The Nation Newspaper

Tag: panel

  • Panel advises Senate: don’t create new states

    Panel advises Senate: don’t create new states

    Agitators for new states may have lost the battle, with the Technical Committee on amendments to the 1999 Constitution advising the Senate against the exercise.

    In February, the report of the House of Representatives consultations on constitution amendment also confirmed that Nigerians rejected new states.

    The National Assembly, in 2012, received 57 requests for new states. There are 36 now.

    The Technical Committee may submit its findings to the Upper Chamber this week.

    The 25-man committee comprises constitutional lawyers, political scientists, researchers and public policy analysts.

    Sources said it may have recommended more revenue for states; consideration of state police – in line with the principle of Federalism — retention of Joint Account; a guaranteed three-year tenure for elected officers of Local Government Areas (LGAs); and removal of local government chairmen to take similar process as governors’.

    Also recommended are: abolition of caretaker committee system at local governments; and no single term of five years.

    A highly-placed source, who spoke on the recommendations of the committee, said: “The Technical Committee considered all suggestions and advised the Senate against state creation because such states will not be viable. The nation’s economy cannot support new states.

    “The agitation for states followed a proposal to return the nation into regions to strengthen our federalism. Some people felt an additional state from the Southeast would have ensured a balance in the regional structure. But since we are no longer going back to the regional structure, there is no need for new states.

    “More revenue has been recommended for states since some items on the exclusive list have been moved to the concurrent list. This means more responsibilities going to states.

    “On the single term tenure, the committee got a five-year proposal. But while the minority supported it, the majority kicked against it. It is left to the Senate to consider arguments for and against the single tenure.

    “Regarding state police, the Technical Committee observed that with the exception of the Southwest, Nigerians at zonal public hearings rejected it. But the panel has said the ‘Senate may wish to consider state police’, based on the security challenges facing the country.”

    The source also gave an insight into the recommendations on the management of local government areas nationwide.

    The Committee recommended an amendment to the constitution, which will guarantee three-year tenure for all elected local government officials.

    “The era of a caretaker management committee will henceforth be illegal. Only validly elected officers will be in charge, said the source, who added: “Also, the removal of local government chairmen will now follow a constitutional process like that of elected governors and their deputies.”

    Regarding financial autonomy for states, the source said: “The Technical Committee endorsed the retention of Joint Account because of the rampant cases of mismanagement of resources by local governments.”

    As at press time, it was learnt that the Senate will soon begin the consideration of the reports of Zonal Public Hearings and the Technical Committee.

    A Senator said: “We may consider all the reports immediately after the Easter break.

    “The Technical Committee is advisory, but the ultimate decisions on all proposed amendments lie with the National Assembly. If the two chambers disagree on some amendments, we will then convene a joint conference.”

  • Crash: FG probe team arrives Yenagoa

    Crash: FG probe team arrives Yenagoa

    …Navy sets up panel

    As the presidential investigate team arrives Yenagoa to probe last weekend’s helicopter crash, the Bayelsa State government said it is eagerly awaiting the outcome of investigations.

    The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Dele Ezeoba, was in Yenagoa, where he briefed Governor Seriake Dickson on Federal Government’s directive to carry out a thorough investigation on circumstances leading to the crash.

    Vice Admiral Ezeoba, who called on Nigerians to remain united despite the national loss, informed governor Dickson that President Goodluck Jonathan has directed a detailed investigation of the helicopter crash, assuring that, all necessary steps would be taken to unravel the problems that led to the incident.

    Receiving the team, Dickson who described the incident as a monumental tragedy reaffirmed his administration’s commitment and support for the investigation.

    He commended the Chief of Naval Staff and the team for their prompt response by visiting the state to carry out an assessment tour of the crash site at Okoroba community in Nembe Local Government area of the state.

    While sending his condolences to the government and people of Kaduna State over the death of former Governor Patrick Yakowa, Governor Dickson lamented that the late Yakowa was in Bayelsa for an important mission, but ended up dying.

    He also eulogized the late Azazi, saying “we have lost one of our best who means so much to the state and has contributed towards nation building.”

    Meanwhile, the Nigerian Navy has constituted a board to unravel the remote and immediate causes of its helicopter crash.

    The Chief of Training and Operations, Rear Adm. Emmanuel Ogbor announced the constitution of the board at a news conference in Abuja on Monday.

    He said that the members, who are aircraft investigation specialists, are drawn from Agusta Westland, the manufacturer of the ill-fated aircraft and other aviation regulatory agencies as provided by extant regulations.

    Ogbor said that some components of the helicopter that could assist the board to carry out its investigation had been recovered.

    “It is expected that the board will come out with the remote and immediate causes of the accident with far reaching recommendations that will forestall future occurrence,’’ the News Agency of Nigeria quoted Ogbor at the briefing.

    He explained that the Navy’s helicopters, including the NN07, which crashed on Saturday, were properly maintained and serviced regularly, in accordance with the manufacturer’s specification.

     

     

     

     

     

  • Presidential Panel on Flood not political, says Akunyili

    Presidential Panel on Flood not political, says Akunyili

    Promises made to flood victims will be fulfilled, a member of the Presidential Committee on Flood Disaster and Rehabilitation, Prof. Dora Akunyili, said yesterday. The former Information Minister told flood victims at Yelwa in Lapai Local Government Area of Niger State during her one-day official visit that the rumour that they would be dumped was political.

