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Tag: Osinbajo

  • Osinbajo urges investors, others to shun corruption

    Osinbajo urges investors, others to shun corruption

    Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday urged investors and public officers to shun corruption in business transactions.

    He urged the Bayelsa State Government to start a culture of zero-tolerance for corruption to attract foreign and local investors.

    The Vice-President spoke at the Banquet Hall of the Government House in Yenagoa, the state capital, when he opened the second edition of the Bayelsa State Investment and Economic Forum with a theme: Unfolding Bayelsa State Industrial Future.

    The summit attracted investment experts from various parts of the world, with captains of industries, traditional rulers and political office holders present.

    Osinbajo, who was represented by his Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr. Ade Ipaye, said security should be prioritised at the federal and state levels to attract investments.

    He said: “The government must remain open to regular consultations and collaborations with the business sector to meet the development and employment needs of local communities.

    “We simply cannot afford to neglect the needs of local communities because they are the ones we are here to serve. Let us look at ways of establishing a synergy of symbiotic relationship between new investments and support for small and medium scale enterprises, which invariably have the strong influence on local economy.”

    Osinbajo also urged the government to comply with regulatory standards and give fair treatment to all investors.

    He said: “For instance, the world is increasingly going green and no state should be left behind. Even as we encourage them to invest and do business here, we need to fine-tune our regulatory and enforcement regimes to ensure that industries are more environmentally friendly.

    “Furthermore, the government must consciously take steps to make life easy and reduce operating cost for investors and businessmen.”

    The Vice-President called for prompt payment of taxes by those in formal and informal sectors.

    Osinbajo said: “Taxes are the life blood of government and the obligation of every citizen who has an income. It is also that strong hook, which connects people to government and give them the voice to demand prudence and accountability from their public officers.

    “I hope that as government strives to improve the economy in Bayelsa State, all the companies, businessmen and employees here will reciprocate by paying their taxes as when due…

    “I congratulate the governor and all those who work so hard to make this event a reality. Bayelsa definitely is a state that means business.”

    Governor Seriake Dickson said the investment potential in the state include oil and gas-related businesses, agriculture, manufacturing and power.

  • Why Buhari saved debtor states, by Osinbajo

    Why Buhari saved debtor states, by Osinbajo

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has explained that President Muhammadu Buhari decided to offer bailouts to states unable to pay salaries because of his love and compassion for workers.

    He spoke yesterday in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State.

    Osinbajo said going by the financial circumstances of the affected states and the plight of workers, it was imperative for any listening and sensitive government to intervene in the way President Buhari did.

    According to him: “As you know, the Federal Government under President Buhari directed that three things should be done regarding the situation of the states in Nigeria.

    “We know that the states were unable to pay salaries of their workers for many months. The first stage was the sum of money that was shared from the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas dividends and taxes amounting to $2.1b.

    “The second package is a loan, which the states are allowed to access. The loans are concessionary in nature and any state that deserves it should have it.

    The Vice President went on: “The third stage is the conversion of loans owed to commercial banks by the states to bonds.  It is fairly complicated but simply put the state and FG will work out how the loan will be repaid over an extended period of time.

    “We are looking at 15 to 20 year period. Some have described this as bailout but what Buhari has done is an extremely creative and compassionate way of giving relief to states as much as possible, given the financial circumstances they found themselves.”

    He called on the affected states to utilise the fund for its purpose judiciously, saying the 40 per cent drop in federal allocation to states as a result of fall in crude oil prices was capable of paralysing state finances.”

  • Boko Haram targeting VIPs’ homes, says Osinbajo

    Boko Haram targeting VIPs’ homes, says Osinbajo

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo  yesterday disclosed to the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting that plans by Boko Haram to dump refuse-laden bombs in the houses had been uncovered.

    This was contained in the copy of the talking point circulated to journalists after the six hours meeting.

    It was only circulated by the council secretariat after a joint news conference governors Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos), Solomon Lalong (Plateau), Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi) and Ifeanyi Oguanyi (Enugu).

    Ambode, who spoke during the briefing did not mention the issue as he did not read directly from the talking point.

    The talking point also did not name the Very Important Personalities (VIPs), whose houses were being targeted but claimed that security reports revealed that scavengers were being prepared by the insurgents to carry out the evil act.

