget but with the minister’s revelation that the budget will be submitted this month, it is unclear if the budgeting process will not be thrown into another controversy.

The MTEF is supposed to guide the legislators in passing the main budget and pointing them in the general direction of government’s fiscal activities for the coming three years.

Speaking on the power sector tariff crisis, Zainab Mohammed stated that “it is clear no new investor will come without tidying the issue tariff adjustment. They insist the current tariff is not sustainable but the new tariff will be a joint agreement with all stakeholders.”

The Federal Government she said “will carry out another privatisation exercise for the power sector because what we sought to achieve by the previous privatisation has not been achieved. It has not worked well.”

According to her, “government is still a shareholder in the current arrangement and so we want to call all existing stakeholders to the table and agree on way forward. We will agree on the level of shareholding and other issues so that this power issue can be addressed once and for all.”
Power she said “is key to economic development and it is something the government is determined to ensure it works.”

On private sector players’ worry that government heavy local borrowing has crippled banks’ ability to lend to them, the Minister said “the government will reduce local borrowing for private sector to get adequate credit to operate.”

Regarding recommendations aggregated for the successful execution of the government’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP), she said: “We will review them and we have said the functional economic laboratories will be set up across the country in two weeks from now. We are not waiting for months. It is part of the recommendations.”

An issue that generated a lot talk at the summit was the multitude of bills pending before the National Assembly which if passed will accelerate economic growth. Zainab Mohammed on her part said “there are pending bills and we always try to carry out economic impact on them. For instance, the Competition Bill has the capacity to create 381,000 jobs annually, generate revenue of N148.3 billion yearly. It will also lead to a 10 per cent reduction in price of goods.”

“For the National Transportation Commission Bill, it will also boost job creation and government revenue”.

Despite these positive outlook, the bills have been pending in both chambers of the National Assembly for years.

October 12, 2017
Restructuring: Only N/Assembly has the power – Dogara

…APC True Federalism’s report ready October Ending- El-Rufai

Only the National Assembly has the power to restructure the country, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara said Tuesday.

According to Dogara the Legislature is the only institution mandated to enact laws for the country and the President as the head of the Executive is to implement the laws made by the National Assembly.

Dogara who spoke during a courtesy call by the Nasir El-Rufai led All Progressives Congress, APC Committee on True Federalism said that in spite of the powers of the President,

This was as El- Rufai disclosed that his committee’s report would be submitted to the party by the end of October.

El- Rufai told the House Leadership that their visit is to brief the House on the details of their assignment.

The Speaker said in line with the powers conferred on it by the constitution, the House has gone ahead to constitute a Committee to address the issue of political agitations in the country.

The committee, he said, is non- partisan and necessary to douse tension in the country and in line with the statements of the President that only the National Assembly has a solution to the agitations of the people across the country.

His words: “When the President talked about the National Assembly being the proper forum for this discussion, so many people objected to that. Even some senior advocates who think that the President could just sit and restructure the country. But I know the President uses green pen not a red pen that I use. I don’t know whether by any stroke of imagination or margin a green pen can actually restructure Nigeria.

“If that is the case it is a very simple thing that can be done, but unfortunately, most of the things that we talked about, most of the issues that are being raised are there in the foundational document of this country, the grand norm which is the Constitution.

“And even going by elementary description of the departments of governments, the Executive cannot make laws, they cannot tinker with the provision of the Constitution. It is the National Assembly that must do that.

“I guess even if the President has powers, his powers would just amount to recommendations in the form of an executive bill which he can send to the National Assembly for constitutional alteration or amendment in other to address the fundamental basis of some of these agitations.

” I concur with him totally that this is the right forum where the outcomes of those debates would be channeled for processing and for action. I know that we won’t let this country down when it comes to performing our responsibilities because this is the institution that represents the people.”

The Chairman of APC Committee, El-Rufai in his remarks noted that restructuring was part of the APC manifesto adding that there were unbalances in the federation structurally and politically.

While agreeing that the House did the right thing by nominating members into the committee on political agitations, he said the Senate is expected to do same and that the Senate President had been written by his committee in that regard.

Submissions, he said, had already been made to the State Houses of Assembly and that other steps had been taken in a bid to achieve success in the committee’s assignment.

His words: “We are here as the APC committee on federalism to pay you a courtesy call and give you a brief background on the assignment the party has entrusted on us.

“The APC in its manifesto made very firm commitment towards devolution of power true federalism which is variously referred to restructuring as so on. However, because of other challenges, the administration had to deal with on assumption of office, the expeditious implementation of some of these commitments has not occurred.

“I am proud to say that the National Assembly led by APC went ahead with the constitutional amendment to make our federation be better balanced. We all recognized there is some imbalance in our federation. This is why our party is committed to do something about it. However, it is better late than never.