    She described the allegation that the presidential committee was set up by the government to score political points as a mischief, saying flood victims were not members of a political party; neither were the government’s efforts aimed at alleviating the plight of members of a political party.

    Prof. Akunyili said that the promises made by the government, citizens, corporate bodies and the international community would be fulfilled, adding that the promises and the committee have no political undertone.

    “In the wake of the flood disaster, promises made by the Federal Government and the setting up of the Presidential Committee on Flood Disaster and Rehabilitation were not political. The intention was to bring succour to the victims,” she said.

    The ex-minister said the Federal Government’s commitment to the plight of the flood victims informed the visit of members of the committee to the people.

    She said: “We will continue to give them relief materials. We will ensure that they are comfortable and will resettle them. The expenditures will be published in the national newspapers for accountability and transparency.”

    Mrs. Akunyili also assured the victims that the government would ensure they have a more meaningful lifestyle and improved standard of living, adding that the funds raised would be used to alleviate their suffering.

    She said: “We will continue to visit these people and discuss with them. We care for them, love them and feel their pains. This is the message of hope we have for them.”

    The relief materials donated by the committee and the Aliko Dangote Foundation were later presented to the flood victims. They include, bags of rice, salt, cartons of Indomie noodles, kegs of palm oil, packets of sugar, packets of soap, cartons of detergent, 700 pieces of Cedar (Guinea Brocade), 700 pieces of Super Wax, among others.

     

  • N18.3bn Loan: Panel indicts Oyinola

    N18.3bn Loan: Panel indicts Oyinola

    Former Governor of Osun State, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, was guilty of leadership failure, the Commission of Inquiry set up by the state government to investigate a loan of N18.38 billion by his administration, said in its report.

    The commission which was chaired by Prof. Femi Odekunle, was set up by Governor Rauf Aregbesola in September and mandated to investigate the circumstances surrounding the procurement of the loan from United Bank of Africa Plc.

    The government also mandated the panel to investigate the conduct of Oyinlola, among other issues.

    The commission, which submitted its report to Aregbesola in Osogbo on Wednesday, blamed the former governor for heeding the advice of the state assembly at a “non-emergency circumstance.’’

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the panel recommended sanctions for the former governor for heeding the advice of the defunct State House of Assembly to take the loan at a “non-emergency circumstance.”

    The panel also recommended that Oyinlola be sanctioned for “irrational application of parts of such loan and for directing certain obvious reckless disbursement of the loan.”

    It blamed the former governor for approving an “unthinking Memorandum of Understanding that had turned out to be a fraud against the state.”

     

  • Edo: New panel begins sitting Wednesday

    Edo: New panel begins sitting Wednesday

    Edo State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal will on Wednesday begin fresh hearing in the petition filed by candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the July 14 gubernatorial election in the state, Major-General Charles Airhiavbere, challenging the victory of Governor Adams Oshiomhole in the poll.

    The tribunal’s newly reconstituted three-member panel is headed by Justice Muhammed. A. Pindiga while Justices C.M.A. Olotoregun Ishola and A. I. Kutigi will serve as members.

    Fresh hearing of Airhiavbere’s petition was sequel to the dissolution of the former panel headed by Justice Suleiman Ambrusa.

    Justice Ambrusa-led panel was dissolved following a petition to the Nigerian Judicial Council (NJC) by Counsel to Airhiavbere, Efe Akpofure.

    Akpofure alleged that Justice Ambrusa’s panel has been compromised.

     

  • Governor inaugurates 13-man panel

    Kano State Governor Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso has inaugurated a 13-member advisory committee on constitution review to articulate issues on the constitution and advise the government on the position to take.

    Members of the committee are: Alhaji Magaji Dambatta, the chairman; A.B. Mahmud, Secretary; Prof. Hafizu Abubakar, Prof. Dahiru Yahaya, Mallam Aminu Daurawa, Sheikh Karibullah Nasiru Kabara, Prof. Auwalu Yadudu.

    Others are: Alhaji Tanlo Yakassai, Prof. Isa Hashim, Lamido Ado-Bayero, Ahmed Rabiu, Hajia Naja’atu Mohammed and Mallam Maliki Kuliya.

    Kwankwaso said his administration has been attentive to national issues, adding that Kano State’s position should be articulated in them.

    The governor said Kano and its people would rely on the experience of the committee members, who he described as “wise people”.

    He urged them to be patriotic in discharging their duties.

    Kwankwaso reminded the committee members that they need to work hard because the position of the state must be properly articulated in the constitution.

    The governor urged the committee to incorporate the experiences of other stakeholders into their assignment.

    He said: “You should take a deep look at where we are now and chart a way forward for our state and our great country. We rely on your advice. Work together with members of the state and National Assembly and other stakeholders to ensure that Kano is well prepared for the exercise.”

    The committee Chairman, Alhaji Magaji Dambatta, hailed the governor for his foresight and ensuring that Kano is prepared for the exercise.

    He promised not to fail the governor and the people of Kano, even though the time for the assignment is limited.

    Dambatta said: “We thank you for selecting us out of the millions of people in Kano to examine the issues and advice accordingly. We are all aware that constitutional review has always generated controversy and tension. This is to be expected. What is not to be expected is the self-serving way many of our compatriots approach the matter.