    The talking point containing the Council’s resolutions reads: “The Vice President regretted that the insurgency has affected the economic life of the Northeast and the country as a whole.

    “He called on the Council to speak as a teem to put pressure on the Service chiefs to increase their effort in fighting insurgency.

    “There should be increase in sensitisation and education channels, like radio, television.

    “The vice president also disclosed that security report has it that scavengers are now being prepared by insurgents to dump refuse laden with bombs in the houses of VIP.”

    On update on intervention funds by Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, it said: “Council received a presentation from the CBN governor on the update of restructuring of bank loans for the states and payment of salary arrears.

    The talking point disclosed that NEC also agreed that existing loans should be restructured for minimum of 20 years while salary arrears should also be restructured for the minimum of 15 years and not exceed than 20 years.

    It reads: “The governor informed the council that following meetings with banks, it was agreed that existing loans should be restructured for the minimum of 20 years while salary arrears should also be restructured for the minimum of 15 years and not exceed more than 20 years.

    “He added that states could opt for two options -the bond option, which will attract market rate; and the debt restructuring option which will attract single digit rate.”

    Accordingly, the Council resolved that a four-man team made up of the governor of Bauchi, Rivers, Ondo and Osun states are to follow up with the CBN to ensure that the issues of Excess Crude Collateral for the states are sorted out by next Tuesday.

    On the Excess Crude proceeds, the talking point said that the council received a presentation from the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance on the Excess Crude proceeds.

    “He took the council through the summary of inflow and outflow of Excess Crude Savings account from January 2011 to 21 July 2015.

    “According to the Permanent Secretary, the ECA currently stands at $2.078 billion.”

    The Council also directed that the Committee on ECA should work with the Accountant-General’s office to resolve the gaps observed in the presentation.

    On insecurity in the Northeast, the talking point said: “Governors of Yobe, Borno, Taraba, Kaduna, Gombe, Plateau and Bauchi took turns to inform the Council of security concerns in those regions.

    “On Boko Haram issues, governors of Yobe and Borno raised the alarm of five local government areas of the two states still being in possession of the insurgents

    “They called for increase in military deployment and provision of sophisticated military equipment in those areas. Insurgents are still hiding in the Sambisa forest

    “On cattle rustling and banditry, Kaduna State Governor disclosed that most of the cattle rustlers are in Kumuku National Park and which if not properly handled could result to another Sambisa forest. Security effort is being set up to deal with this.

    “Osun State governor suggested that special economic angle should be introduced, in addition to military intervention to deal with Boko Haram problem,” the talking point stated.

    Briefing journalists before the talking point was circulated, Ambode said that the meeting resolved that all the state governments should find ways to reduce cost of governance in their states.

    The state governments have been seeking for bailout from the Federal Government to be able to clear workers’ salaries arrears in their states, among other debts.

    He said: “We have just finished the 59th economic council meeting in which a lot of issues were deliberated upon.

    “We resolved that all states should find ways to reduce their cost of governance.

    “We do not have a  uniform template on how to reduce the cost of governance, but it’s very clear that states in the specific situations will find different ways and means of ensuring the cost of running governance is not as huge as it has always been.

    “So it’s left for the states in their respective situation to find the different ways of cutting cost but what is important is that we cannot continue with the kind of huge burden or huge cost we are applying to run our government. A situation where you are having a huge percentage of your budget as recurrent expenditure is obviously not acceptable. And you must look for ways in reducing the cost of administration in the various states.”

    On insurgency, Ambode said: “We also spoke about the issue of  insurgency in the Northeast and the activities of Boko Haram. We spoke extensively on its implication to the whole nation, and the effect on our economy.

    “We also recognised the frantic efforts that have been made by the President and even his recent visit to the US in trying to find solution to resolve the situation in the Northeast.

    “We also recognised the fact that the new Service chiefs will cooperate with the President and also ensure that all the things that need to be put in place are done as quickly as posssible.

    “We resolved to support the Federal Government in all its policies direction to boost the economy of this nation.

    He said that the meeting also spoke on areas to boost the revenue potentials of the country.

    According to him, NEC also praised the efforts of the president and vice president on their visits to areas in the north east and also resolved that everything should be done to boost the economy of the states in the north east.

    On the four-man committee set up during last NEC, he said: “The last time NEC met the issue of NNPC excess crude account was discussed and a committee was set up and it was meant to support its report today. That didn’t happen.