“We have already taken steps which are now before the State Houses of Assembly. We believe in the history of Nigeria, there has never been a comprehensive discussion on what is before us: federalism, restructuring and so on. We also believe even the debate and discussions in previous national conference has excluded key stakeholders particularly our young people that account for 80% of our population.

“We believe ultimately that as a democratic government, the voice of the people is the voice of God and we must listen to them. We must not presume just because we are elected, just because we are leaders that we know what the country needs.

“As articulated by our leader, President Muhammadu Buhari whatever discussion we have about federalism, restructuring will have no value unless the national assembly enacts whatever the people of Nigeria say they want. So, this hallowed chambers give all the power to make federalism work better.

“The purpose of our committee is to merely collect and collate the views of Nigerians particularly young people and other vulnerable people and present to the party”, El-Rufai.

“The Confab report of 2014 as well as the one of 2005 are some of the documents that were looking at in the committee. We plan to submit our report at the end of October. Our report would be to the party, but of course, since National Assembly members are in the committee, they’ll also have copies,” El- Rufai said.

October 10, 2017
IG kicks as Senate closes National Assembly police station

Inspector General (IG) Ibrahim Idris has protested alleged illegal closure of the Police Division at the National Assembly.

Idris, in a letter dated September 19, 2017, said the sealing and closure of the police division was effected on September 12, 2017.

The police boss, in the letter, entitled: “Re: Sealing and closure of Nigeria Police National Assembly Division”, said the action was tantamount to a criminal act, especially when it was not ordered by any competent court.

The letter, which was personally endorsed by the IG himself, was addressed to some high-ranking persons at the National Assembly.

The protest letter reads in part: “I am constrained to bring to the attention of the Chairman, National Assembly and President of the Senate, the sealing and closure of the Nigeria Police National Assembly Division since September 12, 2017 till date (seven days now).

“Preliminary inquiries initiated upon getting this report revealed that one Ibrahim Ndako – Sargent-At-Arms of the National Assembly and personnel on the said date evicted the duly posted Divisional Police Officer and staff from the police station in full glare reportedly on the instruction(s) of one M.A. Omolori – Clerk of the National Assembly and sealed the office(s).

“Pursuant to this, on September 17, 2017, I directed the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command in whose jurisdiction the National Assembly is domiciled to meet with the said M.A. Omolori – Clerk of the National Assembly and ascertain the circumstances that led to what is manifestly and unlawful action. Regrettably, this entreaty was bluntly rebuffed.

“No reason(s) prior to and after the closure has been formally conveyed to any formation of the Nigeria Police or to the Office of the Inspector General of Police in this regard even as at the time of this correspondence…

“Furthermore, it is also necessary to indicate that this action of evicting public servant in the course of performing their lawful duties and sealing an office domiciled in a public building complex devoid of an express order from competent court is tantamount to a criminal act punishable under the Criminal Code and Panel Code of Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“The implications of this action in the light of current agitations now emanating from different parts of the country negatively impact directly on the security of the National Assembly Complex, the numerous members and staff of parliament domiciled therein as well as members of the general public; an outcome, which may no doubt escalate to a serious challenge to National Security.

‘Consequently, I have initiated a formal investigation to determine the background and circumstances leading to this unfortunate and unprecedented development; the outcome of which will be conveyed to your distinguished office for information accordingly.

“While appreciating your tremendous support towards the successes of the Nigeria Police Force, accept as always the assurances of my highest regards, please.”

A reliable source, however, said the development the IG complained about may not be unconnected with the “unceremonial removal of the police DPO attached to the National Assembly.”

According to the source, “the DPO was unceremoniously redeployed for no just cause and without recourse to the management of the National Assembly”.

It was also learnt that the redeployed DPO was a course mate of Senator Isa Hamma Misau with whom the IGP has issue with.

The source said it was discovered that the police boss planned to redeploy all course mates of Misau from the Police Headquarters and other sensitive places.

The senator’s course mates, the source said, may have been believed to be feeding the lawmaker with information to attack the IGP.

October 9, 2017
Taraba Assembly constitutes committee on constitutional amendment

The Taraba House of Assembly has constituted a three-man committee to coordinate and harmonise its members’ positions on the upcoming amendment of the 1999 Constitution by the National Assembly.

Its Speaker, Mr Abel Diah, who announced this during plenary on Wednesday, said that the committee, chaired by the Deputy Speaker, Alhaji Mohammadu Gwampo, has Mr Hosea Ibi and Alhaji Bashir Mohammed as members.

He said that the committee was expected to aggregate members’ views ahead of the vote on the provisions of the constitution being altered.

Diah said that the proposed amendment was very crucial to the deepening of the nation’s democracy, and urged the committee to be thorough and strive to capture the true positions of Taraba people on the issues.

He urged his colleagues to help the committee by consulting with their respective constituencies on the items slated for amendment.

“Our decisions must reflect the wishes and desires of the good people of Taraba State; we cannot compromise that,” he said.

