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Tag: Odein Ajumogobia

  • Ajumogobia raises alarm over delay of PIB 

    …picks holes bill’s provision for discretion

     

    Former Minister of State for Petroleum, Odein Ajumogobia Tuesday raised fears over the National Assembly’s delay of the passage of the remaining three components of the Petroleum Industry Bills (PIBs).

    He said that there was no hope that the bill that was initiated by the Oil and Gas Industry Committee (OGIC) meeting 18 years would come into fruition this year.

    Ajumogobia was giving a goodwill message in Abuja during the Roundtable on PIB, with the theme: “The Impact of Petroleum Sector Reform on Nigeria’s Global Economic Prospects.”

    Read Also:FG loses $30b FDI to absence of PIB –Saraki

    He pointed out that the lawmakers, who ought to process the bill were already concerned about their re-election into the National Assembly.

    His words:  “This journey is 18 years-old, still we are not sure that we will see light at the end of the tunnel. One of the things we are talking about is that the bill will be passed by the end of this year. The people who are supposed to pass it are going about how to win their election to the National Assembly.”

    The former minister, who noted that bill will have to be re-presented to the 9th National Assembly, sought the acceleration of the process of the passage.

    Ajumogobia however picked holes in the bill, stressing that it makes provision for the Minister of the proposed commission to use his discretion in dictating how to give out the marginal oil field to stakeholders.

    Ajumogobia warned that “once you leave it to discretion it can be abused.”

    He submitted that even when the bill is passed; it is going to be driven by integrity, consistent policies and implementation of policies.

    Speaking, a member of the House Ad Hoc Committee on PIB, Hon. Henry Nwawuba, allayed the minister’s fears over failure to pass the bill, stressing that the bill is the topmost agenda that the 8th House of Representatives set for themselves.

    “We want to be remembered as the assembly that passed the PIB,” he promised.

    But another stakeholder, Dr. Otive Igbuzor, took the promise of the lawmaker with a pinch of salt, recalling that “Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan and their ministers of Petroleum gave commitment and assurance to pass the bill into law before the end of their tenures.”

    He said that after the passage of the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill, President Muhammadu Buhari has not spoken.

  • I have no link with MEND, Avengers – Ajumogobia

    A former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr. Odein Ajumogobia ( SAN), on Wednesday  said he has no link with the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta ( MEND) or any violent group in the region.

    The ex-minister said he did not offer to be part of negotiations with the Federal Government to stop attacks on oil installations on behalf of the perpetrators who belong to Niger Delta Avengers.

    He said he does not know the alleged perpetrators not to talk of negotiating on their behalf.

    Ajumogobia, who made the clarifications in a statement in Abuja, said he is not affiliated to any insurgent group.

    The statement said: “My attention has been drawn to widespread reports in the media claiming that I have agreed to participate in negotiations with the Federal Government over the issue of attacks against oil installations in the Niger Delta on behalf of some of the alleged perpetrators of these actions or connected persons. This is not so.

    “I wish to make it absolutely clear that I do not know the alleged perpetrators nor have I offered to serve as their representative in any prospective discussions with the federal government in any capacity whatsoever.

    “I was recently contacted by someone who claimed to represent the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND). In that conversation the caller asked if I would be willing to participate in an initiative to find ways to end the attacks on oil installations through dialogue towards restoring peace and stability in the region.

    “My brief response was that if the federal government was genuinely interested in entering into discussions with credible parties who could help to facilitate such a dialogue to halt the actions that were undermining the social and economic stability of the region and the nation I would readily participate.

    “In such an event I would seek to articulate the proper interests of all law abiding Nigerians generally and the ordinary people of the Niger Delta States, in particular.

    “I am not affiliated to or the official or legal representative of any particular group and I am certainly not an advocate for the unstated demands or actions of any insurgent organizations.”

  • Soyinka, Anyaoku, others for debate on Nigeria

    Soyinka, Anyaoku, others for debate on Nigeria

    PROMINENT Nigerians would on March 26 discuss critical issues affecting the nation.

    Tagged the inaugural edition of the Public Service Debate organised by St. John’s Forum, the debate will be moderated by former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku.

    Speakers include Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka; former External Affairs Minister, Mr. Odein Ajumogobia (SAN); Senate Deputy President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu and renowned Oxford University scholar, Dr. Abdu Raufu Mustapha.

    The theme of the debate, which holds at Agip Hall Muson “Will Nigeria be better served by a parliamentary system of government?”

     

  • Fashola canvasses facilities for the physically-challenged

    Fashola canvasses facilities for the physically-challenged

    Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola has urged private and public institutions to consider people with disabilities when providing services.

    Speaking at the Silverbird Man of the Year 2013 Award in Lagos, Fashola regretted that the physically-challenged suffer due to deficient public facilities.

    Anambra State Governor Peter Obi also got the Man of the Year Award.

    Fashola said: “Prof. Chinweizu Ibekwe, one of the awardees of today, could not come to the podium because he is physically-challenged. I think it is time public and private institutions take them into consideration when providing public service.

    ‘’Facilities that will ease their suffering should be at airports, hospitals and banks to enable them access services without hindrance.”

    Chairman of the occasion Odein Ajumogobia said the awardees, including the President of the Republic of Rwanda, Paul Kagama, and his Sierra Leone counterpart, Ernest Bai Koroma, were worthy of the honour.

    He said Kagama and Koroma were recognised for their efforts to rebuild their war-ravaged countries.

    President Koroma, who was represented by the Serria Leonean Ambassador in Nigeria, Mr. Henry Macauley, said the administration empowered anti-graft agencies to do their job effectively.

    He said: “We have empowered the anti-graft commissions to investigate and fight corruption because this is the only way Africa can impact on its people. We have also defended democracy because that is another way our people can feel the impact of the government.”

    Dr. Tunji Braithwaite, who got the Lifetime Achievement Award, said he was not used to receiving awards but preferred this one because “it is unique.”

    He said until the right thing was done, he would continue to defend the masses, who have been “disproportionately affected” by government policies.

    Ibekwe, who also got the Life Achievement Award, said the amalgamation of the Northern and Southern protectorates by Lord Lugard in 1914 was the beginning of evil for the country, describing it as a marriage of incompatible people.

    He said: “The centenary being celebrated is inconsequential because the poverty level is rising on a daily basis and, going by the trend, over 90 per cent of Nigerians will live below poverty level, if this is not addressed.”

    Chairman of the Silverbird Group Ben Murray-Bruce said the country’s leaders must do the right thing at the right time, adding that the people’s security must be guaranteed.

    He said: “People must not use public offices to suppress others because they hold these offices in trust for the people.