    “The Committee is yet to submit it’s report, it is still working on it and we believe very strongly we will get that report in the next meeting,” he said

  • NEC: Osinbajo, governors meet at Aso Rock

    NEC: Osinbajo, governors meet at Aso Rock

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and state governors on Thursday began the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The meeting started when Osinbajo, who presided over the closed-door meeting, arrived the Council Chamber at few minutes past 11.00am.

    Issues that would likely be discussed at the meeting include the report of a four- man committee mandated to investigate incomes and spending  from the Excess Crude Account and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) account from 2012 till the end of last administration.

    The committee which was set up during the last NEC meeting has governors Nasir el-Rufai (Kaduna), Adams Oshiomhole (Edo), Emmanuel Udom (Akwa Ibom)  and Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe), as members.

    The meeting may also consider bailout for states owing workers’ salaries.

    The states represented at the meeting, which is still in progress, are – Cross River, Kaduna, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Enugu, Anambra, Imo, Kogi , Gombe, Delta, Kano, Lagos and Niger.

    Others are – Adamawa, Ondo, Sokoto, Yobe, Osun, Bauchi, Ebonyi, Kebbi, Oyo, Plateau, Taraba, Zamfara, Bayelsa and Abia.

  • No one is above the law, says Osinbajo

    No one is above the law, says Osinbajo

    •VP: rule of law must work

    No Nigerian is above the law, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said yesterday.

    This is the first rule in any developed nation, said the Vice President, who insisted that the rule of  law must be maintained in Nigeria.

    He spoke at the Presidential Villa when the leadership of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) visited him.

    According to Osinbajo, there was no reason why Nigeria should not be well run as other countries.

    In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media & Publicity, Laolu Akande, the Vice President said: “Good economies are run by men, not spirits. There is no reason why our country cannot be like that.”

    Noting that the key to a good society is the rule of law, he said: “We insist that the rule of law be maintained, that no one is above the law.

    “It is the first rule, the President has committed himself to this. He said it again in the United States.”

    “If somebody is held according to the law, we must support that. Let us support what is good and right for the country,” he added.

    Commending the important role road transporters play in the economy, the Vice-President said the union is “one of the truly national organisations that Nigeria can boast of”.

    He said the union’s role could not be ignored, observing that its members provide the “most accessible form of transportation for our people.”

    Osinbajo said because of the union’s strategic role, its members carry “a great deal of responsibility”.

    “Your role comes with a great deal of responsibility and with tremendous opportunity,” he said

    He thanked the union for  obeying the law.

    The Vice-President said: “One of the things President Muhammadu Buhari has said consistently is that our elite must understand that every privilege comes with responsibility, like maintaining the peace and stability of this nation. Without the peace, none of us can function.

    “I believe we would see the end of Boko Haram, because we hold ourselves responsible to ensure that the insurgency does not continue.”

    He urged NURTW members to remain vigilant, because “those who are being used for the attacks, the children, are conveyed from place to place.”

    The union’s President, Najeem Usman Yasin, said the leaders came to congratulate the President and the Vice President on their electoral victory.

    He praised the Buhari presidency for “adopting various strategies to end corruption and insurgency”.

  • Osinbajo, Yari discuss workers pay bailout ahead of NEC meeting

    Osinbajo, Yari discuss workers pay bailout ahead of NEC meeting

    NIGERIAN Governors’ Forum (NGF)   Chairman and Nasarawa State Governor Abdulazeez Yari was yesterday at the Presidential Villa, where he held a closed-door parley with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

    Their talk, it was learnt, centred on the modalities of the relief package approved for states by the Federal Government early in the month. The vice president and the NGF chair were believed to have discussed the modalities of the ‘bailouts’ which President Muhammadu Buhari approved about two weeks ago.

    Yari’s meeting with the vice president was ahead of tomorrow’s National Economic Council (NEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    It was learnt that governors may likely ask for more bailout at the meeting as some of the states have not cleared the arrears of their workers’ salaries despite the relief packaged for them by the Federal Government.

    The measures approved by the President include: the sharing of the  $2.1 billion 2014 Income Tax/Education Tax remitted to the Federation Account by the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLGN) Ltd; a Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)-packaged low-interest rate loans, ranging from N250 billion to N300 billion and the rescheduling of existing loans.