The speaker commended his colleagues for contributing towards developing their constituencies using private resources, and lamented that legislators in Taraba had not enjoyed constituency project allowances since return of democracy in 1999.

Mr Charles Maijankai, member representing Karim-lanido Constituency, in a remark, said that the current economic recession was hitting hard on the lawmakers, making it difficult for some of them to fuel their vehicles to attend plenary.

“Things are hard; there is the need to improve the welfare of members for optimum productivity,” Maijankai said.

October 4, 2017
Jobless people should not be in National Assembly, says VC

Members of the National Assembly should be people from the business and public sector, Vice Chancellor ofAl-Hikmah University, Prof Taofeek Ibrahim has said.

He said members occupying the two hallowed chambers should not be former jobless people, who want to make easy money from government and governance.

The professor of medicine addressed reporters in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, ahead of the convocation ceremonies of the faith-based university.

He blamed Nigeria’s underdevelopment on corruption, adding that “nothing is more responsible for mis-management and maladministration than corruption.”

He said: “Our government at all levels should rise up to be more responsible, more transparent and accountable to its citizenry.

“President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, EFCC’s Ibrahim Magu and Custom’s Hameed Ali and a few others should not be the only anti-corruption vanguards in this very populous country with extremely huge underdeveloped and undeveloped resources.

“The exorbitant running of Nigeria’s government should not continue at the peril of its citizenry; massive poverty and the country’s underdevelopment.”

Ibrahim tasked academics in the tertiary institutions not to limit their research findings to mere academic prowess in scientific and literary writings.

His words: “We in the university systems need to move out of research and publications for mere evidence of our prowess in scientific and literary writings, and move on to researches with ability to inform useful and practical policies, life-impacting technological innovations and development and the ability to identify and solve problems confronting the community.

“Researches of tertiary institutions in the developed world drive the economies of the industrialized nations.”

On the convocation ceremonies, Prof Ibrahim said that the university would be producing 16 first class graduates.

“This year’s, we are graduating 916 students across various programmes, departments and faculties. This includes 827 undergraduates and 89 postgraduates. At the undergraduate level, we have 16 first class, 208 second class upper, 434 second class lower, 143 third class and 26 pass.

“The results of this year’s graduating students have shown a remarkable improvement in students’ academic performance.”

October 3, 2017
Corruption: NASS challenged on swift passage of anti-corruption Bills

President Muhammadu Buhari has challenged the National Assembly on the need for swift passage of laws fighting Corruption

Buhari gave the charge in a nationwide broadcast to Nigerians to commemorate the country’s 57th Independence anniversary on Sunday in Abuja.

He acknowledged that fighting corruption was never going to be a straightforward task, but said the government had empowered teams of prosecutors and assembled detailed databases for effective and efficient prosecution of corrupt officials.

“We are fully aware that fighting corruption was never going to be a straightforward task.

“We expected corrupt elements to use any weapon to fight back, mainly through judicial obstruction and political diversion.

“But, we are determined to eradicate corruption from our body politic,’’ he said.

Commending the National Assembly, however, for refocusing on its oversight committees, Buhari called on all Nigerians to combat corruption at every turn.

He reassured that his administration on its part, would work for accountability at all levels of government.

He stated that already, the Federal Government had accelerated the recovery of stolen funds, adding that Nigeria had signed multi-lateral cooperation agreements on criminal matters with friendly countries.

The president, on Aug. 24, signed nine different agreements, including the Extradition Treaty between Nigeria and United Arab Emirates (UAE), toward strengthening Nigeria’s anti-corruption campaign.

The pact includes Judicial Agreements on Extradition, Transfer of Sentenced Persons, Mutual Legal Assistance on Criminal Matters, and Mutual Legal Assistance on Criminal and Commercial Matters (the recovery and repatriation of stolen wealth).

“I commend the National Assembly for refocusing on its oversight committees.

“They should, in addition, ensure swift passage of enabling corruption bills. But, fighting corruption is a bottom to top operation.

“I call on all Nigerians to combat corruption at every turn, By not asking for and refusing to accept a bribe, by reporting unethical practices or by blowing a whistle, together we can beat corruption.

“The government for its part will work for accountability at all levels – Federal, State and Local Governments. CHANGE will then be real,’’ he said.

Buhari also identified some of his administration’s new institutional reforms to include enforcing Treasury Single Account, Whistle-Blowers Policy and Integrated Payroll Personnel and Information System.

He noted that there were also signs of increasing cooperation from the nation’s judiciary.

He said: “Recently, the Chief Justice of the Federation directed Heads of all our Courts of first instance and Appeal to accelerate hearings of corruption cases and dismiss any judicial officer found to have been compromised.

“Justice Salami has just been appointed to chair the Judiciary’s anti-graft committee. Government expects a lot from this Committee.’’

The president also stated that his administration had resolved to intensify efforts toward addressing the country’s challenges and problems to accelerate progress and prosperity across the nation.

October 1, 2017