    Speaking with State House reporters after meeting with the vice president, the NGF chair said he came to find out the update on the agreement for the “bailout” to be facilitated by the CBN.

    According to him, he wanted to know how far the Presidency had gone with the CBN in sourcing the funds ahead of tomorrow’s NEC meeting.

    He said: “Anyway, we discussed the special intervention funds. In our last meeting with the President, we agreed in the NEC that there will be a special intervention from the federal for the states that cannot foot their salary arrears to their workers.

    “So, I followed up with the chairman of the NEC to know how far they have gone with the CBN. We have gotten…. and also the share of the money that is going to be shared to the three tiers of government.

    “Because this issue of unpaid salaries is not only for the states, even the federal government is suffering the same thing.

    “So, therefore, we follow-up to know how far they have gone with the CBN Governor and now we have gotten the brief but the CBN governor is out in Washington and immediately he comes back, we are going to take up the matter to see the end of issue of unpaid salaries to the workers.”

    On Boko Haram attacks, Yari said that the government was doing everything possible to counter the insurgents, prevent their bombs and dislodge their suicide bombers.

    He said: “You see, the issue of insurgency is something that is a problem of all. Now, Boko Haram members cannot be found in any forest, or in any local government among the occupied local governments in Borno, Yobe or Adamawa states. You cannot find them.

    “So, what we are now suffering is a kind of guerrilla war, checking the bombs, dislodging the suicide bombings and what have you. But to see a group of 100, 200 as Boko Haram members to confront with our military, they cannot be found.

    “The government and the security agencies are doing their best to ensure that peace is restored.

    “Therefore, we are working and now it is the responsibility of our government to ensure security of lives and property of the people. And the issue of Boko Haram is number one that Mr. President is discussing with the President of the United States and the support he is going to give Nigeria to ensure that the insurgency comes to an end.”

    On the lead poisoning in his state, Yari said it was aggravated by unemployment. The government, according to him, has organised miners into smaller groups to sharpen their skills in modern techniques to avoid reoccurrence of the disaster

    He said: “You see, the issue of lead poisoning in the past is about education. Our youths are unemployed and they are looking inwards to the resources at their backyards; how they are going to get employed. So, they are doing the mining without directive.

    “Since this happened in 2010, many international groups, friends and donors have been giving them supports like DFID, World Bank, World Youths Organisation, among others.

    “If these guys cannot stop the mining, we should find a way of providing a better mining technique, as safety mining techniques so that this lead poisoning will not happen again.

    “And we have been working tirelessly with these foreign supporters and lead poisoning has come to an end. “But, you cannot tell them don’t do it without giving them something to do. So, we put them in a kind of group and teach them the safe way of doing it and how to do it without being affected. So, the issue of lead poisoning is minimal or no more in the state.”

     

  • Pay cut: Cleric tells others to emulate Buhari, Osinbajo

    Pay cut: Cleric tells others to emulate Buhari, Osinbajo

    The Mushin Area Superintendent of the Apostolic Church of Nigeria, Pastor Gabriel Adeniyi, has advised other elected leaders to emulate President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo by also slashing their salaries by fifty percent.
    He spoke at the 24th annual convention of the church with the theme “You are the temple of God”.
    Adeniyi said the pay cut will go a long way in demonstrating the change mantra of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and make more funds available for developmental projects.
    He also described the crises of the National Assembly as unfortunate, calling on the lawmakers to resolve their differences in the nation’s interest.
    The cleric said: “I implore you all to please resolve any rancour because if it keep going like this and neglecting your primary assignment, I fear for the end.”
    He frowned at the same-sex marriage approved by the Supreme Court of the United States of America (USA), condemning the development as a flagrant deviation from God’s word.
    According to him: “USA started with God but today they have deviated from the words of the Lord. What they did was totally against the will of God. It annoys God and God will never be happy with that attitude.”
    He called on Nigerians to resist any attempt to introduce similar orientation in the country, saying “I charge Nigerians not to support this evil act any day but to concentrate on serving God the way the bible laid the principles to disallow any calamity.”

  • Governors, judges, ministers, others to earn more than Buhari, Osinbajo

    Governors, judges, ministers, others to earn more than Buhari, Osinbajo

    •Perm Sec, Special Adviser , Speech Writers too

    MONTHLY PAY

    •President ( N585, 784.10)
    •Vice President; (N505,262.08)
    •Senate President (N724,570.72)
    •Deputy Senate President (N673,507.00)
    •Senator (N1,063,860)
    •Speaker (N412,851.66)
    •Deputy Speaker (N381, 172.40)
    • Representatives (N794, 086.83)
    •  Governor (N648,580.62);
    • Deputy Governor (N616,062.69)
    • Minister/SGF/ HOS (N650,136.65)

    With a 50 per cent cut in their pay, the President and Vice-President are to earn less than the Chief Justice of Nigeria, ministers, High Court judges and others.

    According to a document obtained from the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), the President and the Vice President are now ranked as 15th and 17th in Remuneration Package for Political, Public and Judicial Office Holders.

    This is the first time that the President and Vice President will slump in the pay ranking.

    The President has said that he will not force other office holders to cut their salaries.

    The monthly pay is as follows: President ( N585, 784.10); Vice President; (N505.262.08); Senate President(N724,570.72);  Deputy Senate President (N673,507.00);  Senator (N1,063,860); Speaker, House of Representatives (N412,851.66); Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives (N381, 172.40) and member, House of Representatives (N794, 086.83).

    The pay highlights for others are Governor(N648,580.62);  Deputy Governor(N616,062.69); Minister/SGF/ HOS/ Chairmen of constitutional bodies(N650,136.65); Minister of State/Member of constitutional bodies(N628, 056.91); Special Adviser , including other categories, such as speech writers (N590, 957.81); Directors-General/ Auditor-General/ Permanent Secretary/ Accountant-General/ Executive Secretaries/ Chief Executives of Parastatals, Agencies and Government Companies/ INEC Resident Electoral Commissioners(N617, 881.68); and Chief Justice of Nigeria(N560,662.16).

    Others are Supreme Court Justices/ President, Court of Appeal(N908, 273.66); Justices of Court of Appeal/ Chief Judge , Federal High Court/ Chief Judge FCT/ President, National Industrial Court/ Grand Khadi FCT Sharia Court of Appeal/ President, FCT Customary Court of Appeal/ Chief Judge of a State/ Grand Khadi/ State Sharia Court of Appeal/ President, State Customary Court of Appeal(N731, 657.66).

    The list includes Judge of the Federal High Courrt/ National Industrial Court/ FCT High Court/ State High Court/ Khadi FCT Sharia Court of Appeal/ Judge FCT Customary Court of Appeal/ Khadi State Sharia Court of Appeal/ Judge State Customary Court(N661,735).

    It could not be immediately ascertained from RMAFC why the monthly pay  of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives is low compared to the Deputy President of the Senate and other members of the House.

    A source simply said: “I think the Speaker and his Deputy enjoy many perks in office  than many political office holders.

    “Do not forget the fact that we are still using the 2009 Remuneration Package initiated by the late President Umaru Yar’Adua.

    But RMAFC recommended eight ways to check leakages and wastes in government.

    The eight points are:

    •Eliminating or limiting the number of Personal Assistants

    •Reducing frivolous local and foreign trips

    • Checking  purchase of vehicles far in excess of what is approved for official use

    •Reduction of large use of motorcades by officials in excess of what is either specified in the remuneration package or compared to what is practiced in other parts of the world

    •The present state of the economy calls for caution and belt tightening measures

    • The 3-tiers of government to put in place adequate expenditure management and control system

    •Necessary to diversify the economic base of the nation in order to generate more revenue at the Federal, State and Local Government Council levels

    •Federal, State, LGA to focus more on the provision of Capital Projects/ Infrastructure rather than recurrent expenditure.

    The agency said: “The commission, based on its observations concluded that apart from the reduction in allowances, there are other areas of leakages and wastages in revenue at all the tiers of government that must be addressed in order to ensure increase in revenue and its judicious management

    “That there is non-compliance with the provisions of the remuneration packages such as contained in either the Report of the Commission or the Act itself. Such violations by the three tiers and arms of government include arbitrary appointment of high number of Personal Assistants which is adding more cost to the running of government at the various levels. It is difficult to determine what value they add to service delivery or to governance.

    ”The commission advised that all these illegal appointments by the 3-Tiers of government be stopped and officers concerned be relieved of their appointments.

    “Also, all the three tiers and arms of government should eliminate or limit the number of Personal Assistants to reduce cost of governance.

    “That there are too many frivolous local and foreign trips by Political Office Holders throughout the country. The commission is advising that it is necessary to reduce local and foreign trips and the size of entourage on such trips when absolutely necessary in order to save cost.

    “That there is acquisition and use of assets such as motor vehicles far in excess of what is approved for official use. For example,  Government Parastatals and Agencies purchasing project vehicles and eventually handing over same to their parent ministries as a way of circumventing the remuneration package.

    “The commission strongly advised all tiers of government to issue circular to all government ministries, parastatals, agencies to desist from buying vehicle under the cover of PROJECT VEHICLES to their parent ministries.

    “Similarly , the commission also observed the practice of buying fleet of cars in the name of Committee Vehicles. This practice negates the whole idea of monetisation, principle of modesty in governance and the spirit of remuneration packages particularly in the legislative arm throughout the country.

    “Therefore under the current economic downturn of the nation, this practice has to stop and vehicles procured in this manner have to be sold and proceeds should be used to provide buses for the common citizenry.

    “That there is a large use of motorcades by officials in excess of what is either specified in the remuneration package or compared to what is practiced in other parts of the world. The commission views this as a complete violation of the Remuneration Package because it has significantly increased the overhead cost of governance.”

    Disturbed by the high cost of governance, Yar’Adua had mandated RMAFC to review the Remuneration Package for political, Public and Judicial Office Holders to save cost.

    In the document made available to The Nation, RMAFC  gave the background to the review under Yar’Adua.

    RMAFC said: “The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) in pursuance of its constitutional role of determining the remuneration appropriate Political, Public, and Judicial Office Holders as enshrined in Sections 70, 84, 111 and 124, as well as Paragraph 32(d) of Part One of the Third Schedule of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria had, in the year 2007, reviewed the remuneration package for the Office Holders in the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary at the Federal, State and Local Government levels.

    “The recommendations of the Commission for the Executive at the Federal level and the FCT Area Councils as well as the Judiciary (Federal and States) were passed into law by the National Assembly as “Certain Political, Public and Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2008”.

    “The various State Assemblies also passed their respective remuneration laws based on the salaries and allowances as determined by the Commission in its Remuneration Report of February, 2007.

    “The Remuneration package came into effect on 1st February, 2007. However, the Commission received a letter from Mr. President dated 10th February, 2009 on the need to review the 2008 Amendment Act, in view of the impact of the current global economic crisis and financial meltdown on the Nigerian economy particularly, the dwindling Government revenue.

    ”In line with its normal practice, the Commission commenced the review exercise by obtaining clarifications from appropriate authorities and holding interactive and consultative sessions with Stakeholder with a view to obtaining the inputs to guide the Commission to arrive at a fair remuneration package.

    “Specifically, the Commission inter- alia held consultations with the Senate, the House of Representatives, representatives of the Conference of Speakers of State Assemblies, representatives of the media, civil societies and labour, the Judiciary, the National Economic Management team, and representatives of Chairmen of Federal Executive Bodies. The Commission would like to note the true national spirit of collective sacrifice displayed by majority of the Stakeholders during the consultations.

    “In addition, the Commission obtained data on some current economic indicators and key macroeconomic variables such as inflationary rates, cost of living, exchange rate, Gross Domestic Product, crude oil production, international oil prices, accruals into the Federation Account etc., which were considered critical to the review exercise.

    ”Based on the provisions of paragraph 32(d) of Part 1 of the Third Schedule of the -999 Constitution and Section 148 (2) (c) of the same Constitution, it is the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission that has the power to determine, fix, review upward or downward the remuneration package of Political, Public and Judicial office holders whether elected, appointed or both including the Legislature at the Federal, State, and Local Government levels.

    “ However, the Commission took into consideration the provisions of Sections 84 (3) and 124 (3) of the 1999 Constitution both of which provide that “the remuneration and salaries payable to the holders of the said offices and their conditions of service, other than allowances, shall not be altered to their disadvantage after their appointment.

    “These provisions are however not applicable to the legislature at the fFederal, state and local government levels. Nevertheless, the commission in order to be fair, equitable and just to all beneficiaries of its remuneration package, decided not to review the basic salaries, but rather to confine itself to the allowances and other benefits of political, public and judicial office holders, including those in the legislature.”

     

  • Osinbajo intervenes in Rivers crisis

    Osinbajo intervenes in Rivers crisis

    •VP demands court orders, rulings at meeting with stakeholders

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) has intervened in the crisis arising from court orders and rulings over legality of the Rivers State local government councils to ensure peace, it was learnt yesterday evening in Port Harcourt.

    An All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, who craved anonymity, said the vice president demanded copies of the courts’ orders and rulings to properly study them and decide on the way forward.

    Prof. Osinbajo, as at press time last night, was meeting with the state stakeholders in Abuja on the face-off, making it difficult to get the outcome of the closed-door meeting.

    The caretaker committee chairmen and members inaugurated by Governor Nyesom Wike on July 9 have taken over the 22 of 23 local government areas after policemen allowed them access to the secretariats.

    In Port Harcourt yesterday evening, the 23 elected councils’ chairmen, who belonging to the APC and led by Chimbiko Iche Akarolo of Port Harcourt City Council, also met with the leadership of the party behind closed doors.

    But the decisions reached were not made public.

    Justice John Agbadu-Fishim of the National Industrial Court (NIC) in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, on June 22, gave an order restraining Wike from dissolving 22 of the 23 councils, while further hearing on the suit was adjourned till October 6.

    The order, which will remain in force until the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction, restrained Rivers governor, the state House of Assembly, the state Attorney-General and their agents from dissolving, suspending, sacking, terminating or in any manner whatsoever interfering with the tenure of office of the 23 local councils chairmen.

    The order also restrained the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) or his agents and privies from enforcing any purported action detrimental to the existence of the 23 chairmen and councillors. The order was duly served on all parties, including the IGP.

    On July 9, Justice Lambo Akanbi of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, dissolved the 22 councils for allegedly disobeying his order.

    But the chairmen immediately filed a motion for stay of execution of the ruling at the Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt. But this was ignored by Wike.

    The state governor, on the same July 9, sent names of chairmen and members of caretaker committees to the state’s House of Assembly, led by Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani and they were quickly screened by the 32 lawmakers, consisting of 31 PDP and one APC members.

    The caretaker committee members were inaugurated by Wike around 10 p.m. on the same Thursday.

    The sacked 22 chairmen and their councillors were elected on May 23 this year, during the Rotimi Amaechi’s administration.

    The tenure of the chairman and councillors of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni council will expire next year and was not affected by the dissolution.

    The NIC in Yenagoa is of equal/coordinate jurisdiction with the FHC in Port Harcourt, which handled the ruling on July 9.

  • Osinbajo seeks global action on repatriation of illicit funds

    Osinbajo seeks global action on repatriation of illicit funds

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday pushed for global action on repatriation of illicit funds.

    He spoke at the third United Nations (UN) conference on Financing for Development in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

    Osinbajo urged the international community to develop appropriate mechanism to dismantle safe havens and ensure repatriation of stolen funds and assets to the countries of origin as mandated in the United Nations Conventions against Corruption and Transnational Organised Crime.

    Continuing, he said Nigeria welcomes the report of the African Union (AU) high-level panel on illicit financial flow from Africa and called on the international community to assist Africa “stop, track and repatriate illicit funds”.

    The Vice President, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant (Media and Publicity),  Laolu Akande, also called on global leaders, experts and the international community to pay attention to the plight of the poor across the world.

    Addressing political leaders, including the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, he said: “I challenge the global community to develop and implement unconventional social safety nets to address poverty, hunger, disease and misery.

    “The Muhammadu Buhari administration is committed to setting appropriate spending targets on social services to address poverty, hunger, inequality and unemployment, particularly among the youth.”

    The Vice-President also spoke on terrorism and insurgency and how they affect development.

    He urged the international community to develop a viable mechanism to deal with the menace.

    According to him, global terrorism constitutes a potent threat to countries’ peace, stability and economic development.

    The threat, he emphasised, calls for adequate funding, partnership and collaboration of the global community.

    “We must take parallel action to intensify efforts towards blocking all sources of funding for terrorist activities,” he added.

    On the role of education and the exchange of knowledge to support dissemination of technologies for development, the Vice President called for the establishment of a Global Fund for Educational Development (GFED).

    ‘The Muhammadu Buhari administration is committed to setting appropriate spending targets on social services to address poverty, hunger, inequality and unemployment, particularly among the youth